Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-02-16

NAlo9 AhiSsDVlJ hSbCh VI wv
suggestion, she walked round the
obstacle and into the office. With
all her liking for Crawford and his
fascinating ways, she had always
distrusted his laugh; she heard il
now, with a thrill of Indignation,
knowing that it had followed with.
cism at her expense.
She dropped her letters into the
box-segenty. one was empty. She
retraced her steps and found Mr.
Crawford still blocking the way
she crept round him as before, but
the narrowness of her foothold
made it insecure. One Of the
clumsy boots caught in splinter,
and she never knew how it was
she made tremendous muscular er-
fort; a helping touch would have
saved her, but it was not forthcom-
ing. She fell from top to bottom,
not far, but the fright and mortifi-
cation made her powerless for an
instant; so, though unhurt, she
lay quite still. There was a tardy
effort to assist her-of that she did
not know She only heard Craw-
ford's mocking laugh; his sugges-
ton to a poor half-crazed fellow
who stood by, that there was an
opportunity TO show bis gallantry.
Another peal Of laughter ir which
several joined. Rose felt herself
lifted to her feet, with sudden dis
gust, by crazy Tom, she supposed
her special aversion - but she
knew TIE voice presently, it was
Charley Weir's. Though in his
store, when she looked in few
minutes before, he had betaken
himself to the office just in time to
witness her fall. He nearly car
ried her for a few yards, then she
was able to walk, still supported by
his arm.
"Do you think You are hurt? Go
into my store and will give J on
cordial"
She assured him family enough
that she was not hurt. She had no
need to fear recognition from her
voice, it sounded strange, even to
herself,
Harry rose as she approached
him. With murmur of thanks to
Mr.. Wier, she took his arm and
walked away.
"What next, Rose p
s'Nothlng, Harry, I'm through.
Take me home. l am tired nearly
to death"
"An odd-looking pair" was Char
ley Weir's comment, as they disap-
peared round the corner; "butthose
fellows might have helped her up,
she was a woman
some one said that Crawford's
caused her to fall. !
wish Rose Amesbury could have
seen that spectacle"
Mr.. Crawford's superb pair OF
bays paved the turf in front Of Miss
Amesbery's parlor, next morning,
while the owner begged the honor
of taking her to ride. He drove
away alone, and with furious speed
an hour later, muttering as he went
an unintelligible sound, but to this
effect;
II don't know what possessed
the girl l can't carry out my lans
without her thirty thousand. !
shan have to succumb, that's plain,
just as thouhgt the game was all
in my own hands"
One Juno evening, just a year
later, Charley Weir was driving
from the station. A bright face
was laughing up into his, Miss
Amcsbury had become Mrs, Weir,
the autumn previous, and Charley
had transferred his business to the
city. AS usual, she was spending
the summer in Milton, driving to
the depot every Saturday evening
for her husband.
Tonight they stopped in front of
the post.ofGice, while boy brought
out the mail.
Mrs. Weir leaned back in the
carriage, her lace suddenly shad,
owed.
II hate the oder Of chestnut
blooms" .. -
"Why, Rose p with swift glance
at the sober face.
"They have with me an unpleas-,
ant association. See, the trees are
full of them; and those bruised,
trodden flowers on the sidewalk
it reminds of a year ago"
IL am reminded OF a year ago,
too, Rose, and the memory is very
sweet, just a year to-morrow, dar-
hing"
SCharley, / am going to tell you
something l never have. I've been
ashamed to tell-yet that opened
my eyes. You remember helping
some one who had fallen on those
steps y"
Eyes ! what of it? / remember
now, an oddly dressed woman or
Girl, | could not tell which,"
"That was Rose AmesburY."
"You, Rose Z"
mo one else. / had fancy to
test the courtesy of the Milton peo.
pie. 1t was ordered that l should
test Leigh Crawford's at the same
time. That night he was weighed
in the balance and found wanting"
"And he never knew"