Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-10-17

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consciousness of anxiety.
'Ralph," turning suddenly toward her
lover, 81 want to go up into the valley
It will not be dark for more than two
hours yet; will you gol"
"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"
II will not mean l can not 70
Helen replied, excitedly. "You must go
with me, Ralph; l am afraid something
has happened to T-Mr. Ford"
"Who is Mr.. Ford 10 asked he, with a
look which was by no means love-like.
"He Is gentleman who has been
boarding at Mrs. Kiddef's, this summer
replied Helen, the color rushing over her
face In spite of her efforts to appear in
different. "He was to return to the city
this afternoon. taking the train here, and
he has failed to do so, and"
"Can not man change his mind If he
sees titf" Mr.. Hastings interrupted,
half-jesiingly, half-angrily. "Don't be
SO foolish, my darling" he went on; 'it
80 W NNiJ " Ntc your
fretting about this fellow the first evening
of our meeting. We will go back now,
and If he is not at the house, somebody
shal, be sent in search of him, l promise
you"
''It may be too late then," said Helen.
You must come with me, Ralph, taking
his hand.
81 will do nothing of the kind 70 an.
swered the .irate lover, "and If you 20
it will be in disobedlence to my express
commando" Mr.. Hastings looked really
imposing in his wrath.
"When was 1 ever known to obey you
or any one else 20 retorted Helen, with
flashing eyes. 81 would go now if''-
trying TO say something tragic but fail
ing-"if l were certain that should lose
my way and be compelled to stay out all
night in the cold" And shaking off his
OBTAINING grasp, she was gone in a
moment.
81 suppose that every woman must be
either simpleton oria vixen, "philosophi-
callyt observed Mr.. Hastings, as be
wended his solitary way homeward;
"but such an exhibition of temper and
williulness on Helen's part was really
very unpleasant"
The walk was long one, and night
|
entrance of the valley. She and Tom
had explored it together frequently; but
now, In the shadowy twiligkt, II looked
so wild and forbidden, that she shrank
back involuntarily. Would 1t not be
worse than folly to risk her life among
Its rocks and chasms, because of o 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," or was It only her imagination
'sIt was like Toms voice." she said TO
herself, with a shiyer, "only 80 faint and
unearthly." Her timidity had all van.
ished now, and she went resolutely on,
falling over PROSTATE trees, climbing up
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, her
fast-iailing strength, and intent only
reaching the spot whence the cry had
come.
"shall ever find him l' she thought,
despairingly, as her foot caught in a
tree root and she fell once more. Putting
out her hand to aid herself in raising,
she touched something which was neither
stone nor wood. She grasped 1t eagerly
/ III Mdb du aim Al a iOuku NOdl bltCNt-
masculine arm evidently, and the dis
covery sent a thrill of horror to her
heart.
An instant more, and the injured man
moved a little and murmured 'sHelen, %
In a feeble, almost inaudible tone.
Helen did not shrek, nor faint, nor call
him "darling," as a heroine would have
done. She only said quietly, - can here,
Tom; tell me, are you hurt brdly 20
sis II you, Helen, really you 2" he an
swered, excitement lending him strength.
"My arm is broken, and there is a mass
of earth and rock on me. | have been
wing here ever since morning, and had
given up all hope of being rescued. Did
you come to look for mel have thought
of you. continually"
eyes" returned Helen, hastily, think
ing that further questioning might prove
embarrassing, land now am going back
, for help. will not be long; you shall be
, at home within two hours, l assure you.
Keep up good heart till l come back. u
"iIow did she know that ! failed tC
take the train l''..querledl Tom, mentally
as The sounds of her footsteps died away
Bruised and aching as he was,the woult
not Jnsl then have changed places will
/ Mr.. Hastings.
: "Don't make excuses for him, Tom,
y said Helen, in a vexed tone, and walking
= restlessly to and fro as Tom himself haC
done on the evening before Mr.. Hastings
expected arrival.
"Why not :" asked Tom, watching
G her from the lounge on which he lay. Z"
e admit that he behaved badly but thei
d he had reason TO be aggrieved. Anewe
Il his letter, Helen, and say that you fol
give him" He stopped, feeling tha
}, heroism and self-sacrifce could 60 n
d further,
!. 81 will never see him again 20 sh
answered, her slender, dark eyebrow
coming little closer together. 81 kno'
Y now that never had any real aiiectio
for him-thank fortune l found 1t ou
y before 1t was too late"
y sPoor Hastings l am sorry for him,
a rejoined Tom gravely, trying to arrang
the sling in which his disabled arr
myself hundredfod more"
u "Whv Z" asked Helen, with the air {
a seeker after useful information.
y Because you DO not care for me-" b
C replied.
3 ''But-I think do care for you, Tom,
le she said, coming TO his side to adjust Ii
10 refractory handkerchief. 81 did not wal
to but you know 1t is so natural to liB
n people whom You have compelled to fe
~ grateful to you"
10 81 know" answered Tom, very we
~ satisfied with the explanation. SAND
~ after all, Helen, circumstances whic
Us would not permit me to be hero allowC
" you to be herolne-it is really too bad.
-le "You should be very thankful to ci
y, cumstances," laughed Helen, ''for if yC
~ had saved my life l would have BET
as your mortal enemy always and, uni
W you tumbled over that pTecipice thoug
, you rather an awkward person, and e
y, very we'll content TO marry N
's' Hastings"
ne Reception Days ana Evenings
IT. have taken the place, to a great exteI
i'm of the old. fashioned party, and ha
en- made decided inroads into the custom
ad receiving on New Years day.
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