Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03

| I jumped from the wagon and held out
| my hand as she sprang lightly from the
wheel to the ground. 1t was still raining,
| put the thunder was sounding fainter with
every rumble, and there were signs of a
| break IN the clouds to the west as we
| peered from our shelter
| Suppose we saddle the horses and be
ready to start as soon as the rain stops /
suggested. We won't have long to wait "
very wei, put let's rub the poor things
down first she responded. Bring Dolly
out, please, and I'll take care of her Is
there "a cloth or brush lying anywhere
around?"
I'm afraid Wen have to use wisps of
hay. | answered glancing about me.
| well, II were not the most selfish cou-
| PIE" she exclaimed, contritely Talk
| about dogs in the manger! Think of our
making cushions of this hay with two hun
| CRY horses under our eyes. It's shameful.
And now to rub them down with itr'
That is really rubbing it in-isn't ft?'
laughed. as l drew off Doily's canvas
| blanket and red her out from behind the
! wagon.
| Poor Dolly murmured Miss Barbara,
! sympathetically You shall have a bite,
| dear anyway, while l brush you Off"
L shall never forget the business-ike man.
| ner in which my companion rolled up her
| sleeves and hummed to the mare as she
| swept over its glossy coat. 1t was evident
| that this was not the first time She had
| officiated at Dollys toilet and l can tes-
| tify that she performed it with no mex
| pert hand.
The sky had grown dark again as we
| worked, but by the time the saddles were
on and the girths adjusted the rain had
stopped, and concluded that we had bet
ter make the best of the opportunity and
| again.
Lets run for it, | suggested.
Very WELL" she answered, motioning me
10 SWING her into the saddle. Lets ride
TO the livery stable, leave the horses there
and then III take you to the dearest little
| hot t-l,1 A1a.,x =
a distant rumble reached our ears
| swung her into the saddle. and rushing
INTO the road looked in the direction of the
noise. One glance was sufficient. and dart
ing back TO the shed 1 sprang upon my
horse.
It's runaway team coming this way
just crossed the bridget! / shouted, urg-
ing my horse forward
What are you going 10 dor, she ex
claimed, following me closely
stop 1t If cam l answered. Look out
for YOURSELF"
The team was less than a hundred wards
away as l spoke. and it was coming an
Whirlwind speed, but I calculated that the
heaVy coach, which was swerving from
side TO side. and the slight upgrade would
check the frightened horses before they
reached my stand. Even as this thought
crossed my mind their pace slackened. and
then to my amazement saw the driver
raise his whip and lay lash after lash IInon
their quivering tanks.
"Stopi The mans mad. Don't try,
A piercing Shrek from the carriage cut
of my companions warming and in an
other instant the team was upon me. L
was in full motion when my hand graspa5
the rein of the nigh horse, and for few rods
we tore along together. Then suddenly I
felt glancing blow on my head the coach
struck bow1der, and the driver was hurled
headlong from his seat. The relaxed reins
gave me the necessary purchase and nv
first effort proved that the team eould
easily be controlled-if I could only keen
them in the road, bat as ! pulled they
crowded me to one side, and I was soon
lighting to save myself. Closer and closer
they pressed me to the bank until il was
no safer to let them go and have the car
rage crash into me than II was to cling
on and risk being crushed under their hoofs
Suddenly felt them swerve from the bank.
and glancing to the right I saw Barbara
F'rayne clinging to the bride of the off
horse, and before another hundred yards
were covered the runaways wese at a
stand-still. painting with exhaustion and
auivering in every limb.
Bravo. and well ridden, conradet' /
shouted, as soon as I could speak .An-
other moment and I'd have been done for.
owe you--
The passengers she gasped. pointing
TO the carriage.
/ leaped from my horse and running to
the coach tried to open the door, hut ind
ing the handle missing, thrust my head
through the open window and peered In
Side In the farther corner covered the
housekeeper, Madeieine Mapes, with the
Field sirl lying unconscious ID her arms.
(To be continued teuzQKf6N