Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/138

122 guard her mother, and then the two young people hastened into the woods.

In a brief time they arrived at the place where Nero had been left, and Robert quickly perceived that his faithful horse was rested and apparently ready for the hard ride that awaited him. At once he was made ready for the departure, and as Robert leaped upon his back he turned to Hannah and said,— "I 'll be back soon. Then I 'll thank you for what you 've done for me."

"You look like a heap of ashes," laughed Hannah, apparently ignoring his words.

"It was pretty nearly dust to dust and ashes to ashes, was n't it?"

"Good-by," said Hannah abruptly.

"Good-by," responded Robert; and then, speaking low to his horse, he began to ride swiftly across the lots toward the lower road.