Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-10-01

mildly suggested Mr.. Hastings, offering
her his arm
"W ait moment-the train is com
ing, answered she, as the shrek of the
locomotive was heard. The train came
Stacked almost to all absolute stop
page-Helen's eyes watched 1t the
while very eagerly-but no Tom took
advantage Of the delay to spring upon
the platform. Had he changed hi
mind and returned to the farm house ?
1t was not likely; in his present state
of feeling he wo uld not court meet
ing with Mr. Hastings Helen felt
she knew not why-a vague conscious
ess of anxiety.
''Ralph." turning suddenly toward
her lover, 81 want to 60 up into the
valley-it will not be dark for more
than two hours yet; will you gos"
"Wait till tomorrow, he answered,
mindful Of his tight boots, and in no
mood for rock climbing. 'You are
pale, Helen-yes, and actually SILVER.
ing, too. This air is fever-and ,agueish, -
wrapping her shawl more closely as he
spoke. "Come, let us get home as
soon as possible"
81 will not I mean I can not!" Hell
Ell replied, excitedly. "You must go
with me, Ralph, I am afraid something
has happened to T-Mr. Ford"
''Who is Mr.. F ord?" asked he, with
look which was by no means lover
like.
''He is gentleman who has been
boarding at Mrs. Kidder's, this sum-
mer," 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 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; sit
is not veryscomplimentary 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
somebody shall be sent in search of him
l promise you"
sit may be too late then, said Hell
en-. 'You must come with me, Ralph"
taking his hand.
Il will do nothing of the kind p an.
swered the irate lover; "and if you go it
will be in disobe dience to my express
commands" Mr. Hastings looked real
ly imposng..in his wrath.
"When was | ever known to obey
you-or any one else?" retorted Helen,
with flashing eyes. Il would 60 now
if'-trying to say something tragic,
but failing-''if were certain that l
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.
q suppose that every woman must
be either a simpleton or vixen" phil
osophically observed Mr.. Hastings, as
he wendell his solitary way homeward !;
''but such an exhibition of temper and
wi7fulness 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 frequent
ly; 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 it's rocks and chasms, be-
cause Of mere nervous fancy. AS she
stood notwithstanding her courage
fast ebbing, a faint cry seemed to fall
upon her ear. She listened eagerly.
Did some one ss,call "Helen," or was it
only her imagination ''It was like
Toms voice" she said to herself, with
a SILVER, ''only so faint and unearthly."
Her timidity had all vanished 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 falling
strength, and intent only upon reaching
the spot whence that cry had come.
s'Shall ever find him ?" she thought
despairingly, as her foot caught in
tree>root and she felt once more. Put
ting out her hand to aid herself in ris.
ing, she touched something which was
neither stone nor wood. She grasped
it eagerly--it was an arm in rough
coat sleeve-a masculine arm evidently
and the discovery sent thrill of hor-
ror to her heart
An instant more, and the injured
man moved little and murmured
|
"Helen," in feeble, almost inaudible
tone.
Helen did not shrek, nor faint, nor