Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-01-08

AS Tor leaving you alone here, that's
out of the question. | must stay by and
see that nobody hurts you; but if you
Will be good, and do just as | say, I'll
promise not to make noise or alarm
the family-though | must say. except
for your feeling so dreadfully about it, it
would be by far the most sensible way.
SO, first of all, Milly, you must drink
this"
This" was hastily compounded dose
of brandy and melted snow. How lucky
that he had it about him, he thought; and
1t was lucky. 1t checked the chill which
had begun to creep over Milly's limbs
and after she had swallowed it he took
her into the road and made her walk
briskly up and down leaning on his arm.
Later, when circulation was quite re-
stored, he let her go back to the step; but
with the blanket over her lap and his
own coat across her shoulders. Bless his
kind heart! He was warm. enough, he
said; and he cared for the poor child as
tenderly in all respects as if she had been
his little sister.
The night wore on, the stars glintine
more brightly and the armament deepen,
ing in hue as the hours passed. They
talked and talked There was something
in the situation which begat confidence
Milly had never so opened her thoughts
to any one before. She told him all her
discomfort and restlessness, as if it had
been a shrift and he father confessOr
and, guessing at far more than she could
explain even to herself, he felt himself
grow soft over the lonely girl. He spoke
brave, kind words of advice and warning
words which sank deep into her CRATE
full heart; but all the time his own was
opening its gates for the entrance of Pity
Pity, that dangerous sentiment, so akin
to love that when once it finds admission
ii leaves the door open through which its
distinguished relative shall thereafter
march triumphant.
Once Tom made her laugh by saying
that, except for the horse and the bells
they might be supposed to be taking 8
sleigh-ride, one of those bewitching sleigh
rides she had so lOnged TO share He was
glad to hear the laugh, though it was
faint and instantly checked.
Day dawned at last, with dim pink
tinge in the East. The cattle lowed in
the barn. A cock crowed; then another
By-andby stir began in the house. Mr.
Ives descended. He lighted the fire anC
unbolted door-luckily not the door O
the shed!
Tom Russell confronted him as he step
ped forth. Good day, neighbour" h
said. You are up betimes and your COW:
sound as if they were ready for you. II
step in, if 1may, and get drink of water
in your well-room. | don't know any
water better than yours"
"HOW's yOur horse TOmPn
"Better, thank you"
"HOld on, said Mr.. Ives, an get the
dipper l don't believe you know where
it u.s."
eyes, | do" shouted Tom from the
depths of the kitchen. 81 know all abou
it. You just go ahead with what yor
were doing"
So the unsuspicious parent wen
"ahead"; and, as he took the path to thu
barn. the bolt behind him shot back, anC
Milly stood once more beneath her par
entail roof, cold, stiff, pallid, but inside a
last
"Now's your time" whispered Tom, a
he seized the pump-handle. She pauseC
only long enough TO give him look
Pale and CHASTITY as her face was, tina
CLEAN of shy gratitude and recognition
lI4nlSu III lHuO dDSOlutC Ucduiy. III WI
but an instant. The next she was halt
way upstairs, with noiseless feet; ant
just in time, for, by the heavy creakini
Of the floor above, Mrs. Ives was evident.
awake and stirring.
And so our story EMS. Not Milly'
story; that had but just begun. Mrs
Ives never could Imagine where thu
long feverish cold was taken which fol
lowed this cventful night; but she wa
good to Milly, on the whole, and eithe
the unsparing boneset she administered
or certain evening visits which Tom tool
to paying about that time made the Illness
more than endurable-almOst pleasant
The New Year belied its opening, any
how. Month after month, each happier
than the last, passed by; and before it
closing day Milly, fair and maidenly ir
her white muslin, had stood up in the ole
kitchen and promised to be Toms true
and loving wife Nothing less than tina
vigil on the dOOr.steps, perhaps, coulC
have given her the experience and scCur
ity in his goodness which irradiated heI
face with such peace; and TO buy tina
look Tom would have counted as nothing
twenty nights spent in the open air. II
her own hOme-her husband beside he
she saw the Old Year out, and felt il
depths of a grateful heart that all wa
well.--Ne,1 YOrk IJIdepe1tdent.