Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-27

was a difficulty. but Rocket, who could
thread a lava bed without brnising fet-
lock or cross a prairie-dog town at full
speed and hold his mistress as steady
as II she were sitting on rocking horse,
was not likely to balk at galloping over
mere ties-besides, she would give him
his time. At the worst. any bridge, she
said to herself, must be reached before
II can be crossed. and her eyes were al
ready fixed hard on the one she must
cross. when she thought she saw the
great jackknife span moving mysteri-
ously on it's balanced bed. Urging her
horse to his best. centering all OF her
faculties on mastering the ticklish task
ahead. Helen's eyes set in a stare on the
jackknife, to determine whether it was
moving or tricking her straining senses.
In almost an instant her doubt was re-
solved; to her CONSERVATION she saw the
huge knife draw, moving Enthusiastically
upward. Her eyes sought the bridge
tower-the bridge tender was standing at
tho open window. Her glance swept the
stretch OF river; then she remembered,
then she understood. then she know. all
a river tug was bearing rapidly down
stream: she could see the pilot and the
CaPldln III lilC WnCCinOocCs NhO OAlOSS
was lifting for the boats passage.
The baked girl drove her little spurs
into Rocket. The horse sprang. infuri-
ated. to greater effort. II she could
make the draw In time she would jump
tia slight rise-nothing should keep her
back.
without swerving for an instant from
her purpose; without shrinking from her
single alternative. and only praying for
time still to make good her endeavor,
Helen headed Rocket straight for the
open draw. His feet struck the pier She
gave the horse his head. The Wiry beast
saw what yawned below. He heard his
mistress quick word. AS his feet touched
the brink OF the abutment the horse
colled like a spring. and for an instant
quivered. His mistress with sharp cry
OF command rose in her stirrups; then
launching himself and his burden. like
an arrow far out, the hunter spring with
Helen cleanly into the river. There was
great splash and the parted waters
closed over their heads.
A pilot captain and bridgetender stood
as men dazed. looking on. The river cap
tain, yelling the crew 20 quarters. hurried
forward to throw out lines as soon as
the tug should come within reach OF the
imperiled girl. The bridgetender. in the
window, glued 10 the scene. watched the
circiing bubbles where horse and rider
had plunged down. waiting for them to
reappear For an interminable instant
the onlookers waited. II seemed as II
the two would never come up. Then n
girllsh head Of soaked curis rose amons
the ripples. a young face emerged from
the troubled stream. and Helen, throwins
herself free from Rocket. shook the water
from her eyes and nose with a swim
mer's quick certain puff and struck out
for shore. Rocket Yves not far away.
with few powerful strokes his mistress
caught bis name and recovered him. The
tide. running heavily through the chan
mel. carried the two together below the
pier OF the Opposite hank. But Rocket.
scrambling In a moment from the water.
bore his charge unhurt up the steep bank.
and under her urging ran up the track
to the tower.
The bridgetender, at the door. CON
fnonted her The dripping girl. seated ON
her quivering horse. told the astonished
man in few words what had happened.
and as he whiried into the tower agape
TO lower the draw Helen urged Rocket at
a run down the track. II seemed as IL
her ears dubbed and rang with the rum
BILE OF the two approaching trains. but
her brain had ceased to take note OF any
thing beyond her one stubborn resolve 10
reach the siding switch-she could see Il