The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-11

The Worcester hfgnroad, when IL HoS passed the village of Cracking, turns away to the right behind the great clump of oaks where it was said the Druids used to hold their rites. From this the road twists to the left again, making a double curve, and then runs to Norling Parva in a clear stretch Of some miles before reaching the sharp turn down the hill. From the latter village branches the by-road over the hill which Is the short cut to Norman stand.
 When Harold turned the corner un der the shadow of the oaks he saw belated road-mender. surrounded by some gasping peasants. pointing excit- edly in the distance. The man, who of course knew him, called to him to stop.
 What is it?" he asked, refining up.
 Tt be Squire Rowly's bays which have run away with him. Three on 'ern, all in a row, and comin' like the wind. Squire he had his reins all right, but they 'osses didn't seem to mind 'un They was fair mad and bolted The leader he had got frightened at the heaps Q stones theer. an the others took scare with him"
 Without a word Harold shook his reins and touched the horse with his whip. The animal seemed to under stand and sprang forward. cover ing the ground at a terrific pace, here might be serious danger. Three spirited horses in a light cart made for pace, all bolting in fright might end any moment in calamity. Never in his life did he ride faster than on the road to Norling Parva. Far ahead of him he could see at the turn. now and again, a figure running. Some h.H Ita cold he knew as we'll as though ne had seen 1t, the high cart swayins on one wheel round the corner as the maddened horses tore on their way; the one jerk too much, and the momentary reacation in the crash!....
 With beating heart and eyes afiame in his white face he dashed on. It was all too true. By the side Of the roadway on the inner curve lay the cart on its side with broken shafts. | The horses were prancing and stamp ing about the roadway not recovered | from their fright. Each was held by several men.
 And on the grass two figures were ! lying. Rowly who had of course been on the off-side. had been thrown fur thest. His head had struck the mile stone that stood back on the waste | ground before the ditch. There was | no need for any one to tell that his | neck had been broken. The way his | head lay on one side, and the twisted inert limbs, all told their story plain l enough
 Squire Norman lay on his back stretched out Some one had raised him to a sitting posture. and then lowered l him again. strengthening his limbs. He i did not therefore look so dreadfuId as | Rowly, but there yere signs of coming death in the stertorous breathing. the ooze of blood from nostrils and ears as well as mouth. Harold knelt down | by him at once and examined him. | Those who were round all knew him and stood back. He felt the ribs and | limbs; so far as he could ascertain by | touch no bone was broken. Just then the local doctor, for whom some one had run, arriveN in his gig. He too knelt down beside the injur- | ed man, a quick glance having satis- i fled him that there was only one pa tient requiring his care Harold stood up and waited. The doctor looked up, shaking his head. Harold could hard | ly suppress the groan which was ris- ing in his throat He asked:
 ''Is it immediate Should his daugh- ter be brought. here" tos .--..-r -r
 How long would 1t take her to ar river"
 Perhaps half an hour; she would not lose an instant"
 Then you had better send for her:
 T shall go at once" answered Har- old, turning to jump on his horse, which was held on the road.
 No, No!' said the doctor. send | some one else. You had better stay here yourself. He may become con- scious just before the end, and he may want to say something's" It seemed to Harold that a great bell was sounding in his ears. Before the end! Good God! Poor Stephen!"-But this was no time for sorrow, or for thinking of it. That would come later. All that was possible must be done; and to do one of the lads whom he knew could ride and said to him:
 Get on my horse and ride as fast | as ever you can to Normanstand. Send at once to Miss stephen and tell her that she Is wanted instantly Tell her that there has been an accident; that her father is alive, but that she must lay. She had better ride my horse back as it will save time. She will understand from the importance of | time. Quick"
 The lad sprang to the saddle and was off in a flash. Whilst Harold was speaking. the doctor had told the men, | who, accustomed to hunting accidents
 
 held 1t in readiness. to bring 1t closer. Then under his directions the Squire | was placed on the gate. The nearest house was only about a hundred yards away; and thither they bore him. He was lifted on a bed. and then the doctor made a fuller examination When he stood up he looked very grave and said to Harold:
 T greatly fear she cannot arrive in | time. That bleeding from the ears means rupture of the brain. It Is re- I.lieving the pressure. however. and he may recover consciousness before he dies. You had better be close to him We must keep the room clear. There is at present nothing that can be done | be suddenly. He will relapse and pro- bably die quickly"
 For perhaps a dozen minutes Harold waited in awful expectancy. With all his senses alert he kept his eyes on the ears in whose drums his pulses seemed strokes of his horse which was bearing stephen.
 All at once Norman opened his eyes and seeing him. said quietly, as hC looked around
 What place is this. Harold?"
 Martin's-James Martins, sir. Yol were brought here after the accident.
 Yes I remember" He shuddered ( little T saw poor Rowly's head hi the stone, then felt myself falling Am I badly hurt? can feel nothing
 T fear so. sir! I have sent for Step