A Life for A Life Author:Herrick Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Ill AGAIN WOMAN CROSSES YOUTH'S ROAD Imperceptibly gray clouds had filmed the clear blue of the sky, as if a depth of heaven too dazzling for mortal eye mu... more »st be veiled. As Hugh's steps approached the town, the sky was thickly laced with cloud, and fitful gleams of a watery sunshine were all that penetrated the western horizon. Absorbed in perplexed consideration, he took no note of the weather. While he was resting at a cross-roads before entering the last valley, a riderless horse came clattering down the road from the north, bearing a handsome new side-saddle. The pace was a leisurely gallop, as though the horse, having spent his first mad impulse, had time to notice the surroundings and enjoy his accomplished freedom. At sight of the young man seated beneath the sign-post, the runaway stopped short, snorted, then with delicate deliberation prepared to dash past this possible obstacle to his freedom. Proclaiming his spirit with a wave of his tail, he trotted slowly forward. It was a lively, handsome beast, more playful than wild, and the young man, reaching out suddenly his hand, was lucky enough to catch the loose curb and wise enough to humor the captive by running a few steps with him until he could bring him to a stand. There were angry glances from the large brown eyes, but the animal accepted capture with some grace. "A fine beast!" the youth thought, wondering whether he could mount him and thus ride back up the north roaduntil he met the owner. But the aristocratic art of horsemanship not having come within his experience, he concluded that the safer course would be to lead the animal. Patting his smooth neck, he turned him around. The horse examined his captor, snorted once or twice, then consented to walk calmly by the youth's side. A short space up the roa...« less