Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-08-27
CHAPTER w.

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her arms, and master the frightened
horse sufficiently to allow her to de-
scend. thorn tree tortured by the
winds stood solitary at little dis
lance, at a mound which indicated the
presence Of former embankment.
Barbara brought the cob and gig 10 it,
there descended, and fastened the
horse to the tree. Then she helped
her sister out Of the vehicle.
DO not be alarmed, Eve. There Is
nothing here supernatural TO dismay
you, only pair Of farmers who have
been drinking, and one has tumbled
off his horse. We must see that he
has not broken his neck But Eve
chung to her in frantic terror, and
would not allow her to disengage her
self. IN the meantime, by the sickle
moon, now sailing clear of the clouds,
they could see that the first rider had
reined in his horse and turned
Jasper! he called what is the mat
ter%
No answer came. He rode back to
the spot where the second horse had
fallen, and dismounted.
What has happened?' screamed the
boy. I must get down also
The man who had dismounted
pointed to the white stone and said,
Hold the horse and stay there till you
are wanted. I must see what cursed
mischance has befalIen Jasper
Eve was somewhat treasured at the
sound Of human voices, and she al
lowed Barbara to release herself, and
advance into the road.
Who are you asked the horseman.
Only a girl. Can I help? Is the
man hurt?'
Hurt, Of course. He hasn't fallen
into a feather bed, Or-by good luck
into a furze brake
The horse that had fallen struggled
to rise.
Out of the way, said the man, /
must see that the brute does not
trample on him He helped the horse
to his feet; the animal was much
shaken and trembIed. Hold the
bride, girl Barbara obeyed. Then
the man went to his fallen COmrade
and spoke to him, but received no
answer. He raised his arms, and
tried if any bones were broken, then
he put his hand to the heart. Give
the boy the bride, and come here, you
girl Help me to loosen his neck
cloth. Is there water near?'n
None; we are at the highest point
of the moor
Damn it! There is water every
where in over-abundance in this
country, except where it is wanted
He is alive said Barbara, kneeling
and raising The head of the srostrate,
insensIb BILE man. He is stunned, but
he breathes.'
'Jasper! shouted the man who was
unhurt, for Gods sake wake up. You
know I cant remain here all night
No response.
This is desperate. l must press for
ward. Fatalities always occur when
most inconvenient. l was born to i'll
luck. No help, no refuge near
am by as help; my home not tar
distant, said Barbara, for a refuge.
o yes-you! What sort OF help is
that? Your house! l can't diverge
five miles out of my road for that
We live not half an hour from this
point
% yes-half an hour multiplied by
ten. You women don't know how to
calculate distances, or give decent
direction
The blood is flowing from his mead,
said Barbara; it is cut. He has fallen
on a stone
What the devil is to be done. l
cannot stay
Sir said Barbara, of course you
stay by your comrade. Do you think
to leave him half dead at night to the
custody Of two girls, strangers, on a
moor?
You don't understand, answered
the man; I cannot and l will not stay
He put his hand to his head. How
far 10 your homer
1 have told you, half-an-hour.'
Honour bright-no more?'
l said. half-an-hour.'
Good God, Watt! always a fooI?'
He turned sharply towards the lad
who was seated on the stone. The
boy had unslung a violin from his
back, taken it from its case. had placed
it under his chin. and drawn the bow
across the strings.
Have done, Watt! Let go the
horses, have you. What a fate it is for
man to be numbered with helpless,
useless companions
Jasper's horse is lame answered
the boy, so I have tied the two to-
gether, the sound and the cripple, and
neither can get away.
Like me with Jasper. Damnation-
but must go. I dare not stay.
The boy swung hisabow in the moon
light, and above the raging of the wind
rang out the squeal of the instrument.
Eve looked at him, scared, He
seemed some goblin perched on the
stone. trying with his magic fiddle q
work a spell on all who heard its
tones. The boy satisfied himself thai
his violin was in order, and then put
it once more in its case, and cast il
over his back
How is Jasper?' he shouted; but the
man gave him no answer.
Half-an-hour! Half an eternity L
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