Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-07


81 THINK can get down there" soliloquized
Tom Ford, the next forenoon, peering over the
rocky vail. eat least it is worth my while to
try-it viii save = mile of walking il succeed -
SSlpging himself over, he crept cautiously
dDvnward. Half the descent had been safely
made, when his foot slipped and he fell, carry
| ing with him the rock to which he was clinging.
When be re 'ove'ei consciousness he found
/ hi nseif lying at tie bottom OF the precipice,
plnioned TO the ground by mass Of rock and
| eaIt1 which lad fallen upon him.
| "Unlucky that have not the use of both
arms, ne thought, having finished the CON
temptation OF his situation. well, must ses
! what can accomplish with one. Phew! how
II pains me; must have bruised 1t badly com
! ing down"
As he spoke be attempted to lift the free arm
| but II dropped poverless by his 9 de-. "Brekeu,
/ as sure as fste!" with a srimace OF mingled
/ pain and amusement. "Was ever a fellow In a
| sorrier prsdicsmsnt?"
less Efforts TO release himself. al am bere, and
here must stay till some one comes TO my as
sistaDce." And thereupOn be shouted at the
| top of bis lungs for help. The valley gave
| back the echoes OF his voice, but there was no
other response.
Still, sgsin Re called-each time more weakly
than before, fer bis strength was fast leaving
him; but no lucky chsncs sent q person BY
within reach of that despairing cry. The pain
Of the broken arm was intense, and bis cramped
position added 20 bis misery; his throat was
psrched with thirst. while the glare of the sun,
as IL rose higher, well nigh blinded him. In
such sgony IS ne bad never dreamed of he lay
jourDeyeG togard lts enc.
Would help ever come? he wondered, strain
Ing hs ears TO catch the slightest sound.
The place was lonely and deserted one-ssl-
CON visited, except by some wandering artist IN
search OF the picturesque, and there was nc one
10 70 miss him or grow anxious at his absence.
Helen would take for granted that he had re-
turned to the city, and so he would be left to
perish slowly of thirst and starvation.
ARD while he was thus dying she would be
laughing away the ioyous moments with Mr..
fancy nirtuTe6 he
pair together, and ne ground his teeth in impO-
tent fury and despair.
Then, as day declined, and darkness, steal
ing through the valley, wrapped itself about
him, Eaf-delusive fancies came to make him
forgetful of pain. Helen was beside hm-he
could hear her soft tones. feel the clasp of her
self, and she had sought him out TO tell him so.
As the vision vanished he lost consciousness for
the first time In his life.
''The view does not strike me as particularly
bne one, my DEAR" said Mr.. Hastings, balanc-
Ing himself on the railing of the bridge, aud
surveying the scenery with glance of calm
aft is not even pretty T." Helen replied; "but-
wanted TO come" She was looking very in
tently at the railroad track-a pleasant object
Tor contemplation, as any lover of beauty will
admit.
Suppose, then, that we go home,- mildly
suggested Mr.. Hastings, Offering her his arm.
wait a mOment-the train is coming" an
sweTed she, as the shrek OF the locomotive was
heard. The train came-siscked almost to an
absolute stoppsge-Helen's eyes watched ii the
while very eaCerly-but no Tom took ADVANTAGE
OF the delay to spring upon the platform. Had
lie changed bis mind and returned to the farm
house? 1t was not likely; in his present state of
Ieehng he would not court meeting with Mr..
Hastings. Helen felt-she knew not why-s
vague consciousness ofan4iety.
'kAph," turning suddenly toward her lover,
- want to go up into the vslley-it will Lot be
Oar X for more than two hours vet; will YOU gO?'
''Wait till to- morrow, ~ he answered mindful
OF MS tight boots, and in no mood for rock
ehmeing. "fou are pale, Helen-yes, and &C
tually shiveTing, too. This air Is fever-and-
sguish, wrapping her shawl more closely about
soon as possible"
piled, eXcitedly. "You must go with me,
Ralph; am afraid something has happened to
''whO is Mr.. Ford?r asked he, with look
which was by no means loyer-like.
'He Is gentleman who has been boarding
at Mrs. kidder's, this summer" replied Helen
ne color rushing over her face in spite of her
turn 10 The city tbs afternoon, taking the train
here, and be has failed to DO SO, and"
Cannot aman change his mind If he sees ft?'
MI. hastings interrupted, half-jestingly, half
sDgIily. ''Don't be so foolish, my darling" he
went on; "it is not very complimentary 10 me-
your fretting about this fellow the first evening
OF our meeting. We will go back now, and II
lie Is not at the house somebody shall be sent
in search of him, promise you.;'
sit may be too late then" said Helen. "You
iIuet COltc VIII taking his hand.
IL will do nothing Of the kind" answered the
irate lover; land II you 90 it will be in disobs-
clence 10 my express commands" Mr.. Hast
lDgs looked really imposing in has wrath.
''When was ever known r. obey yOu-or any
one else? retorted Helen, with flashing eyes.
Il would go row if''-tryins TO say something
should lose my way and be compelled to STAY
cut all night in the cold" And shaking OFF his
OBTAINING grasp, she was gone in IA moment.
81 suppose that every woman must be either
e a vi D.
served MT. Hastings, a. he wendell his solitary
way honeU ard; "bGt such an exhibition OF
temper and wi!lfUlness on Helen's part was
very unpleasant"
The walk was a long one, and night was fast
falling when Helen reached the entrance of the
valley. She and Tom had explored it together
trsquf ntly; but now, in the shsdowy twilight
II looked so wild and forbidding, that she
shrank back invOluntarily. Wound it not be
wore than folly TO risk her life among its rocks
Snd chasms, because OF mere nervous fancy
As she stood notwithstanding her courage
iast eebing, faint cry seemed to fall upon her
ear. She listed eagerly. Did some one call
WAS Ike Toms voice. she said to herself with
SILVER, "only go faint and unelrthly." Her
hmidity 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 undeIbrush, needless of her cut
and bleeding hands and feet, her fast failing
strength, ana intent only upon reaching the
spot whence that cry had come.
'Shall L ever find him." she thought, de-
spaiTiDgly, as her foot caught in tree-root and
she fell once more. Putting out her hand to
aid herself in rising, she touched something
which was neither stone nor wood She grasped
IL eageTly-it was an arm in rough coat sleeve
a masculine arm evidently, and the discovery
senBs thrill of horror TO her heart.
An instant more, and the injured man moved
a little and nurmured 'Helen," in a feeble, a.
most insudible tone.
Helen did not shrek, nor faint, nor call him
darling as a heroine would have done. She
only said quietly, ''I am here. Tom; tell me, are
ven hurt DadlY?''
lis 1t YOU, Helen, really you?" he answered
excitement lending him strength. "My arm is
broken, and there Is a mass OF earth and rock
upon me. L have been lying here ever since
morning, ard had given up all hope of being
rescued. Did you come to look for mel have
thought OF you continually"
YES" returned Helen, hastily. thinking that
further questions might prove embarrassing"
and now am gong back for help. L will not
De long; you shall be safe at home within two
L come back"
'How did she know that failed 10 take the
tram" queried Tom, mentally, as the sound OF
hes footsteps died away. Bruised and aching
g. ne was, be would not just then have Changed
PAGES with Mr.. Hastings.
don't make excuses for him. Tom" said
heien, IN vexed tore, and wall king restlessly
TO and fro Tom himseIf mad J9na o., ~,