Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-04-18

udu JuoI lcdCHCu tuC tuESsu0lu WHICH bu0
again felt'the bony fagers clutch her
and hold her with an iron grip. She
saw the appraised knife, and with one
despairing effort. cried:
"Oh. Paul, Paul. for Gods sake save
me!'
Paul Ashton, riding along the dusty
road that golden summer afternoon took
out his watch and muttcred:
Only half past three and I am almost
there. How in the world did make
such mistake I"
So he took out Cigar, aud leaned
back 10 his chaise. not to DO in hurry,
when buggy dashed by him at full
speed, and he caught sight of two men
running across the field. In reply to his
salutation, be only caught three words.
Scboolhouse-madman --alone p
No thought oftarrying now. He dash.
ed along the road like fash Of lightning.
Nearing the schoolhouse he heard the
scream of a wonan's voice, and reaching
the door he heard bis own name called
in well-known voice, but SO filed with
dcspairing agony that he could hardly
recognize it as belonging to Jennie May.
In the doorway he saw the form ola man
holding aloft a cleaning knife as though
in the act of plunging it into the heart
Of some helpless being before him.
But that blow never fell. for Paul
Ashton. spring upon him from behind,
wrested the KATE from him. A struggle
might have ensued. had not the other
men arrived at that instant and bound
him securely.
Ashton then turned bis attention to
our poor little Jennie, who lay upon the
floor in deathly swoon. As the slowly
returning life sent the warm blood to
her cheeks and lips, she felt ia happy
dreamy sort of a way that she was held
in strong. loving arms, being pressed
to beating heart, and that passionate
kisses were being .rained on her face.
On opening her eyes she was surprised,
to find herselfin the schoo lroom alone
with Paul Ashton.
Gently as possible he recalled the
events of the afternoon; then seeing her
tremble and turn pale. be said:
''But we will take eur ride now, Jen-
ME, and then you will feel better"
As they drove along the wooded road
that led to the beach, Mr.. Ashton SEEM
ed strangely reserved. Jennie wondered
at this, emelnberiag the loving clasp
and passionate kisses of 3 few moments
ago. How many thoughts passed through
that mind, working so busily under that
jaunty straw hat Hopes and fears sue
ceeded each otner in quick succession. for
she loved the man beside her with all her
heart now. as she had never dared to
love him before, for fear that her affection
was rot returned. At length the silence
was broken by Paul with words:
"What is there away out to sea that
SO absorbs your attention, Jennie 2"
II was looking at that steamer, and
wishing that were on board, going
away from schools, and madmen, and
Met"
mo, Paul. 1 did not say that"
"Well, l shall sail for Europe III about
three months, be said j., :.
'You, Paul? You going to Europe,
and so soon 2" 49,. ;. -
eyes. to Europe. Shall you miss ne.
Jennie p {.
"What Are those tears, for me I"
And he gathered the sobbing form
once more to bis heart, but still there
was no reply to his question. The little
waves we're fondly carressing the tired
sands on the shore. and the sand piper
calling her little ones home, but still she
was silente
"Jennie, dearest Jennie, tell me if
you love me- he repeated.
eyes, Paul, I love you; I love you
with all my heart and all my soul.
"Andyou you will marry me. darliug?"
.'Oh. how can II You are wealthy
and only q poor school teacher. It
would not be right, and parents would
not like it
at would be right, and my parents
would like nothing better than to see
me made happy"
They had nearly reached the road
which led from the beach to the Ashton
pace, when Jennie said i:
"You are not really going to Europe.
are you7 / should be afraid without you
now. Paul, I feel 90 safe to have you
near"
Eyes," he replied, ION my wsdd ing
tour"