Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-17
"JV1at,s the mcaniao of t,ts7n

fore they had recovered from the con.
fusion l had darted into some shrub.
berry that bordered the spot.
Fortunately I knew my way and
made at top speed for the place where
l had left my horse had scarcely got
away when three shots rang out on the
night air, and then the place seemed
alive with men, whose shouts and cries
'and shots I heard all about the house
and stables and grounds.
/ tore across the lawn like hunted
thing, pausing only n moment to throw
my coat over my shoulders so as to
keep off some of the rain that was now
pelting down more heavily than ever;
but, thinking heard them behind me,
sped OH faster than before.
l felt myself growing weak now from
loss of blood and was Keeling badly
when reached the gate. By the mer-
cy of heaven the key was in it. and n
minute later had found my horse and
led him through. was in the act of
mounting when some one rushed
through the gate and called my name.
1t was Lota.
II was going to let YOU out of the
shed when l found you had escaped,
Fritz" she said. "And then came to
wait here by your horse. Are you
safe"
AT that instant the notes of n bugle
rang out, calling the men to mount.
"My darling child, you must not stop
here" cried, pressing my lips to hers.
II must not stay either. They know
the road must take, and in minute l
shall have the whole gang at my heels
and the countryside reused in pursuit
| Of me-"
ooh, it is terrible, it is terriblev she
sobbed. "Talie me with you. Fritz
They will kill me for this nights
work."
"My dearest, 1 dare not. My horse
could not possibly carry us both, and
we should be caught before we had
gone mile"
"Forgive me! know, know! But ]
am mad at having brought you to this
Goodby. God bless you, Fritz husband
even if / never see you again. she
cried.
1t was agony to leave her, but II
| would have been death to have taker
her. strained her to my heart, and
even as GU" lips met could hear my
| pursuels in the distance. My heart was
/ torn at the pain of leaving her, but
there was no other course.
| l clambered into the saddle, BEN
down for last caress and dashed of
along the pitch dark road at top speed
glad she did not know Of my wounds.
If had not known every step Of my
road, could not have escaped. After
half mile at mad gallop put my
horse at the low hedge by the roadside
and struck out n bee line across coun
try. 1t was heavy going and treacher
Gus, but it saved very considerable
| distance, and when emerged on to the
road again could hear nothing Of thu
1 troopers.
/ let my horse get his wind, there
fore, and waited until caught sount
of the men again before pricked for
ward once more at the gallop. l knew
Of another point where l could take ;
short cut, but this time l was delayed
by the very heavy going, and when
reached the road again l found thu
men close behind me.
A loud shout soon told me they hat
heard the sound of my horses hoofs
and 4 moment later they commenced ;
desultory dropping fire with their car
bines.
/ began now to despair. l was near
ing village where had come across ;
scouting party on my way out, while
my horse was beginning to feel the eff
fects of the big effort he had had t.
make.
But | set my teeth. drove my heel!
into his willing sides and resolved t.
hold on till he dropped or one of thei
chance bullets should hit me. l encour
aged him with words and carcsses al
well as the spur, and he seemed to fee
the danger as much as L.
AS clattered into the village look
ed eagerly ahead and around, and, tt
my infinite relief, there was not sigl
of the scouting party. But my pursu
ers were closing up behirl me- Will,
the shouts they sent I'D brought tn,