Year: 1871

was lying lazily under the hedge, on
the side away from the road, and chew
ing a straw. The sun was glaring half
way down the west, and l had no in
tention of coming out from the shade
until he began to moderate slightly.
was amusing myself idly by lifting and
poising a strong ten-foot pole which lay
near, and to balance it in one hand,
listening, meanwhile, to the songs of the
birds.


was thinking, too, of dark-browed
young fellow, with villainous express
sion, whom [ had seen standing about
the hotel door as | came out, and of
whom | had heard it whispered that he
was in love with a young lady at the
house, who had rejected him, and was
now likely to be in danger, as he was
exceedingly Jealous. | had noticed, as
passed, the butt of revolver under
his coat a shape had become familiar
with J, and bad glitter in his eye. |
did not care particularly about him,
however, but was wondering whether
the young lady was pretty, and if |
should see her. Then, if 1 wouldn't
happen to have a chance to rescue her
from this rejected suitor, and what an
adventure it would be. Then devoted
my attention to the pole again.


Suddenly l heard the clatter of hoofs
coming down the road at tremendous
pace. The sound was so sudden and
sharp that I instantly sprang to my feet
and looked over the hedge. Three hun
dred yards away was black horse be-
stridden by the figure of man with a
black slouch hat, and brandishing re-
volver in one hand, while with the 9th
er he held the bride of bright bay,
which carried young lady with trail
ing feather in her hat and long dress.
She was waving her hand screaming for
help, while she pulled with all her
strength on the bride reins. But his
strong hand held them firm, and the
bay, frightened by the struggle,
stretched forward at his best gait. Why
this scoundrel was dragging away with
him this fair damsel, did not stop to
inquire; nor did commit the absurdity
of leaping into the road and trying to
stop him. That revolver looked ready
for use. In one instant | grasped my
ten foot pole and started across the
fields at full jump, to where the road
made a sudden swerve to the right and
made a cross-cut. | reached the end of
the field four rods in advance of the fly
ing steeds. Down | went on one knee
and projected my pole through the
| hedge at the right moment. 1t tinstantly
| tangled the legs of the black, and away
he went over on his shoulder, while his
rider flew over his head, turned, and
was flung heavily on his back with the
reins of the other horse clenched in his
fist The bay gave his arm one strong
twitch, felt the check, and stopped
quivering through his whole frame.
planted my pole and came lightly
over the hedge. | was at the side of the
bay in two steps, and had secured a hold
on the bit, when the lady gave one little
sigh and slid OF her saddle into my
arms. Seeing that her horse was pretty
well anchored by the dismounted cava
lier, | let go the bride to support my
lovely burden--for had already taken
a look into the face of the lady | hao
rescued, and saw thatshe was extremely
pretty.


She supported herself on my arm fol
few minutes, and then said family:


"Let me go. Mr.. Peyton, this is ar
insultw


AS did not rejoice in the name o
Peyton, and as she was unable to stand
took the liberty of disobeying her
and she, not having strength to enforc'
her orders, reclined quietly in my arms
At length, with shudder, she ralliee
herself, and rolled her big brown eye
up into mine.


Why she said, with difficulty
"you are not Mr.. Peyton! What is TIN
matter, sir ?''


Then she looked round.


"Oh ~ she exclaimed, as she saw tn
struggling horse and senseless rider
ssMr. Peyton was thrown-I remember
Is he killed? And look at that poo
horsel Oh, dearr'