The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-02

self about him, half-delusive fancies
came to make him forgetful of pain.
Helen was beside hIm-he could hear
her soft tones, feel the clasp of her hand;
she did not love Mr.. Hastings, but him
self, and she had sought him out to tell
him so. As the vision vanished he lost
consciousness for the first time in his
life
"The view does not strike me as a
particularly fine one, my dear" said Mr..
Hastings, balancing himself on the rail-
ling of the bridge, and surveying the
scenery with a glance of calm disap-
proval.
at is not even pretty" Helen replied;
"but-I wanted to come" She was
looking very intently at the railroad
track-a pleasant object for contempla-
tion, as any lover of beauty will admit.
Suppose, then, that we go home,"
mildly suggested Mr.. Hastings, offering
her his arm.
"Wait moment-the train is COM
/ ing" answered she, as the shrek of the
locomotive was heard. The train came
Stacked almost to an absolute stop
page-Helen's eyes watched it the while
very eagerly-but no Tom took advan-
tage of the delay to spring upon
the platform. Had he changed his
mind and returned to the farm house?
1t was not likely, in his present state of
| feeling he would not court meeting
with Mr.. Hastings. Helen felt-she
knew not why-a vague consciousness
of anxiety.
"Ralph," turning suddenly toward
her lover, ~ want to go up into the val
ley-it will not be dark for more than
two hours yet; will you go?"
"Wait till tomorrow" he answered,
mindful of his tight boots, and in no
mood for rock-climbing. "You are pale,
Helen-yes, and actually shivering, too.
This air is fever-and-agueish," wrapping
her shawl more closely about her as he
spoke. "Come, let us get home as soon
as possible"
! "I will mott l mean can notp' Helen
replied, excitedly. "You must go with
me, Ralph; I am afraid something has
| happened to T-Mr. Ford"
"Who is Mr.. Ford?" asked he, with
look which was by no means lover-like
"He is a gentleman who has been
boarding at Mrs Kidder's, this summer" +"
replied Helen, the color rushing over
her face in spite of her efforts to appear
Indifferent. "He was to return to the
city this afternoon, taking the train
here, and he has failed to do so, and"
"Can not a man change his mind if
he sees ft?" Mr.. Hastings interrupted,
half -jestingly, half-angrily. "Don't be
so foolish, my darling" he went on, ait
is not very complimentary to me your
fretting about this fellow the first even
ing of our meeting. We will go back
now, and if he is not at the house, some
body shall be sent in search of him,
promise you"
at may be too late then" said Helen.
"You must come with me, Ralph" ak
ing his hand.
81 will do nothing of the kind" an
swered the irate lover; "and if you go it
will be in disobedience to my express
commands" Mr.. Hastings looked real
ly imposing in his wrath.
r IL
or any one else?" retorted Helen, with
flashing eyes. 81 would go now if'-
trying to say something tragic, but fail
ing-''if I were certain that 1 should
lose my way and be compelled to stay
out all night in the cold" And shak-
ing off his OBTAINING grasp, she was
gone in moment.
~ suppose that every woman must be
either simpleton or vixen," philo-
sopicaally observed Mr.. Hastings, as he
wended his solitary way homeward;
"but such an exhibition of temper and
willfulness on Helen's part was really
very unpleasant"
The walk was long one, and night
was fast falling when Helen reached the
entrance of the valley. She and Tom
had explored it together frequently; but
now in the shadowy twilight, it looked
so wild and forbidding, that she shrank
back involuntarily. Would it not be
worse than folly to risk her life among
its rocks and chasms, because of a mere
nervous fancy. As she stood irresolute
feeling her courage fast ebbing, faint
cry seemed to fall upon her ear. She
listened eagerly. Did some one call
"Helen," OF was it only her Imagination
"It was liks TOMS voice." she said tc
herself, with shiver, "only so faint and
unearthly" Her timidity had all van.
ished now, and she went resolutely on
falling over PROSTATE trees, climbing ur
the rugged sides of projecting rocks
urging her way through tangled masses
of vines and underbrush, needless Of
her cut and bleeding hands and feet, hel
fast-failing strength, and intent only up
on reaching the spot whence that cry
had come.
"Shall I ever find him?" she thought
despairinly, as her foot caught in a tree
root and she fell once more. Putting
out her hand to aid herself in rising, sh,
touched something which was neither
stone nor wood. She grasped it eagerly
it was an arm in a rough coat sleev'
"a masculine arm evidently, and thu
discovery sent thrill of horror to he
heart.
An instant more, and the injured MAJ
moved little and murmured "Helen,
h in feeble, almost inaudible tone.
S Helen did not shrek, nor call hin
o darling" as heroine would have done
n She only said quietly, "I am here, Tom
n tell me, are you hurt badly?"
8 "Is it you, Helen, really your" he an
:; swered, excitement lending him strength
e "My arm is broken, and there is mas