Evening star., 1902-08-23

| they must do it quick. IL at ALL II was
useless. He seemed conscious Of but one
| loea, that he must drive the fighting ami
| mas out into the passage to save her.
She was not afraid now. The mans pres
ence had driven that all away. Even at
the coming of Lauzanne she had felt that
somehow she would come through the terri
bic melee safely.
1t was useless to speak to him Of the
window. neither would go first: so with her
riding whip she fought side by side with
Mortimer. springing back from the swift
cutting forefeet. sometimes even huggng
close TO the side of horse he lashed
out from behind. and once saving Morti-
mer from being cut down by pulling him
swiftly from under raised foot.
!. In the end the stations were forced out
into the passage, just as Mike came rush
ing on the scene
But the battle had warmed. Twice Dia-
bio had been pulled to his knees. forced
down by the fierce strength that was Lau-
zannes; the black was all but conquered.
The trainers voice checked Lauzanne's
fury; even the boy had plucked up courage
to return. and between them the chestnut
was driven into his stall.
All the fight had been taken out Of Dia-
bio. He struggled to his feet and stood
trembling like a horse that had come out of
fierce cutting race. On his arms were
the marks of LauZanne's teeth, where they
had snapped like the jaws of trap. From
MS crest trlckled red stream that dripped
to the floor like water from running cave.
All the fierce fire of hate had gene from his
eye. He hung his head dejectedly and his
fankS vibrated like a silken flag in the
wind.
Lauzanne, too, bore evidence of the vic
ious strife. On one quarter where Diablos
sharp hoof had ripped was cut as though
he had been lashed with sickle, and his
withers were torn.
Mortimer and Alis had come out of the
stall, and the man, exhausted by the strug-
gle, leaned wearily with pale. drawn face
against the wall; the floor seemed slipping
from under him; he felt a sensation of
swiftly passing off into nothingness. He
was just sleepy, that was all, but slcopi-
ness to fight against ;'he must still light.
You are badly hurt 1t was the girlS $
voice. He was almost surprised that he
recognized it, everything was so confused.
He answered heavily, Yes, Im-Tm-I
Want-to lie down"
Mikes voice this time. This is bad busi-
ness the trainer was saying: 1--WE must
get him out of this; he's nearly knocked
out. Are you all right, miss?' turning TO
Allis
The wounded man turned guiltily he had
forgotten the girl. Yes. surely she had
been in that hell of noises with him, fight
ing, too.
I'm just frightened. that's ALL" answer
ed Allis. Mr. Mortimer saved me"
Had he? he wondered. How had he
come in there, anyway. His mind refused
to work out the problem, his side was so
sore.
Your arms broke" said Mike, passing
to MortimerS right side. Come, lean on
me, sir Can. you walk? I'll put you in
the buggy and drive you to the house"
At the first step Mortimer staggered and
swayed like a drunken man. In his side
were many sharp things pulling nm down
like graphing irons; on his head was
great heavy weight that crushed his feet
into the hard planlSs; his knees gave way
under this load, and he would have fallen
but for Mikes strong arm.
I'm afraid-;' then he set his teeth
hard, his voice had sought to end the SEN
tence in groan of anguish; the thing that
was tearing at his side had whistled in his
lungs.
Alis stepped forward swiftly and pass
ing her arm about his waist helped Mike
lead him to the door. Twice she put her
left hand up and brushed away the tears
from her eyes; the struggle had unnerved
her. Very helplessly against her swayed
the man she had laughed at and ridiculed
not half hour before. And he had been
crushed saving her, But that was not why
the tears came-not at all She was un-
strung.
And he's got grit she kept muttering
to herself; "he has never even groaned."
Together they succeeded in getting him
into the buggy; then gently Mike drove to
the house.
(To be continued)