Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-03-27

near to loving her, at least he had no;
proposed. .--'r
G And she? She would, in all proba-
bility, have said yes.
And she was not in any more than
good time in coming out to Gerald
Vandyke's as a guest, if she wished to
keep her hold on Rob. Miss Fannie
Il Thornton, farmers daughter, and dis
& trict schoolmisstress, was obtaining a
tsway over his heart that might, in time,
surpass that which she beld-especially
if it was undisputed. It may not be
true that absence conquers love, but it
is pretty sure that lovely rival present
has an advantage over one, absent, if
both stand equally high in a mans re-
gard. do not think that generous Rob
Meredith would have thought of put
ting money in the balance on either
side. -, ...4 ,,-..--. = ,,,.gs,g.,f -s... .
So you perceive, do YOU not, that if
Ellie Warburton had any desire in her
heart, unaeknowledged if you please,
to win Rob Meredith, it was fully time
that she should be at Gerald yandyke'ss
Some days slipped away. Vandyke's-
guests enjoyed themselves hugely.
Rob Meredith divided his attentions
about equally between Miss Thornton
and Miss Warburton. At this time he
had no strong preference for either one.
Ii he had been forced to make instant
choice between them, he would have
been in quandary. l do not think
that there is anything very strange
about this. A young man with ever so
strong capabilities for loving, may
come to time when it is very hard to
decide between two lovely girls. And
for a long time his heart may be in a
divided state, as it were. 1 am willing
to grant that at this time he does not
cherish for either any very deep or fer
vent love. Further, the period will
come when circumstances or fate or
something else will point out the one
which he is to love with all his heart, |
and she will become the ''one woman of
all the world" for him.
As matter of course the two Young
ladies met and were introduced. They |
did not become intimate, but still they
were quite cordial toward each other.
One day, more than week after Miss
Warburton's arrival, a merry party was
upon the lawn. You may be sure a
game of croquet was OH hand. Ellie |
Warburton and Fannie Thornton were
both present. Frank Vincent had es-
eorted Fannie from her home to Van
dykes this time. ...4 o.. e.
"Where. is Rob Meredith ?'' some per-
son had asked when preparations were
being made for the game. a.r-tE
Miss Warburton CHANGED to hear the
question. "He has gone out riding on
Mr. Vandyke's "Sultan," she said care
lessly.
$" He would better beware of that
horse-he is dangerous" 80
" So told him, but he only laughed"
And Miss Warburton laughed too, as
though she had done her duty and
mig mt be merry about it. -, Il
The game progressed. 1t was half
done, when there was heard coming
down the road the fierce clatter of hoofs.
All turned in the direction of the sound
and beheld Yandyke's "Sultan" tearing
along at mad gallop, with Rob Mere
dith on his back. The horse was run
ming away. In moment he had pass
ed the entrance of the lawn, and was
clattering farther away down the
straight, hard road. 81 -s....4.. ri II
Fannie Thornton gave wild scream
and fell to the earth, fainting, her face
perfectly colorless. .'r-r
Z" Oh, he will be killed. He will be
killed!'' shrieked some of the girls. i
I" L think not" cried Ellie Warbur-
ton. 81 noticed that he held the reins
in his hands, and the road is level and {
straight" I ,yrH. e5 r8i.ri
mile down the road Rob checked Sultan !
himself. He turned and rode back to {
Vandyke's. Meantime Frank Vincent !
had lifted Fannie ThorptOn in his arms
and carried her to the house. His face {
was pale as Fannie's. Poor Frank his ,
paleness was caused by hers. She soon ,
revived, and was shortly able to go
home. sas ,rm -gf H.fE q
After dinner Rob Meredith was seat ]
ed on the piazza of Vandyke's residence. I
He was alone. The sun was low in the ,
west, and the piazza was shaded and a
pleasant. Presently some one came out
of the house and stood close by him. I
He had to half turn to see her. He did !
so, and beheld Miss Warburton. G
81 am glad you We're not injured, Mr..
Meredith" she said quietly. /
"Are you ?'' he returned coldly '
enough. f7 HH I
eyes" .Tl $500 t
suppose you are, after fashion,"
Rob broke out more warmly than the .
occasion seemed to demand. .'Still,
am told, that. you didn't even change
color when Sultan galloped past with
me, while" ''''a {
He paused, rather ashamed of him
self She knew very well how he i
would have completed that sentence if
he had completed it at all. .c
'' should have supposed that heart
of friendship would have drawn little
color from your cheek Bob went on,
getting angry because she was silent.
'sYes, even that much, if no more. But
/ am not to review the past year and be-
lieve that much even."
"Why, Mr.. Meretlith," Ellie said
laughingly, "I did not think you were I
in any great danger. have had doz-
en- such runaway adventures as yours. '
You had clear road before you.' t
Was she making sport of him? He c
paled, and for moment was nearer to '
declaration than he had ever been be- q
fore. He felt an angry desire 20 test
her, to see if there was aught of regard
in her heart for him. But at that in
slant Gerald Vandyke himself came up
from the lawn. He sat down and COM
menced talking about Sultan.
Miss Warburton felt that she miqht
have said something else to Rob Mere
dith; that she had better control over