The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-02
VOLUME 2.


against the lattice-work. Forgive me,
will you not? I. will never behave so
again"
81 have nothing to forgive" she re
piled, with smile. az like to see you
behave badly--it amuses me, and need
to be amused"
"Is it not pity that a man is so ham
pered by circumstances as to be unable
to assume a heroic attitude when he
wishes?" questioned Tom, seemingly
quite tranquil once more. 81 do not
care to be taller nor less clumsy; l don't
even wish to amend and revise my nose;
but ] would like to perform some Won
derful feat which would forever exalt
me in your eyes, and earn for me your
eternal gratitude. can think of scores
-snatching you from under the wheels
of locomotive; swimming with you to
shore from a sinking ship, while the
waves were running mountains high; OF
rescuing you from some desperate arm
ed with numberless daggers and revolv-
ers. How delightful it would be to hear
you sob out your thankfulness to your
brave preserver, as Miss Alicia de Cour-
cy does to Percy Fitzgerald in my last
dramal At present l amuse you-am
well nigh as indispensable to your COM
fort as lap-dog; compel you to be CRATE
full, and-I think you could hardly avoid
loving me-"
az should aJhor youp' returned Helen.
''I always dislike people to whom l am
under obligations. When l am forced
to be grateful to anybody, feel as tho
the anybody had string tied to my lit
tie finger and could jerk it warningly at
intervals to remind me of my duty"
"On the whole, then," said Tom, look
ing down at her small figure, "you would
prefer to rescue me, and listen to the sob
bing assurances of my gratitude; l will
improvise some horrible danger forth
with-plunge headforemost into it and
allow you to take me out, if you will be
any more likely to care for me in conse-
quence. Let me see-we are going up
the valley tomorrow"
"Not we," interrupted Helen. 81
must remain at home to entertain Wis
itor."
"Do you expect the coming of that do
mestic affection, Miss Fletcher? Why
not run away from her first thing IN the
morning?"
at is not Miss Fletcher" said Helen
hesitating over the words. at is-Mr
Hastings"
"Why did you not tell me day soon
err" asked Tom, in a hard, constrained
tone.
az did not know it until this evening,
she replied "The telegram came only
an hour ago-just after we had finished
tea"
"And you are glad?" Tom questioned
looking at her with keen glance.
"Yes. 1 suppose so; it is my duty to be
glad"
"This is goodbye, them" said Tom
after some minutes of embarrassing ST.
lence.
"Shall not see you tomorrow" she
asked, little falter in her voice.
''No; I shall be off by sunrise for 6
last day in the valley. I can take the
evening train at March's Bridge-i
slacks there, and the conductor know:
me, and will not object. If Mr.. Hast
ings is what he should be, you will moi
want me; if he is not-shake hands
Helen Don't look out the window
when I go away. 1 should only thinl
of you looking little later for Mr.
Hastings coming"
"Poor Tom," said Helen to herself, ;
few minutes afterward, as she heard hi
room door close with emphasis, 81 won
der if Ralph ever bangs doors or get
into small RACES! He never lumbers, a
any rate, and how the porch floor di'
squeak when Tom walked across it!'
1 think l can get down there" solilo
quized Tom Ford, the next forenoon
peering over the rocky wall. cat leas
it is worth my while to try-it will saw
mile of walking if 1 succeeded" Swing
ing himself over, he crept cautiousl.
downward Half the descent had beel
made safely, when his foot slipped an,
f he fell, carrying with him the rock t
which he was clinging.
When he recovered consciousness h
/ found himself lying at the bottom Q
the precipice, pinioned to the ground b
a mass of rock and earth which had fal
| len upon him.
"Unlucly that have not the use c
both arms" he thought, having fnishe
f the contemplation of his situation
: "Well, l must see what can accomp1is
/ with one. Phew! how it pains me;
E must have bruised it badly comm
= down"
8 As he spoke he attempted to lift the FIRE
t arm, but it dropped powerless by h
t side. Broken, as sure as fate!" he e>
s claimed, with grimace of mingled pal
: and amusement. "Was ever a fellow
/ a sorrier predicament?"
4 at won't do," he said, after a score
v fruitless efforts to release himself 81 al
here, and here must stay till some or
!, comes to my assistance" And ther'
upon he shouted at the top of his lung
It for help. The valley gave back tt
echoes of his voice, but there was T
n other response.
n Still, again and again he called-eac
d time more weakly than before, for h
+ strength was fast leaving him; but I
lucky chance sent person by with
h reach of that despairing cry. The pal
of the broken arm was intense, and h
It cramped position added to his miser
his throat was parched with thirst, viii
i the glare of the sun, as it rose highe
's well nigh blinded him. In such agor
y as he had never dreamed of he lay
; the weary hours dragged by, and the d;
o journeyed toward its end.