The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-10-03

Fl leila Stanton had gone TO f1orloa
18th the intention of taking up a
Il homestead; but had been at her
81 nrother-in-laws there three weeks now
,,ithout hearing of a single vacant
n aieoe one day he came in with a ra-
Nj diant face.
I'VE found prize for you. Leila, "
he exclaimed. "a German who lives
n two miles from here has just been left
n a fortune at home, and is going back
Ne entered his claim nearly three years
IA ago. and has made quite lot of i'm
movements; but of course he doesn't
N mind them now. He leaves this after
a neon, and then the land becomes pub
# lie property. I asked him if he ha6
III spoken of it to anyone, and he said
cnly to the postmaster. He received
n the news this morning, and told the
Fl postmaster about it. 1 have been able
y 10 do him some service, and when
r spoke about you he seemed pleased
Fl and said that he would like you tc
n have the land and the improvements
Fl He said he would like to think of the
IA place belonging to some of my people
NJ Now, the sooner you file your claim
the better i will go with you to-mor-
row. if you like"
n why not at once?" asked Leila
eagerly.
Il have an engagement this after
n noon, and can't possibly get off. But
IA wen start early in the morning.
n That might be too late. It's only
n fifteen miles to Gainesville. Why cant
Fl go alone?"
Fl "Well, I--don't know" thoughtfully
II hardly like the idea of your going
n alone. Still, time is important, as you
"a say, and the road is good, and you are
splendid rider. You could make it in
ri three hours, and spend the night with
. Mrs. Wilson. Under the circum.
II stances
Il would better go she interrupted
n Good Now, if you will please saddl,
h the horse. I will get ready"
Fl Her brother-in-laws place was in tn,
II outskirts of small town, and as h,
q went toward the stable he heard hast1
N footsteps outside the fence which sepa,
N rated him from the street, and present.
My strong, athletic figure vaunteC
"a over and came toward him.
n Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Clifford" tn.
n stranger said, hurriediy, but let m,
have a horse for a few hours? M,
II brother said that you kept the bes
horses in town.
Not to let, though" answered Mr.
II Clifford. rather coldly. Who is you
NJ brother?"
Henry Wayne, the postmaster. YOU
see, l only reached here to-day, anC
n Henry has been telling me somethint
which renders my presence in Games
E vile Imperative
"a Ali" Mr.. Chords "ah" was yer,
expressive, and he looked out across hi.
orange grove as though in search IF al
answer to some unspoken thought.
IA Il am in a great hurry" limited Mr.
x Wayne, after a prolonged silence, IAN.
will pay you WELL"
Il want no pay" hastily. Then Will
M a sudden change of voice: Yes,
n think can let you have a horse, bu
do not warrant his speed"
Leading the way to the stable, h,
III pointed to large gray.
That is the strongest one in tn,
stable" he said; you can have him i
you like. The black is faster, but 1 re
serve him especially for the side sad
a die; and the two bays have been work
ing this morning."
Five minutes later he led the blacl
horse TO the stile. Leila was waiting
III Who was that gentleman" sh,
"A asked.
"A Mr.. Wayne. He is going to Gain
esville. I let him have the gray horse.
n The gray horse!" she echoed, al
She sprang lightly into the saddle
Why, that is the plow horse. He coulC
4 go faster on foot"
so l think" coolly, "but found h,
is after the very piece of land 1 tolC
you about. He has gone by the mail
road; you must take the short Gu
through the live oaks. That will saw
you two miles. and allow you to avoic
MIN. He might recognize the blacl
morse" He took slip of paper from
ms pocketbook and handed 1t to her
that contains all the necessary in
formation about the homestead" h
admonished. Give it to the clerl
whose name is on the back. He know
me- and will see that your entry il
made correctly. Now go, and DON
spare the whip"
Leila was good rider, as he hat
said, and it was not long before sh
mad passed through the live oaks to tn
man road. The stranger was not ii
sight
For half an hour she sped on. tn
morse taking the road almost as light
~ as a bird; then suddenly a piece O
newspaper ratified across their path
and the horse SHE'D violently, throw
ing her into the bushes.
fortunately. she was not much hurt
out as she rose to her feet a shar
LWlnge told her that one Of her ankle
was sprained. The horse was nibblin
tussock grass a few yards away.
M Dick, Dick! Come, Dick!" sh
coaxed, limping toward him.
But Dick was in a playful mood, an
as she advanced he retreated. She fol
loWed him several rods, then h
Mhlrled and trotted back over the roa
IIeX nl a al Al.l.. IL