The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-12-28
Copyrsnt. oy A L MeClurg a Co
Fntered AZ Ssau~ Hall London

loved her doubly now, for she had
proven herself a woman among wom-
en- in time of danger and trial. How
clearly her face, with those dark
sweet eyes and the wealth of crown.
ing hair, rose before me, while word
by word | reviewed all that had passed
between us, dwelling upon each look
or accent that could evince her pos
sible interest in me. Then reason re-
turned to my aid and resolutely, de-
terminedly. inspired by every instinct
of solderly honor, | resolved that |
would put her from my thoughts for
ever She was not mine either to love
or possess, unless the uncertain fate
of war SHOULD chance to set her free.
Even to dream of her, to cherish her
in memory while she remained the
wife of another, was but an affront to
her purity and womanhood. | would
prove myself a man entitled to her
respect, a soldier worthy my service
and corps; If ever again my name
chanced to find mention in her pres
ence 1t should be spoken with honor.
was musing thus, lulled by the
steady lope of my horse, and totally
iLsensible to any possibility of peril.
when clear upon my ears, instantly
awakening me from such reverie,
there rang through the night silence
the sharp clang of iron on the road
behind me. All sound of pursuit had
long since died away, and | supposed
tha affort IN racaptura mo had haan
abandoned. But there was no mis-
taking now-at least one horseman,
riding recklessly through the black
night. was pressing hot upon my trail.
The lieutenant" / thought, "the
lieutenant, burning with anger at the
trick played upon him, has pushed far
ahead of his troop, doubtless mounted
upon a better horse, determined to
risk everything If he may only bring
me back dead or alive"
This thought awoke me in an In
stant from my dreaming, and /
spurred my horse furiously, glancing
anxiously backward as | rode, but un-
able through that dense gloom to dis
tinguish the form of my pursuer. Yet
the fellow was coming, coming faster
than any speed | could possibly con
jure out of the weary black bestrode,
either by whip or spur. Closer and
closer upon me came rushing down
that pounding of iron hoofs on the
hard path. Heavens! how like very
demon the man rode AS a trooper
could not withhold admiration from
the reckless audacity with which the
vengeful fellow bore down upon me.
In spite OF my utmost efforts II al
most seemed as if We were standing
still, Surely nothing less than hate,
and a thirst for vengeance bitter as
death, implacabie as fate, could ride
like that through the black night on
the track OF hunted mani
! was able TO trace dias,y his out
lines now as he rose on an eminence
sn my rear, his horse looming dark
against the sky, like those giant
steeds that snorted fire in my child's
picture-books at home, and then, with
increasingly louder thunder Of hoof-
beats, he came charging straight down
toward me. In sheer desperation
glanced on either side, seeking some
avenue Of escape, but the high banks
were unscalable: my sole remaining
hope lay in a shot which should drop
that crazed brute before he struck
and crushed me. Riding my best,
with all the practised skill OF the
service, swung my body sideways.
bracing myself firmly in the deep sad
die, and took steady aim The ham
mer came down with a dull, dead
click, the revolver vas chargless, and
with an exclamation of baffled rage
! hurled the useless weapon full at
the advancing brute. Almost at the
instant we struck, my horse went
down with the impetus, while over
us both, as II shot from a cannon,
plunged our pursuer, his horse turn
ing a complete somersault, the rider
falling so close that | was upon him
almost as soon as he struck the
ground.
A dip OF the flying hoof had cut a
shallow cash across my forehead, and
my hair was wet with blood yet
bruised and half stunned as | was
from the hard fall, my sole longing
was to reach and throttle that mad
man who had ridden me down In such
demon style.
You unclaimed devilw cried
savagely, whirling him over upon his
back, Il spared your life once tonight
but, by all the gods, I'll not do II
again"
Gosh, Cap. is thet your" asked the
voice of the other, feebly.
| started back, and lost my hole
upon him,
"Bungay?" In an astonishment tha
nearly robbed me of utterance. "GooC
God, mani is this really your"
TITS whut's left % me-" he answered
solemnly, sitting up and feeling hil
head as II expecting tt' find 1t gone
Tibet wus bout ther worst ride eve
took"