The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-07-08

about culuvating pair OF eyes in the back
of your head think the time has about
come when You'll need them When
Moreo can't be lion, he makes first
rate coyote :
After supper the men rolled themselves
in their blankets, and using their saddles
as pillows, were soon asleep-with one ex-
ception. Lomax, though weary with the
days work, found himself listening for the
Mexican return, and about midnight he
came. Calistra rode quietly up, gave the
sleepers keen look, then, riding as near
as he dared to Raven, dismounted, keeping
his horse between him and the men.
Quickly he drew something from his pocket
and tossed it toward Raven. The animal
bent his nose to the ground, and when he
raised his head Lomax saw he held some
thing in his mouth which he proceeded to
MUNICH The Mexican then turned away,
unsaddled and lariated his horse and lay
down.
The dominant feeling in the breast of
I.omax as he watched, was that Of anger
at the dark plotting of the other; but min
gled with this was the satisfaction that the
fellow yilliany, whatever it was, had been
forestalled, and so thinking, he soon fell
asleep
He was awakened by two pistol shots,
fired in rapid succession, and he opened
his eyes to see the first tinge of dawn in
the east, and Moreo standing a few yards
away holding smoking revolver in his
hand and looking across the prairie.
''Well that's the first time in years
have missed as biz bird as that on the
wing Not enough light said Moreo. -
But, by. There 20 the cattle
Who would have thought they would break
for q little thing like that? To your horses,
boys. but don try to mill them till they
have crossed the road Make them bear
a little towards the ranch and let them 90
for a few miles
This IS heavy card, whispered
Bnnkley to I.omax, as they spraug to sad
die But whether it is his biggest or
not don know If You saw bird just
now, YOU saw more than Moreo did
Lomax made no reply, but rode after
Cllistra every sense on the alert.
On rushed the cattle, the earth trembling
beneath them. They drew nearer the
prairievile ruad. and I.omax thought he
deserted far in front ! black speck on the
bosom Of the pairies. He turned to call
the attention ut Calistra TO it. but was re-
strained hy the diabolical look of salts
faction he saw on his face, as his eyes
seemed glued to the object in front -
Without speaking. he gazed forward, and
saw that the object was a horse and rider.
Suddenly the horse stopped, and It's rider
made frantic efforts to force it onward, but
in vain CHANGING at the Mexican, he
caught him looking at Raven, an expires
sion Of troubled surprise in his eyes. He
shifted his gaze to the front. Lonax fol
lowed it-and now he kew the rider was
Stella Wharton, aud the plot fased upon
him-the Mexican had designedly brought
the cattle iu on the side next TO PraIrieyille;
he had ridden to the ranch tn make sure
that Stella intended taking her usual ride
in for the mail; he had attempted TO drug
Raven 10 prevent efforts for rescue he had
stampeded the herd at an hour when II was
easy 10 do 80, and most horrible of all, he
had drugged Stella pony, and made it
helpless in the face Of the herd Of frenzied
cattle
You scoundrel T. he roared, as Raven
cleared the space which separated them.
IL took but 4 moment, yet It gave Moreo
time to draw and FIRE. For once, how
ever. be missed, the bali leaving red line
along Lomax ; temple Then he was lift
cd from his saddle by a terrific blow from
the fist Of his intended victim.
Is Lomax dashed on he heard several
shots behind him, aud he wondered amid
the tumult OF thoughts which surged upon
him. how one could shoot after receiving
such blow But he felt himself and his
horse untouched, and urged the noble ami
NAL forward As he never had before. He
must rescue the woman he loved or die III
the attempt She was barely half mile
distant and was more than two hundred
yards within the space covered by the herd
Tie was one hundred yards from the front
line of horns. Could he gain, even with
his strong horse, tive or three hundred
wards on the cattle within half mile p
Could he save her He could at least die
trying
On. Raven, on Her life, mine aud
yours depend upon you now We live or
die together, good horse leaning forward
and patting the glossy neck. And Raven
responded as though he understood every
wor6. He dashed past the laundering
cattle almost as though they were walking.
They have passed the mass, and Lomax
turns his horse in Stellas direction As
he drew near, She raised her head, and
brave smile fitted across her pale face.
Sending his voice in advance, he cried;
Turn Your pony head the other way;
hold steady; take your foot from the stir
rup and Weld to mel'' She obeyed.
Slackening his speed as he came up,
Iomax leaned forward, lifted her slender
form in his arms, and Dashed on again,
turning Raven head across the face Of
the resistleSs avalanche behind them. As
did 50, he glanced back over his shoulder,
and his heart for moment sank, for,
even in that slight pause, the herd was al
most upon them. Could Raven beat them
with his double BURDEN Would the drug
take effect after alp were thoughts which
passed rapidly through the mind of John
LomaX.
As Stella was lifted from the ponys
back, the animal made desperate effort
to follow Raven, but appeared to be inca
pable of forward movement. Now, as the
sweeping mass struck her, she uttered a
cry almost human, and her mistress hear
ing it, shuddered.
Raven stumbled slightly, but recovered
himself; and yet the accident, slight as it
was seemed to freeze the blood in Lomax 5
body. Looking down in the beautiful
face, 50 very pale and still, resting against
his manly shoulder, he groaned aloud;
1T is but meet that we should die to
gether, oh, God, in Thy good time and
way; but not thus not thus
Better thus with you than peacefully
with any other, she murmured. But
| feel safe now, and we will escape,
She was right Fifty yards further on,
and they rode into safety But there was