The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-06-23

against Fans noble rage. On she wen
like lightning, scornful Of curb Or rein
and I felt myself powerlees to checl
her speed. Mr.. Darrow did not offe
to take the lines ; he was waiting to Sc.
if'1 would not claim his assistance.
would have died first, asd, when he
saw this, he smiled curiously, and said
With marked pol,teuess:
"Allov me to relieve you. You will
fatigue yourself:"
~ wilcoaquer her, or she shall con-
quer me-" Was my only answer, and I
frightened my hold upon the reins, and
spoke soothingly, almost p'eadingly, to
the horse for I knew We were fast ap-
preaching Danger Hill, and that if she
should dash down that steep and stony
descent At this mad pace, our lives
would not be worth . rush. .,s..
My companion waited moment, and
then said: y: .-. -.
"Meanwhilc you must excuse me if I
decline to have my neck broken, simply
because you don't care about yours )"
and IS he spoke he laid firm hand
upon minc. The rcins Acre forcibly
taken from my spasmodic grasp, and,
10 an instant, another than myself felt
| the power Of those steely fingers. My
lady Fan resisted as I had done
plunged, and reared, and tossed her
naughty head-but in vain. She too
had to succumb to the force Of = strong
er will, and in few minutes We were
creeping down Danger Hill at the most
circumspect pace imaginable.
"You must really pardon my VIC
lence," said Mr.: Da1ow, laughing, |
whom We had safely reached the bottom.
"Look back and SEQ what you have es-
caped!"
~ could hsve guided her without your
assistance" I said, sullenly, aud he au-
swered with = clear, earnest look
straight into my eyes:
"No you could not, my poor child,
and cannot yourself: You are 1t perpet-
ual war with circumstances. You had
better reconsider my offer let me be
your friend, at least while We are TO-
getber."
And then be forgotten-cast off! ! for
Sylvia Marples would never let her
husband be my friend. No; such an
offer I should not accept; but, oh,
what an almost irresistible temptation it
was to me! Twas not angry at what
he said Of my inability to guide myself:
I knew it..was true, and I was-o' So
tired Of battling with the world ind
with life, struggling on quite alone,
with no word ever of sympathy or
counsel! A true, a wise, and strong
friend would be such an inestimable
boon to me Who else had ever even
given me justice? But this man,
young, handsome, distinguished,
had taken the trouble to give me more s
han justice. He had shown me favor,
The UNCONSCIOUS, chivalric favor OF a {
man to woman, just as though I were :
anybody else. He had absolutely prais-
ID me-meaning what he said he Of. $
Bered now to be my friend, meaning it {
IS we'll. .
NJ one but q woman like myself, ,
Who had never before received a wo-
mans need of consideration, could
the worth to me Of the few
crumbs which had fallen to me FROM
that strong aud gentle hand. But 1
knew we'll it would be tho sheerest ]
folly in me to allow: tue favor to be
taken out Of my everyday bread and
butter by frequent hastings Of mamma
which must inevitably dissolve and van
ish away when the sun rose-the sun
Of his love for the irresistible Sylvia.
No, I should decline it with thanks
but the struggle had wearied me none
the less. All nay pride Of heart and
strength of will had somehow broken
down beneath the uuaocustomed intlu-
euce Of a strangers kindness and my
own voice surprised me by its softened
tone, as I said, wearily: ~
II thank you, but you don't know
what you ask. It is quite impossible
for any opportunities Of real friendship
to occur between Nm. Naples petted
guest and her ohildren's governess.
Please don't say any moro about it,
and lot rs 60 home, unless you wish to
ride farther. L 10 the next turning to
tho lelt." !.. !! -, /
1drew myself back into the corner Of
the buggy, and rested ny head against
the aide. I felt strangely tired and
nervous, and I vas glad that my COM
panion had tact enough to let me alone.
Hs merely stopped and pushed his
travelliing-bag under my feet, and We
drove homo in the silence I had
asked for. As 10 drew up in font
Of the house, we encountered the
gaze Of Mrs. Marples and Sylvia |
directed upon MS from the piazza. They |
had returned before us!. i - !
A bssilisk.glance I got for my greet
ing, but the most eager and smiling
welcome was bestowed upon Mr.. Dsr-
row. I knew I could trust to his |
ready tact and gay good-humor to carry