The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-07-18

bay gelding. whinnied softly In his
loose box. He knew the little fingers
that slipped the bit between his velvet
lips. aud he laid his handsome head
against her curls In mute caress as the
saddle was girted. Harry Clay had
never carried that weight before. and
when the Tapping riding skirt struck
his withers the fine ears lay close as he
reared and paved the air. with the thin
nootrils fiared, but a whisper. q touch
upon the name. and he dropped into a
light canter along the footpath. his feet
making no sound upon the turf
Fifteen miles to Hungerford's. and
four hours yet until the dawn. Harry
Clay quickens his stride as clock
from q farmhouse chimes out. Zone.
two." and they have passed the brick
church at the forks OF Otter creek.
where she had knelt so often at her
mothers side. Three" and the white
road runs backward under the flying
hoofs. The moments speed. and they
gallop into the shadow Of Hunger
ford's woods A dim old moon was
shining. and break in the trees let
In the light full on the girls face.
There was q rustic in the shadows Of
the roadside. and the same rough voice
cried out: THAT girl OF Montague's on
the bay colt-stop her. Whoa. therer'
But Anne brought the whip down on
Harry Clay's dank. Not quite swift
enough. for q pistol shot rang out, an
other and yet another. and she felt a
dull shock as Harry Clay. maddened
by the reports and the Insult OF blow,
tore down the white stones OF the road,
the fire dashing under, the iron shod
hoofs-on and on. while the miles
rolled back In the dark and the gray
Of dawn came over the hills There
was something warm and wet that
trickled down the great bays shoulder
as the little figure swayed and clung to
the saddle. As the gold broke along
the east q horseman rode out OF the
woods In the opposite direction. the
same that had walked his horse and
talked with the pretty child two years
agone.
The reins dropped on Harry Clay's
neck rs Andrew Jackson rode along
side just In time to catch her as she
reeled from the. saddle. and then. with
her head against his heart. the little
| maid sobbed out her story. while the
| sweet face grew paler and the wild
roses died from the pretty cheeks as
the drip. drip Of the blood went pat
tering down
The grim. dark face hardened into
| steel as he beckoned to the negro that
rode little behind him.
Go back to the farm and tell them
to make ready. and. mind you. lose nc
time in sending for the doctor" Very
carefully and slowly he rode. bearing
the light weight, while the still facs
lay against bis breast. smiling dream
lily.
At the farmhouse all was hustle and
stir. Mistress Hungerfords capable
hands laved the wounds and made all
sweet and clean In the chamber where
they carried her to await the coming
OF the doctor.
Very quiet and still she lay when hs
came to bid her farewell His face
was sad and stern when he barred hi.
head by the low white bed where Anns
lay. They two were alone when Ahns
opened her great gray eyes on the facs
Of her dreams. and In that look hs
whose heart lay buried In q woman'i
grave in Tennessee read the old story
sanctified in the white shrine of thu
ma.e.S.;; sss.s,l: re-.d aiso.-Yith a soldiers
unerring knowledge. the whitenesl
about the pretty mouth. The stern fac
grew tender and the eagle eyes wer'
dimmed as he leaned to that unspokel
prayer. laying his lips upon the whit
ones beneath. that quIvered a momen
and were still.
The chiid's eyes looked beyond tn
hills at last