Richland beacon., 1873-04-26
VOL" VINO. RAYVIILE SATURDAY, APRIL 1873

r bank. Shall call? Nonsense; he's bis
y enough to take care of himself. II,
v wouldn't thank me--Ow
With a piercing shrek, FlOy sprans
t from the thicket where she had concealed
herself. John, in the hurry and excite
, ment of the chase. had set his 70 It upor
rolling stone. The consequences wer,
disastrous. Over the steep bank he went
D clutching vainly at tie bramoles for sup
r port. An appalling silence followed.
FlOy stood one instant, white and al
most stunned with the sudden shock
Then she rushed forward, gained the
: bank, and, kneeling on its edge, looked
, down, with an agonized shrinking glance
There he lay, poor fellow! quite pale ant
: still. his'head dangling bacs ward little
, while over those sable locks narrow
, crimson stream slowly wound its way
His arms were thrown out, his hands still
clenched cOnvulsively over the bramblt
clusters he had clutched in his fall.
Floy, frozen with horror, knelt silently
rigid form beneath. Her head swan. hel
heart grew sick. Was he dead? How
!, stiff and still he lay! She burst into loud
cries of entreaty and self-reprOach.
40, JOhn-JOhn ! are you dead? Look
up, for Gods sake! o. wicked girl thai
was, not to speak. Help-help!" she
shrieked, wildly.
Slowly the heavy eyes unclOsed. With
infinite pain, John turned his head little
|, "WhO's that?" he said, family.
80, thank GOd!" cried FlOy, jOyfully
springing to her feet. Keep quite still,
and will come down to YOU"
John muttered something she did not
understand. Going a little distance. she
began to descend the steep path leading
down the bank. 1t was ticklish work,
even for our light-footed FlOy, and, half
way down, she slipped. fell, and rolled
ignOminiously the rest of the way. John
uttered brief ejaculation, but FlOy was
up in an instant, scratched and bruised.
her white dress black with mud, but 9th.
erwise uninju,ed. Scarcely pausing for
breath, she bounded to Johns side.
90, MIR. Durham. are you much hurt p
she asked, in tremulOus tones, as she
knelt beside him. John opened his eyes
again, and fixed them on her with be-
wildered stare. moment. Then, with
another low grOan, he tried to raise him.
self.
Don't mOve-dOn't move?" entreated
FlOy. 90, your poor head-how il
bleeds! There's brook near by {; I'll be
back in moment"
Taking up his cap, she bounded off in
the direction of the stream. Dipping her
handkerchief in the water, and filling the
cap, she darted back to JOHNS side.
''Now, let me see this poor head" she
; said and, sitting down, she took it gently
on her knee. Poor child she was little
used to wounds and bruises; the very
sight of the flowing blood made her trem-
BILE from head to foot. But she controlled
1a~ hr., xx-.tt hot csv rnv,la
skill she possessed, bathed his head and
face, and bound up the former carefully
with her two handkerchiCfs. Then she
paused moment, looking down with
womanly tenderness at the pale face on
her knee. How helpless he elay-the great,
strong fellOw-as helpless as little infant,
almost! She felt great rush of pity and
tenderness toward him.
"Thank yOu," said John, family. The
fresh, cool water had somewhat revived
him.
20, don't thank me-" said Floy, hur-
riedly. "YOu are in dreadful pain, aren't
you?'
"Yes it's my ankle" muttered John.
"I'm afraid it's broken. Where are all
the rest, Miss FloyP''
"The dear knows!' said Floy, clasping
her little hands in distress. 'Hurry, Kate
help, " help!"
"It's of no use," she said, after waiting
a moment. 81 must go in search of them
again. But first let me look at this poor
ankle, Mr.. Durham"
"No-nO," said John, a little fretfully.
"What can you know about broken bones,
childr'
"But might make it feel little easi-
er." gently persisted FlOy.
"f you could slit the boot down from
the top" said John, his brow contracted
with agony. ''IIere's my knife"
Floy took the knife, and, following his
directions, carefully slit the boot from
the top to the bottom, on both sides.
Then, with hand still slightly tremu-
lOus from the operation, she gently re-
moved the emains of the boot.
"Ah, that is relief!' said poor John
Great drops of agony were standing on
his brow. and FiOy softly wiped them
away. He looked up gratefully into her
face, smiling for the first time. "What a
nice little nurse you are, Miss FlOy!" he
said.
Floy rose, blushing a little, and folding
her soft white shawl into a sort of pillow
placed it under his head. "And now
will 60 for more efficient help" she said
turning away.
"But take that path on the opposite
side of the bank" said John, eagerly III
is safer. And, o, Miss Floy, would you
first do me one more favor, please ?'
Certainly" said Floy, returning
"What is it?'
"Just see," said John, with a fain,
!, groan. "If that butterfly is anywhere
about. I'm sure had my hands on it.
only hope it isn't crashed to pieces"
"The ruling passion!" muttered Floy
as she turned away. Lying there hal
; dead, with a broken ankle, and he car
| still think of that miserable insect"
"Here he is," she said aloud, cOmins
! round to Johns side. "Horrid littll
: thingr' she could not help adding, with
a vinthctive look at the innocent insect sh,
! placed in Johns open palm.
: John gave her slight surprised look
q but smiled with pleasure as ne surveyed
the treasure in his hand. cit is very lit
! tie injured" he exclaimed, in almos
! child-like delight. "And so, after my
|. long search, have Obtained it at last.''
\ "And broken ankle into the bargain,
0 thought Floy turning away, in minglet
r vexatiOn and amusement. "Now / mus
: 60"
4 Hilloar cried a shrill voice abov
I them. Floy looked up, and saw mai
; standing on the bank opposite the on
I from which John had fallen. He wa
4 evidently q farmer-a tall wiry-lookinj
specimen-dressed in coarse, blue clothes
. and an immense straw hat. "What o.
airth's the matter ?" shouted he.
y 80, sir" cried Floy, springing joyful
4 forward, "do-do bring some help, an
| toko fhie gentleman aUa0v from here W