Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-08

1ainteQ qulte away MayUc Hs pC.'o,'
she murmured; she Wilma know TIL the
dangers past" Then, with another up
ward glance for help, she sat out on her
dangerous way. 1t would, by TINS tlnP'
have been perfectly dark, but there was
tie moon light. Just enough to show tEe
mere outline of The path and the glen.
The path itself was, by this time quite
covered with snow, and every step was
taken ia uncertainty, she hardly knew If
she were keeping the path at all. Strong
as she was, she Staggered at times under
her burden, while everything around
looked wild and wierd in the halt-darkness
and the thick falling snow. "Laddie' trot-
ted In front Of her aud guiding her on her
way, was the only CLEAN OF comfort she
had.
She went along more by instinct than
sight, and after weary while she began
to think that she must be coming near The
mouth of the glen, when suddenly she re-
membercd the sheet of ice across the path
way. If she could hardly cross it then,
what was to become of her now, with
heavy burden and the snow covering the
path, so that she could not tell where she
was g,ingp Her heart sank within her;
she remembered that it was near that
very spot that poor Tom Carson was
killed, and she felt as il she could not
move another step. Just at this moment
ray of moonlight pierced through the
drift, and showed her young Arches head
resting ON her shoulder; the face was
more boyish than ever in its pallor, and
the rings of fair hair lay damp on his
forehead. New strength seemed to come
to her arms with the sight, and new
courage and faith to her hear; sEe
went brayely on few more steps, and
then to her joy and surprise. found her
self safe out on the hillside, and far past
the dangerous place. She had passed it
safely and quietly, not knowing OF the
danger till it was gone. Sne had the
wind to contend with now, and the snow
drifts in her face but in her thankfulness
she felt As if she could overcome every
thing. and soon was within Il few yards OF
their own door. Then her strength utterly
failed; she struggled with beating heart
and laboring breath against her weak
ness, rs if it were some physical obstacle :;
and she did manage, though how she
never knew, to reach the house, enter the
door, place Archie on the long settle by
the fireside, and then--fell on the floor
perfectly unconscious. Poor ''Laddie
ran from one to the other, not knowing
what was the matter, and bowling pitt
fully. while the baby was waillng in the
cradle. Help, however. was near at
hand, and in a few minutes two men from
Auchensack entered the cottage They
had been sent rather against their will,
and felt as if they were on wild-goose
chase; but, when they arrived at the
house. they were Mortified at the state of
{ matters, and thankful that a childish fancy
-as they thought it at first-should have
been the means of bringing them to Dyne-
fort SO opportunity.
The children of Auchensaek were ex-
tremely fond Of Kirstie, and it was favor
lite amusement of theirs. every afternoon,
as the dusk came on, to watch for the light
appearing in the window When long
after the usual time, none appeared, they
could not understand it at all the anniver-
sary of her wedding day, too what could
be the matter At last. MI and Mrs.
Gray became uneasy themselves, and sent
off the two men, who arrived at the very
time when their help was most needed.
Archie "came too after a little; but
nothing they could do had any effect in
5 .rousing kiistie; so one of them went back
to Auchensack. and from there was sent
on for the doctor. Poor man, he was Just
sitting down to supper at a cosy little par
ty, which had assembled to see the "old
year out and the new year in when he
was told that the shepherd at Dyneioct had
a bad fall in the glen, and his wife was
.'near dead" with carrying him home.
Carrying him home ?" said one OF the
company, incredously; "why, is it posi-
BILE the woman must be an Amazon"
$50 she is, both in body and SOUL re-
piled the doctor, who had known her for
years land as it is on her account and her
husbands, l don't mind so long ride
over the snow one Bit so good night. and
happy new year to you all
Kirstic was not near dead" but she
got great shake and for sometime was
graver and quieter than her wont; as if
the wings of Death had passed closely by
closely by hor. One lasting trace she
had OF her exertions that nighi--her pref
ty brown hair was ever after lhckly
streaked with geay
Archie after being i'll long time, be-
came eventually gu te strong and hearty
again but all his lite after was influenced
by that wild night in Glen Dyne. and the
lesson in simple faith taught him by his
wife.
When the Laird" came Auchensack,
next autumn, for the shooting. he was 50
pleased to hear of Kirstes exploit, know
ing the glen we'll, as he did, that he gave
the cottage at Dyneloot to her and Archie
for their lifetime, promissing to build one
II required, Tor another shepherd. kirStie
was amazed beyond measure with this
gift and it was mystery to her why The
people called her heroine"
-FCrockery. TAINTED.