Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-10-28

assume heroic altitude when he wishes
> questioned Tom, seemingly quite Tranquil
once more. 81 do not care to be talle
, nor less clumsy; l don't even with t
amend and revise my nose; but | woul
like to perform some wonderful feat whic
would forever exalt ME in your eyes, an
earn for me your eternal gratitude. ca
think of scores-snatching you from un
der the wheels of locomotive /; swimmin,
with you to shore from a sinking ship
while the waves were running mountain
high; or rescuing you from some desper
ado armed with ,numberless dagger
and revolvers. How delightful i
woald be to hear you sob out you
tbankfulness to your brave prescrver, a
Miss Ahca de Courcy does to Percy Fitz
gerald in my last drama! At present
amusc you-am well nigh as indispensable
to your comfort as lap-dog; compel yor
to be grateful, and-I think you could
hardly avoid loving me-"
L should abhor you ~ returned Helen
II always dislike people to whom am
under Obligations. When | am forced tc
be grateful! to anybody, l feel as though
the anybody had string tied TO my little
finger and could jerk it warningly at in.
tervals to remind me of my duty"
"On the whole, them" said Tom, look
ing down at her small figure, "you would
prefer to rescue mo, and listen to the Sob
bing assurances of my gratitude; will
improvise some horrible danger forthwith
plunge headforemost into it and allow
you to take ME out, if You will be any
more likely to care for me iu consequence,
Let me see-we are going up the valley
Tomorrow"
"Not we," interrupted Helen. 81
must remain at home to entertain a visit.
or"
"Do you expect the coming of that dc.
mestlc afliction. Miss Fletcher? Why not
run away from her the first thing in the
morning."
at is not Miss Fletcher" said Helen,
hesitating over the words. ut is-Mr.
Hastings"
why did you not tell me day SOON
er ?" asked Tom, in hard, constrained
tone.
-" | did not know it till this evening" {"
she replied. The telegram came only an
hour ago-just after we bad finished tea. .
"And you are glad 2" Tom questioned,
looking at her with keen glance.
Yes, suppose so; it is my duty to
be glad"
This is good-by, then" said Tom, af-
ter some minutes Of embarrassing silence.
Shall not see you tomorrow she
asked, little falter in her voice.
mo; shall be off by sunrise for last
day in the valley. can take the evening
train at March's Bridget -slacks there,
and the conductor knows me, and will not
object. If Mr.. Hastings is what he should
be, you will not want me; if he is not
shake hands, Helen. Don't look out the
window when l 60 away. | should only
think Of you as looking a little later for
Hastings coming"
s'Poor Tom," said Helen to herself, a
few minutes afierward. as she heard his
room door close with emphasis, II wonder
ifRalph ever bangs doors or gets into small
RACES! He never umbers, at any rate,
and how the porch floor did squeak when
Tom walked across it,
II think l can get down there" solil.
oquized Tom Ford, the next forenoon,
peefing over the rocky wall. "At least
it is worth my while to try--it will save
mile of walking if | succeed" Swing
ing bimseIf over, he crept cautiously for
ward, Half the descent had been made
safely, when his foot slipped and he Tell,
carrying with him the rock to which he
was clinging.
When he recovered consciousness he
found himself lying at the bottom Of the
precipice, piuioned to the ground by a
mass Of rock and earth which had fallen
upon him.
"Unlucky that have not the use of
both arms" he thought, having finished
the contemplation of his situation. ''Well,
| must see what can accomplish with
one. Phew how it pains me; l must
have bruised it badly coming down.
As he spoke he attempted to lift the
free arm. but is dropped powerless by his
side. s.BrokcD, os sure as fate!" he ex-
claimed, with grimace Of mingled PAIN
and amusement. .Was ever y fellow in
a sorrier predicament.
1T won't do" he said, after score OF
fruitless effcrts to release himself. II
am here, and here ! must stay till some
one comes to my assistance" And there.
upon he shouted at the top Of his lungs
for help. The valley gave back the echoes