The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-09

l he looked till he found a plot of level 1 grass and there he rested his horse for
 a moment. and patted his neck and 1 whispered in his ear. | Now, boy, now" he cried. The horse 1 sprang forward over the even ground 1 gathered himself together on the edge of l the abyss and flew into the air.
 Live together or die together" said l Alan Macdonald under his breath. Then he saw his horse falling short of
 the black rock-felt him strike against 1t was hurled forward with crash 1 clutched at something hanging from
 above and held dazedly to it-caught the 1 sound Of q woman's cry-clung mechan-
 ically to something, he did not know
 what-heard a dull thud. That must be ] his. horse fallen below--he would follow 1 in a moment-his hand seemed unclosing ] he was going. going. Then he re-
 membered no more for a time. 1 When he found the world again he was | lying in some long grass, he thought
 and there was something yet softer un-
 der his head. He could see nothing at l first but the mist and the swaying tops | of the trees He was not sure whether | he was dead or alive till he tried to stir
 and groaned for the pain. Then wo-
 mans face hung over him. framed in the
 mist-the face of Mary McAllister. "I thought" he said, in a faint voice unlike his own, q was dead" He lost 1 the face again and heard no answer. ''Perhaps,' he muttered, "I am." He
 tried to raise himself and barely stihed another groan. You must not move" said very gen l tie voice. You are badly hurt. very | badly. I fear" | "T do not fear for myself" he answered. l "only--are you Mary McAlister?' 1 "Yes." He tried to look round at her. | "Only be still,'' she entreated "I have sent for men to carry you. They will 1, come soon.' "Soon," he murmured Then he began to wander in his mind and clutched at the air. dreaming that he was hanging
 over the ravine, but he found two soft | hands holding his arms. You are not there now" she assured him. "You are safe, quite safe" He reused again.. "How-did it-happen?"
 "you were hanging by q dead branch. IT lifted you here' "I owe my life to you" He smiled as if the thought pleased him. My foe.' "I do not think" she whispered we are foes any more. You must not move" You saved my life" You have saved mine' 'eYou were not going to take the poison at home?'
 She shivered and suddenly he knew
 
 see your face again., he entreated, ''in case l should die" You shall not de' she vowed pas sionately, and bent over and let him see her face; and the tears were running down it. and one fell on his cheek. "The-the poison" he asked You would not have taken it?' Yes" she said, "I would" You will not now?-for the love of heaven. dear lady?' "Why did you take the leap?" He smiled falntly. For you" She looked right into his eyes "Why do you care so much for my lfe%
 Because he was dazed. the fine speeches that he had tried 10 fashion would not shape themselves to an end. So he said simply. "I love you.' Then she said, since you won my life. keep it. and do with it as you will"; and he turned to lok up at her without a moan at the pain "1f l rise q whole man." he said. q will give you my whole heart" She looked at him with a glitter in her eyes.
 And if you do not,' she said. "I will take iti''
 And because he was so helpless and his eyes pleaded with her so. she bent down her head and let him kiss her red lips.
 "ro live together or die together" she vowed.
 and his bandages. she whispered to him to use all his skill. For" she said. you hold two lives in your hand'
 Some said 1t was the leech's craft that