Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-10-05
a LOVE AFFAIR
BY ESTHER sEBLE Kenneth.

better than anything else in the world,
IL seemed hardly natural that sh
could say that-a girl with such re-
blood, such sweet eyes, such tenderIy
low voice. But she did say it-ridinj
lightly and smoothly over the prairie
her horse bounding like rOebuck, he
figure swaying to- easily in the saddle t
disturb her thoughts. 1t was a beauti
full face looking steadfastIy out from lie
meath the jetty plume. y face tender
/ truthful and sweet, Yet resOlute beyOnr
all. There WAS shadow upon il, il
spite of the clear, steadfast eyes.
Suddenly she checked her horse.
Where are we, Leo p"
Leo stretched his neck and locke,
around, then started again, of his owl
free will. He saw, as we'll as his mis-
tress: the little brown house, which wa
their destination. Springing into hi.
light IOpe again, lie bounded away an1
paused at the door.
y low, widespread house, built o
logs. a great cottonwood tree ruIstIins
over it. The door open, and Il women
singing at her work within.
Isabel Slipped from her horse and step.
ped toward the threshold. Suddenly q
lerOcIOuS dog came painting around the
house, and Bounded towards her. She
paused with faint cry of terror; but Il
woman appeared in the door, and whiS-
Ting like man, attracted the creatures
attention.
How dy" she exclaimed, nodding.
Come right in. Bruiser won't touch yer.
Miss Waring, aint il?
Yes
Just leave yer horse standing. Tom'll
f fpl r.r Ii.
teaching Yer scholars are waiting fer
yer,
The woman, who was a strapping
damsel Of twenty, led the way into the
hOUse-a rough, primitive place, but
clean and cool, the bOarIs~O the floor
secured white, the windows Shaded with
green paper curtains, and bright-cOlOr-
Ell, homemade mats placed about.
'Ihis'll be your room, Miss Waring,'
said Jane Green. Yer trunks have
come. There they be- Now Just make
yourself at home. Supper'lI he ready
i'll about an hour
She went out, shutting the door into
the adjoining room, where Isabel saw al
ready number of children cUngregat-
ing IN burning curiosity of her arrival
When the door was shut, she heard
their numOerleSS questions regarding
her, the sounds of supper under process,
and the arrival of men from the field
She was very glad Of the room to her
self, beginning to have some idea of the
life before her. y resident gOverness im
a western family, was something very
different from 4 resident gOverness in
an easterlmetrOpOlis.
can certainly do good here she
said To herself, after supper, bravelY.
There she had seen them 3ul-energet-
IL, Ott-hand, praCtically-shrewd Simon
Green, pale faded-oUt, depreciatingly-
apOlUgetic little Mrs. Green, the six zap
ing children, the halEsister Jane, and a
score of men. She hardly noticed these
the hands They were sunburned,
rough, and ate greediIy, with one ex-
reptiOn, but that first night she did not
notice the exception.
The next morning before breakfast,
she was of with Leo-a ride To give her
courage for the day Thesixl little Greens
were clamerous for knowledge.
Two miles from home, IOping around
4 bend in the road, she felt her saddle
and springing instantly To the
ground, she yet retained her hold of the
Jridle, so that Leo simultaneously whirl-
ed towards her and stopped, while the
saddle fell heavily to the ground. It had
been fastened only by girth, and that
The surcingle-was broken.
What could she do, but to replace the
saddle upon the back of her horse aud
cad him home The prospect was not
with the feTvid June sun ris-
ing high in the sky. But she cOmmenc-
sd preparations by unfastehing the belt
)f her long riding-skirt.
Suddenly man rode up. He was
we'll dressed though indifferentIy mount
I'd. He came so quickly to her assist
lnce, that she had time to make no more
you are in trouble he said, with
pleasant and foreign accent. what is
,he matter"
My surcingle is broken, said Isabel.
Let me give you mine,' he answered
promptly, preparing to do so.
But what will YOU dO?, Fl
He smiled. Es - -
L can ride without amy girth, if ne
'essaTy.'
He had frank smile, which altered
he character of his rather worn face
It had look of repressioh-Nvas almost |
when in repUse blonde, gold |
sunburned to iawny glow; |
Jut when the surcingle was 6uckled, |
md the stranger raised his hat in re- |
pomse to the lady's thanks, he revealed |
: forehead that only scholars have, and /
t was as white as a girls.
Now shall put you in the saddIe?'
le asked. -... .E
AS he spoke, he lowered his hand, and |
to the action, she was light |
ii lightly upon her horse. Somewhat
o her surprise, the stranger rode prompt
y on beside her.
we had best ride fast he said ouiet-
y. There is possibility of a sunstroke
or us
The horses trOtted fast toward home.
dizzy, blending headache was coming
'ver Isabel, but she made no complaint,
\ sudden sickness OVeTcame her at last:
he reelcd in the saddle; then, with a
'ewildered feeling, uttered a half cry.
The next see knew She was living up-
III the grass in the shelter of her horses
hadOw, her dark hair drenched with
yater about her face. She came back
o life with a thrill of shame for her
weakness.
How strange that | should faint y she
in a veXed tone. Il am bound
o have all kind Of disagreeable expert
nee this morning.
She was lifted like a child to her feet;
he stranger, without word, put her in
he saddle.
you are unacclimated,' he said, as
hey aode on. Il hope you are not going
o be ill.,
oh no! exclaimed Isabel impatient
y. OF course I'll not be ILL 49,
But when she reached home, she
walked diZZly straight to the bed and
lung herself down. Before night she
vas in a raging deiirim.
Poor child She never knew all she
perhaps; but her face grew thin
nd white, and her eyes, so dark and
ad, retained all the shadows of her
'ain. Sick among strangers She knew
,eforG the long six weeks were past, how
weary they We're of their tasks, what a
urdeu she was, how much in debt.
She was bUlstered i'll great rocking
hair, before the open door, one evening
ute alone in the room, when Il step
Ounded at the door, and To her surprise,
he stranger who hpd been her cUnlpau-
Dn Oh that CventfIIl morning, came i'm,
nd drew chair before hOr. 4
How is my patient" with the frank
mile which seemed pleasauter even
han before.
Are you the doctorm asked Isabel,
both frail hands.
40; but have been toIcrabIe uursp,
hey say
You are very kind
You have been very sick.
Yes. I had better have died, quietly.
Arc YOU ready to die"
Il am not ready To live
Poor little girl? Does poverty sting