The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-08-23

resist the eerie influences. By and by,
when the influences began to tug hard
or than ever, she ran away from them,
rushed downstairs, caught up her hat
and macintosh and stole out to the
stables.
They were deserted; groom and
coachman were dozing In the hayloft.
With trembling fingers she flung the
saddle upon Beauty, her pet mare,
loosed Dick from his kennel, then
clambered MP and dashed away, the
puppy barking madly at Beauty's
heels. The rain still poured, but Sun
shine was bent upon seeking refuge
with Granny Bunch. She rode head
long, bending low over Beauty's neck
and singing. The wind was roaring,
but she had no fear Of II, nor OF the
water when she came to the brook.
She saw 1t running bank full. turbid
and crested with drift. But Beauty
knew the ford by the landmark trees
on the other side. 1t should not be
more than breast deep anywhere, al
though the current was swift and
strong. ......
Beauty snorted 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, 1 think
so. But witchcraft and witches can't
cross running water. I'm 80 happy!
Happy as a freed bird" ......... ..
She heard above the tumbling water
q hoarse shout In spite Of herself she
checked Beauty and listened intently.
1t came, again Wilton was crying to
her: Come haeki Back! Come! You
belong to me! Conner
She sat Quivering all through for the
space of q breath, then turned her
horse half about, moving a 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 a gravel bottom, and the
treacherous current had swept out
great holes in 1t, leaving a Quicksand
In between.
They came up together ten feet off,
the mare snOrting and swimming gal
lRntly. She had struck what should
have been bottom, but was In truth
holding sand. As she houndered her
self free Sunshine became suddenly
cold. Wilton, she knew, could not
swim a 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. I'll am going fol-
helpw But before his cry had fairly
died away. -Beauty's head was down,
stream, with Sunshine holding 1t easily
yet strongly above the racing waves
| II was hundred yards to the big syca
more, leaning far over the water, with
a great horny branch almost parallel
| with Its face.
Dicky scrambled out on the branch
locked his legs about 1t and hung, head
down, to grasp Sunshine and raise hel
high enough to grip the big bough.
Hold tight! I'll -you-up-ir
"a minuteT he painted, writhing W
himself.
| Once she was safe he kissed hel
over and over, saying: Sunshine
Sunshlne! Suppose Granny had moi
sent for mel l never should have
known real sunshine again"
Suppose: rather, you had not been g
strong man." Sunshine said, hiding
her eyes In his breast. Then, with g
quick revulsion: "Did you bring Dicky
the collar? If you did you can have
anything you please In return for 1t. >
'HThank you. l have all I want just
now" DIcky said masterfully, helping
her toward the tree trunk.