The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-07-10

dish chucklc, and felt his iron finger
clutch her shoulder, but with deX
ferrous movement she released hersel
aud few to the doorway She ha,
! just reached the threshold when sh'
again felt the bony fingers clutch her
with grip of iron. She saw the up
saised knife, and with one dcspairinl
effort, cried
"0h, Paul, Paul, for Gods sake
save me.
Paul Ashton riding along the dus
ty road that golden summer Afternoon
took out his watch and muttcred
.'Only -half-past three, and Pm al
most there How in the world did
make such mistake ?''
SO he took out a cigar and leaned
back in his chaise, resolving not to b,
in a hurry, when buggy dashed by
at full speed, and he caught sight o
two men running across the field. II
reply to his salutation, he only caught
the three words, "School-house-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
No thought of tarrying now lle
dashed along the road like fash o.
lightning. Nearing the schoolhouse
he heard the scream of a woman's
voice, and reaching the door he
heard his name called in well
known voice, but SO filed with de-
spairing agony that he could scarcely
recognize it as belonging to Jennie
MAY. In the doorway he saw man
holding aIoft cleaning knife as
though in the act of plunging it in.
to the heart of some helpless being
before him.
But the blow never fell for Paul
Ashton, springing upon him from be-
hind, wrcstled the knife from him.
A struggle might have ensued had
not the other men arrived at that in
slant and bound him securely.
Ashton then turned his attention to
our poor little Jennie, who lay upon
the floor in dcathly swOon. As
the slowly returning life sent the
warm blood to her cheek and lips,
she.felt in happy, dreamy sort of Il
way that she was held in strong arms,
being pressed to Il beating heart, and
that passionate kisses were being
rained on her face On opening her
eyes she was surprised to find herself
Al. ~, n.
Ashton.
Gently as possible he recalled the
events of the afternoon then seeing
her trembIe and turn pale, he said,
gaily:
But we will take our ride now,
Jennie. and then we will feel better. :"
As they drove along the wooded
road that led to the beach, Mr.. Ash
ton seemed strangely reserved Jen-
ME wondered at this, remembering
the loving clasp and passionate kisses
of few hours ago. How many
thoughts passed through that mind,
working SO busily under that jaunty
straw hat? Hopes and fears sue
cecded each other in quick success
sion, for she loved him now with all
her heart, as she had never dared to
love him before, for fear that her af-
fcction was not returned. At length
the silence was broken by Paul, with
the words
What is there away out TO sea
that so absorbs your attention, Jen-
ME 2"
IL was looking at that steamer and
wishing that | were on board, going
away from schools, and madmen
and"
Me ~
mo. Paul, / did not say that"
"Wcll, | shall sail for Europe in
about three months" he said.
You, Paul going to Europe and
so soon -
Yes to Europe Shall you miss
HE, Jennie :"
Miss vou ? OF course | shall"
What Are these tears for
me ?n
And he gathered the little sobbing
form once more to his heart but still
there was no reply to his question.
The little waves were fondly caress-
ing the tired sands on the shore, and
the sand piper calling her little ones
home, but still she was silent.
Jennie, dearest Jennie, tell me if
you love me-" he repeated.
"Yes, Paul, love you with all my
heart and all my soul"
"And will you marry me dar-
ling 7"
"Oh, how can |: You are so
and | only poor school
teacher. 1t would not be right, and
your parents would not Ike it."
at would be right, and my parents
would like nothing better than to see
nc made perfectly happy"
They had nearly reached the road
which led from the beach to the Ash
on place, when Jennie said
"You are not really going to Eu-
'ope, are you l should be afraid
without you now, Paul, and | feel so
'afe to have you near"
Yes, he replied, ION my wedding
our"