Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-10-07


abroad The rain held three days-a
regular autumn fr'Shet. How Anne
got through them she never under
stood Wilton pleaded manrnlly and
Nine. Trevor deliberately left her
alone whenever she vcnturud into the
big parlur the library. The long halls
or the incloscl back piazza. Anne did
not know IL. hut Wilton had said to
his aunt.
Il have got To- clinch things at once.
Mrs. Lee Is teaching Anne to laugh at
me. II let that happen | am lost AS
for the hoy. he don't count"
All through the last day Sunshine
felt II numb fear of herself She
seemed 10 be losing volltiOn. TO move
and speak automatically. II was only
by supreme effort of will she kept
TO the shelter OF her solitude. Wilton
did not call her aulibly. but she felt
In, lslblc. inaudibc forces drawing her
10 him. TO escape them she hung out
Of the open window. Needless of the
pouring rain In the dash Of IT, the
cool splaShing she found strength TO
resist the eerlc Influences. BY and by.
when the influences began 10 tug hard
or than ever. she ran away from them,
rushed downstairs. caught up her hat
and macintosh and stole ont to the
stables
They were deserted: groom and
conchman We're doing In the hayloft.
With trembling fingers she flung the
saddle upon Beauty. her pet mare,
looscd Dick from his kennel. then
clamhcrcd up and dashed away. the
puppy barking madly at Beauty's
heels. The rain still poured. hut sun
shine WAS bent upon seeking refuge
with Granny Bunch. She rode head
long. bending low over Bcauty's neck
and singing. The wind was roaring.
but she had no fear OF II. nor Of the
water when she came 10 the brook.
She saw II running bank full. turbid
and crested with drift. But Beauty
knew the ford by the landmark trees
on the other side. II should not be
more than breast deep anywhere. al
though the current was swift and
strong.
Beauty snortcd and paved as they
went In. but after the third step made
way beautifully Halfway across Sun
shine flung up her head. laughing
aloud. saying: I'm safe. safe. Maybe
I've been bewitched. Indeed. | think
50. But witchcraft and witches can't
cross running water. I'm so happy!
Happy as II freed bird"
She heard above the tumbling water
II hoarse shout In spite OF herself she
checked Beauty and listened Intcntly.
II came again. Wilton was crying TO
her: Come back. Back. Come. You
belong To- me. Gomez
She sat qulvering NIL through for the
space OF breath. then turned her
horse half about. moving little up
stream. Beauty was contrary. She
plunged willfully forward. lost her foot
ing. scrambled wildly. then went down.
head over ears. in swimming water
The ford had gravel bottom. and the
treacherous current had swept out
great holes In II. leaving quicksand
In between.
They came up together ten feet of.
the mare snorting and swimming gal
lantly She had struck what should
have been bottom. but was In truth
holding sand. As she foundered her
self free Sunshine became suddenly
cold. Wilton, she knew, could not
swim u stroke. and before he could
fetch help the water, still rising. would
have made an end OF Beauty and her
rider. The mare could swim until she
struck shoal water. but there the
quicksand would hold her. Quickly
the girl slipped out OF her numbering
rain cloak. flung away hat and gloves
and resolved to try her slight strength
against the raging stream. Just as she
was slipping down from the saddle
Dicky cried TO her from the other bank;
down. Go down. I'll meet you
on the big bending SYCAMORE
'Stay where you are" Wilton shout
ed behind her. II am going for
help" But before his cry had fairly
died away Beauty's head was down.
stream. with Sunshine holding It easily
yet strongly above the racing waves.
II was a hundred yards TO the big syca.
more, leaning far over the water. with
great horny branch almost parallel
with It's face.
Dicky scrambled out on the branch.
locked his legs about II and hung. head
down. to grasp Sunshine and raise her
high enough TO grip the big bough.
Hold tight. I'll have-you-up-in
"A minute" he painted. writhing up
himself
Once she was safe he kissed her
over and over. saying: Sunshine.
Sunshine. Suppose Granny had not
sent for me. never should have
known real sunshine again"
suppose. rather. you had not been
strong man." Sunshine said. hiding
her eyes In his breast Then, with a
quick rcvulsion: did you bring Dicky
the collar? II you did You can have
anything you please In return for H."