The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-04-12

the viaduct was broken, and that her course lay down the steep roadway to the bottom of the little valley. He rode in earnest now: the sloping curved road was so short that if he was 10 stop the mare the effort should pc made at once. He rode close by her, his powerful horse keeping pace al most without effort, and said quietly to the girl:
 Try to hold her in if ever so little. tn ere is a steep road which you must go down. The viaduct is broken ana the road barred.''
 'I can't" she said. "she has the bit and I am powerless." He struck his heels sharply and the black horse bounded forward. The girl saw the movement and understood:
 Take care" she said quickly, "One policeman tried that and was thrown over. he may be kilIed.'' As she spoke. the words died on her lips: they hao rounded the curve and the danger ahead lay open to them. It was choice of evils: dash down the steep incline with maddenedN mare, or crash against the barrier cutting of the viaduct.
 But the woman had no choice; the maddened mare took her own course Down the curving slope she daSheo was made of heavy balks of timber below, hut the rails above were light These she broke through as she leap ed; hurling a cloud of broken rails ana SpunC6rS TlSnC ana lSIC. ne SlTl lAeAd nerved herself to the effort when she had seen what was coming and held up as at a jump on the hunting field
 The moment that Athlyne had req lized the situation he too was ready Seeing that the mare was making for the right side of the barrier he went for the left. and they leaped together. The instant they had landed on the other the mare. Ahead of them was the chasm-with death beneath. The girl saw it and her pale face grew ashy white. Athlyne. riding level and hold ing his reins in his left hand, hurried ly cried:
 Loose your stirrup and when I get my arm around you take hold of my collar with your left hand. Then try to jump to me as I pull you towards me-
 The girl 1oosened her boot from the stirrup and let go her reins. bending towards him as his arm went round her waist and catching his collar as directed.
 Cor he cried and she sprang to- wards him as well as she could. He drew ner towards him with al! his strength. and in a second the girl was landed on the pommel of his saddle She knew what she had to do: to leave his right hand free, so she clasp ed both her arms round his neck. He pulled at his reins with all his might it was two lives now-and cried to the horse. The noble animal seemed to understand and threw himself back on his launches.
 He stopped only a few yards from the open chasm. into which the mare went with a wild rush.
 Athlyne slid from the saddle, holding the girl in his arms. As the terrible danger came to an end her eyes closed and she sank SenSeleSS to the ground.
 Then the deluge!
 Through the barrier, which appeared to melt away before them, came rush of people. Some were on horse back, some on foot. others in buggies carriages. motor cars. Foremost came Colonel Ogilvie who leaped the road descended. circling round the elevation of which had manifeSt1y been trained to timber. At last several mounted police fearing that some terrible ac cidcnt might occur from the crowding on the viaduct ranged themselves in front of the opening and protected it till the coming of a. sufficient number of policemen. on foot and panting, had arrived to hold it.