Evening star., 1933-12-24

,
T.% It was futne-sui-
49, cidal, to attempt an
~, W approach. The mare had
49, gone seemingly mad He
4. fen back The crowd was
H. broken, was scattering in all di-
rections, swirls Of dust rose from the
failing hoofs McAllister's eyes smarted;
dimly he caught q flash Of Jeanette cling
inp hands clenched in the name. Ine
mare sanished :. belly nann -
teeth. barred and evil and champing
Waiting no longer, he turned and dashed
through the open stable. The stallion was
q trembling bundle of excitement: swiftly Loren
drew him outside.
The mare was no longer in sight
people were yelling in an impotent confusion
- a glimpse he had Of Loomis- -jawed.
staring
McAllister tried to mount, but the stallion
voice called; II help & senes,mand = PsaFo
warning shout; freed from restraint, the pony
snorted, shook himself once. and streaked away
Pierre in the wagon jolting helplessly behind.
-, OMEHOW, Loren was astride the stallion
"a and rocketing after that precious cargo.
~ His eyes, whole face, ached with the
tensity of concentration.
In five hundred feet he began to close on the
.bmter-eaited animal. Loren weighed the
chance of heading Doll of. No-that was
hopeless; he must risk q leap-get onto the
pony's back.
Faster - nearer - the stations flying
feet were but a length behind the crazily sway
ing cart.
Suddenly. out of nowhere, loomed plunging,
writhing shape; to its side, one leg dangling,
clung a woman. Dolf was heading straight
for fnarp
under the mad hoofs! Then, in jerk, the pony
swerved aside, and with pace undiminished,
tore on.
The stallion was within a stride of the mare.
Loren pulled his head left but too late; the
stallion, unable to turn in time, reared. Down
he came again, just beside the other horse.
McAlster was within a foot Of jeanette. she
vas slipping, sljpping-that leg now caught In
tue stirrup For seconds fraction, Loren
hestated Perhaps he could save her-pul her
free But Pierre! With an oath, he struck
bis mounts flank and was off again.
The pony, however, was now far ahead.
racing ON toward the fields border and the
stony terrain beyond Savagely Loren cursed
himself that damnable pause-that hash
of an Incredible impulse God! What 1t
bad cost him? Pierre-the one thing on earth
he cherAhed. faint line Of blood wet his
lips Is teeth pierced nesh.
xuc StAllln Wu0 StA0 yeIuc W Lie Aee& "AAsAs
the finale came Onto . jagged pile OF up-
turned earth and rocks Dolf charged. Just once
the wheels OF Piezre's wagon struck. and then
the cart new upward nke . living thing. Loren
cried out q he nW 4 twist In mida'r, saw
the trace. snap; saw the tiny WAGON and the
dckening crash, and lie STILL
In moment be VAS meeling at PiefreS
Ade. The childs form, still strapped fast to
the now splintered cart, lay on one side. ap-
parently unmarked but motionless. Hastily
coren cut the thongs that bound Pierre's legs.
Unashaned, unnoticed tears were On his face.
md . fumblng hand brushed the damp crris
hack from the boys brow. There was no re-
sponse, no sign Of life. A rush Of choked ana
broken words came from Loren:
"Ah, Pierre-cher enfant-what IL It? Where
are you hurt?"
A sound voice speaking his name Loren
looked up Beside him stood Jeanette Ro-
chelle. her cheeks dirt-stained in weird pat
terms. She came forward. looking down at
Pierre, her eyes dark with con.
isis he much injureds' she
asked softly
McAnister felt numb, half dazed.
Il think he's dead. I don't
know; L"
In swift move jeanette was
M@ ON her knees across from him. feel
NM ing for Pierre's pulse After q
M moment:
IN Continued on Thirteenth Page
/ gzasal!a