Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-10

less uTcIll0b WHOSE yOuJulul lives seem w
be spent In continuous attempts at risking
their own or other peoples necks, Frank
snatched up his hat. "Do not frighten
yourself so much, Miss DashwoOd," said he.
1.-The well Is not very deep one, Is itw ~
"Oh no." she replied, sand 1t is partially
choked up with rubbish; but he moans so
sadly that / am sure he must be dreadfully
injured and Robin is so infirm that he
cannot render him any assistance" ys,.
Frank hastened to follow her to the spot
where the rest of the terrified and weeping
children were budding round their nurse,
and watching the movements of the old
gardener, who was hobbling about with Q
rope in his hand, loudly complaining ofthe
"tiresome ways o. them children, who had
been warned scores and scores o. times that
they maunt dance on that old kiver, but 1t
wornt no use talking to 'em." -y,,. ,-...
While Robin lamented and inveighed
against the now insensible Harry, the
more active Frank hastened to rescue,him
from his perilous position; and laborer,
who made his appearance just then, was
dispatched for the nearest medical man,
while the boy was carried TO the house and
laid on a bed. The nurse and her charges,
awed by the pale face of their brother into
comparative quietude, crept away to the
nursery, while Minnie carefully closed all
doors through which sound could convey
the tidings Of the disaster to the ears of the
child's mother. '
III shall want some one to hold hin,o
said DR.. Jebb, at the close of an eXamina-
tiOn of his patient, who had recovered his
senses sufficiently to feel very sorry for
himself. "His arm Is broken, and the soon
er can set it the better. viii you assist
me, Mr.. Leigh?" With very bad grace
Frank assented. He was almost as much
averse to witnessing pain as to enduring 1t.
"Now, Miss Minnie, If you will run
away" said DR.. Jebb, kindly, "we'l call
you as soon as it is all over"
But a pitiful wall arose from the bed
"Oh, Minnie, darling don't leave me!
They're going to do something to me-" and
after moment of irIes0lution she return
ed to the child. ... ...... ... ......
II think I'll stay, please, DIR. Jebb," said
Minnie; "pray let me; III be very brave, and
Harry will be more patient if hold him;
won't you, loveW
So Minnie hid her own shrinking from the
sight of the boys sutferings, and her gentle
and soothing words effected more even
than Frank Leigh's promise of new bat,
ball and stumps, or the doctors assurance
that a little pain would help to make man
of him; but when the squire, hot and anx-
Gus, burst into the room, just as the worst
was over, her courage failed, and Frank
carried her away, and consigned her to the
care of the housekeeper, who took her to
her maternal bosom, with many tender
and endearing expression.
1t would have had an unfriendly look, so
argued Frank, to bid farewell to Hatchley
while little Harry lay i'll; so he stayed and
shared the watches by his bed. until he was
almost well enough to perpetrate some new
mischief; and Minnie, who had been COM
PEELED to divide her attentions between the
two invalids, and had found it difficult to
satisfy either, began to look pale and worn,
and to seek opportunities of stealing away
| and resting in quiet hooks, where 1t was
not very probable that any one would think
of looking for her. -t
Frank suddenly came upon her in one OF
these weary moments, as she sat at the foot
OF clump of trees, half buried in the
grass, her hair pushed off her forehead, her
eyes fixed dreamilyon the sky,where clouds
were darkly gathering. With a start and
a scream she sprang to her feet, as he APP
peared.
"Did 1 frighten you9" asked Frank, re-
gretfully. ..|.. -a ~
"Yes-mo--a spider on my dress" stam-
mered Minnie, pointing to busy spider,
haps, on housewifery cares.
Half contemptuously, Frank brushed the
obnoxious insect away, and said, 'You may
sit down now with safety, Miss d Dishwood;
my own freedom from all prejudices against
these creatures will render me an efficient
protector, and will stand by and guard
YOU"
"Thank you, but l have been here too
long already" said Minnie, and she began
to move slowly toward the house, but her
eye glanced at the volume Frank held in
his hand, and it started topic.
"Do you read much ?" asked Frank. a."
"Very little" she replid.
"Humph!" said Frank; "there are some
exquisite sketches in this edition of the
Lady of the Lake. Do you paint, Miss
Dashwood?" ..
4" Not much," replied Minnie, carelessly.
"Fm not learned lady"
"But," said he, hesitatingly, "you do not
despise these accomplishments? ?" ..g
Before Minnie could reply, vivid flash
of lightning cleaned across the sky, fol-
lowed by heavy peal of thunder. With
she uttered a cry of Distress and fled rap
idly across the lawn, leaving her compan-
ion to follow at his leisure.
When Franks more leisurely footsteps
reached the open French windows of the
lower apartments, Mrs. Dashwood's maid
was rummaging among the sofa cushions
for the salts, and hysterical screams were
heard in the direction of her mistress
room. Frank assisted her in the fruitless
search, and as she turned away, carelessly
inquired if it was for Minnie she had been
seeking them. ~. ..,..., l.
"Yes, sir" said Mrs. Trimmings with a
smile and courtesy, "and she begged me
to make haste, so must rum"
"a pretty wife this would be for any
man." muttered Frank, discontentedly-.
Gearing little for books, less for other mem
tai requirements, screaming at spiders, and
fainting in storms! And | had begun to
think her remarkably natural and charm
ing! How wretchedIy dull this place is in
wet weather! If this rain continues, as it
threatens to do, Hatchley will be insuffer-
able. wonder why have stayed so longw
And, in pursuance of this new train of
thought, he discussed at the dinner-table
the necessity of his departure. ,,-..
"Hang it, Leigh" cried the Squire, ''don't
go till hay-making is over ~ -, ...-.'.'..
"Stay till my new mare comes home,"
urged the eldest hope of the Dashwoods;
"you half promised to 60 with me to the
spring meeting" ....., "a 80 4. ,..,..,eI
,"No, don't run away yet, Mr.. Leigh"
said Mark, the youngest and brightest of
the lads. "I do SO hate to lose any one lust
as begin to know and like him" =
Frank talked of mportantbusinessa await,
ing his presence in town, and of the length
of his stay, but finally agreed to say no
more about going until the following week,
and the subject was soon merged in an in
terestinO discussion of the merits of ,Snuira