The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-31

laeemingly the afternoon riding party
was the last thing his tottering mind had
dwelt upon. Delfina screamed and tainted
when her brother menaced her with his
knife. The mailman, with strange ex-
preston, his eyes big and staring with
pent hysteria, regarded the form of his
sister for a moment. Then he lightly
picked her up, flung her across the back
Of Chiquita, and began to lash her to
the saddle as he had dashed her dummy"
figure in the merry race of a few days
before. The servants screamed and
wrung their hands, but none of them
dared attempt her rescue. His work
finished the frenZied man gave Chiquita
a sharp cut with the whip and she
jumped and plunged up the road, then
settled into a frightened gallop. Antonio
then leaped upon Lola's horse, wildly
flashing the snorting animal and shout
ing at the top of his voice, Race, race
race"
He was scarcely out of sight in whirl-
wind of dust when Gomez came riding up
to the house. The frightened Lola told
him Historically all that had happened,
and he galloped off toward the hills on
the track of the mailman and his Victim.
little later the tardy Brabant dashed
up, eager for the afternoon ride with his
sweetheart. Again the half-demented Lo-
la repeated the sad story, but this time
she omitted any mention of the love po-
tion. All she could say was that "Anto-
MO had gone suddenly loco" fresh
horse was saddled and Brabant hurried
after Gomez.
In the defiles Of the Diablo Gorge Co
mez came upon signs that showed him
the mailman was fast exhausting his
furiously ridden animal. At the head of
the gorge he caught sight of the de-
mented man still savagely flashing the
lathered horse But it was no use, for
the staggering animal fell within few
rods of where Chiquita lay with Delfina
dashed to her back. The mailman rushed
toward her and began flashing the black
mare with his whip, still loudly shouting,
Race, race. racer
Went Over the Cliff.
Gomez slackened the gait of his horse
eyed the demented man sharply for a
moment, then coolly began to make ready
his lasso. A moment later the moose
was about the arms and body of Antonio
He gave a half hitch around the POM
mel and at the word his well-trained
animal strained slowly on the rope, there
by keeping the struggling man on the
ground. But Antonio, in his frenzy
seemed possessed of the ferocity of
twenty tigers. He scrambled repeatedly
the ground. So the fight went on,
the crest of Diablo's head, Gomez trying
his best to wear out the physical en-
durance of the mailman -~MS whirl his
lasso about him so as to bind him, but
Antonio seemed to divine his object, and
like a cat he scrambled. tore, and whirl-
ed to escape the tolls of that sinuous,
plated rope With every energy bent on
the sharp struggle Gomez did not notice
that he was gradually working his horse
backward toward the edge of the preci-
pice of Diablo's Head. The mailman was
beginning to show signs of exhaustion,
and Gomez bent to his work with re-
doubled energy.
In the midst of 1t came the clatter Of
galloping hoof beats up the canyon road.
Gomez knew that help was at hand,
but Me dared not take his eyes off An
tonic Brabant came in sight of the
struggling men, and saw at glance
what was needed.
Hold him a second. Gomez, and we'll
have him safe" he shouted as he I'M
time was never given. The mailman
heard the voice and sprang GLe a cat.
Gomez whirled his backing horse to jerk
his victim off his feet and the animal
stumbled on the edge of the precipice.
There was a snort of terror, wild cry,
and horse, rider. and lasso-bound mad
man went tearing over that dizzy edge.
Brabant looked over the precipice and
knew he could do nothing for them. His
care now was to get Delfina home. After
that was accomplished he sent poems to
bring in the bodies of Antonio and Go
mez Gomez bad been guarded slightly
by the body of his horse, and though
mortally injured he had still a spark Of
life life in him. He fingered only short
time but it was long enough for him to
confess the part he took in the tragedy
When poor simple Lola saw the body
of her Cousin Antonio cold in death she
went to her room, locked the door, and
when the servants broke it open they
found her sleeping the sleep that knowns
no waking. She had left a little note for
Delfna, a heart-broken plea for forgive
ness.
They buried Lola, Antonio, and Gomez
side by side, for death had wiped out all
bitterness. Then Delfina went to the
Perez home in the City of Mexico,
whittier Ford Brabant will soon go to
claim her as his bride.