The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-11-19

NO MDEh IT,.
i was my heart with the thought Of Mil
dred's secret and my own completely
with it. At home and at Judge Dale.
the day seemed to differ little from thu
Thanksgiving which had gone before
the houseful of friends, the bountifu
dinner, the general cheerfulness an6
harmony, leaving nothing to be desired
at least by those who carried no weary
secrets in their souls. know my fathe
said the turkeys were the finest we hat
ever raised, and Uncle Morris compli
mented me on my pumpkin pies, while
our minister praised the coffee and plum
pud ding; but to me everything tasted Of
wormwood, and it was only by busyins
myself with the wants of others that
succeeded in concealing my utter lacl
of appetite.
For years it had been our custom
Fred, Carl, Mildred and myself-to spen6
portion of the day at one or other oil
the three houses, and that afternoon we
were to meet at Mildred's. l had in
tended to go early, for Mildred had q
new duet which she wanted me to prac
tice with her, but the sun was nearly
down before could excuse myself from
the guests at home. Mildred was playing
when l went in, trying in a restless way
snatches of dozen different pieces, but
evidently finding nothing to suit her
mood, so we sat down together and began
the duet. But our hands did not har-
monize as usual, something was out OF
tune, and at last in fit of desperation
Mildred closed the piano and proposed a
game of blind-man's- For myself l
am not very partial to that somewhat
boisterous game, being one of those un-
fortunate mortals who can never keep
out of other peoples way but there was
roomful of young cousins there that
afternoon, and l magnanimously con-
sented to sacrifice myself for the sake of
helping Mildred entertain them. Several
of the older guests, however, joined us
presently, and finding that my help was
no longer needed l slipped behind the
curtains into the little alcove which Mil
dred called her conservatory. An open
Ere shed its soft warmth through the
room, and the air was freighted with the
fragrance of heliotrope and tuberoses
while outside the ruddy glow of sunset
still lit the west, with the "curled moon"
shining like cimeter above it. So sat
at the window enjoying the sweetness
within and the beauty without, and
wondering, withal, why Fred and Carl
did not come, when suddenly a hand
touched my shoulder and Fred himself
was at my side Before l had time to
speak he thrust slip of white paper be-
fore me.
do you know what this means
Mayg" he asked, huskily. II picked it
up in the garden walk just now, but can
make nothing out of it,"
1t had neither address nor signature,
but l knew it at Il glance. 1t was Mr..
Gregory's note to Mildred and read
Meet me at seven this evening at the
tryst tree"
For heavens sake, May, get on your
wraps" gasped Fred, pulling out his
watch; +" the man is a scoundrel and Mil
dred is rushing to destruction"
But, Fred, she has not gone" l cried;
she is in the next room playing blind
rdr II filoIifGnt' MS lace DrignIeneu.
81 saw some one tina. thought looked
like her going through the orchard as !
came in, but must have been wrong
The next instant, with wild fear at
my heart, was standing in the midst of
the merry players, but Mildred was not
there.
"Run, get your cloakw whispered Fred,
and as flew into the hall | heard him
say to Judge Dale in a voice so steady
that no one would have guessed his agi.
tatiOn:
"It is too fine a night to stay in doors,
and May and are going to steal ride" ="
"All right" said the Judge, gayly; "rll
be responsible for the theft; only don't
be gone too long"
A horse and cutter stood at the gate
waiting for some of the visitors.
"Bc quickw said Fred, untying the
halter, and before l could collect my
senses we were dashing away in the di-
rection of the "tryst tree" an old oak
standing ON the outskirts of Alden's
Woods. have had many sleigh-ride
in my life, but never another like that
the horses hoofs flashed fire as they
struck the ground, and the trees were as
phantoms flying past, while above the
moan of the wind and the jangle of the
bells sounded the boding of an owl
Only once Fred spoke, and then it was te
tell me that he had that evening received
paper from friend in the city with {
marked paragraph to the effect that Mr.
Gregory was fugitive from justice
40 Fred! what if we are too late tt
save herr' I cried in agony, for thu
town clock was even then striking seven
but as we neared the woods we caugh
sight of figure crouching in the shadow
of the oak. A closer view. however
showed that it was a man, and our heart
sank within us.
"Perhaps we are ahead of her. salt
Fred, encouragingly. "Why, l declare
that's Carl" he exclaimed as the figur
crept stealthily toward US.
"Hush!" whispered Carl, lifting hi
fingers "Don't let her see us, for pei
haps he may not come, and then she nec'
never know that we have guessed he
secret" Dear Carl! But Mildred ha'
heard the bells, and, expecting no on
but her lover, came cropping through tn
trees to meet him
"Hush!' whispered Carl again, bu
Fred was too impatient to heed him.
Mildred! Mildred" he cried, grasr
ing her hands, you don't know wha
YOU are doing. The man is u counter
feiter, with reward Of thousand do
lars on his head"
at is lie!" said Mildred, fiercely; bu
she shivered from head to foot.
"No; it is not a lie," said Fred, gently
elf it were not so dark could give yo
the proof" And then he pleaded wit
her for the sake of her parents, for til
sake of all that was dear to her, to Civ
up the mad scheme and go home wit
US. For moment I thought he ha
conquered; but while she wavered
sleigh from the opposite direction dashe
through the opening and halted fe
feet from us. Dim as the light was non