The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-11-12
MISCELLANY.
THE LIGHTHOUSE AT AVONDALE.
From Peterson's Magazine.1

A wet east wind was blowing across
the moor, that stretched eastward from
Meridcth House. A wet wind, that blew
nobody good, but was full of miasma, and
heavy with the odor Of dccaying nature.
l sat by tho window and looked out upon
the dreary autumn landscape, almost
hidden now by the shadows of the dreary
autumn cleaning.
Mamma moved the lamp upon the
table, so that its rays fell upon the win
dow near which was sitting. and out
upon the gravel walk beyond, lighting =
small space with tho radiance of day. 1
gazed out listlessly. A figure came out
from the dark shadows, into the lighted
space. The erect figure ola man, and he
stood, motionless, looking up at the win.
dow, the blaze Of light falling upon his
handsome, daring face. bit my lips to
keep back scream, and my heart thump-
cd so loudly feared mamma would hear
it. The man outside smiled, and made a
gesture which signified "Come OUT"
But burned my face away, determined
not to betray my knowledge Of his pres.
cncc. Why did he haunt me so, when
he knew how had determined to forget
him-when he knew how absolutely nee.
essary it was that I should put all
thoughts Of him out Of my mind, now and
forever.
"Mamma's voice broke the oppressive
silence. II hope this is not the forerun-
ner Of the equinoctial Storm" she said,
shut almost fear it is. It will be an
unsafe time for ships to cross the lake, if
the storm comes on with it's usual force.
Rollin will be here Thursday night, he
wrote, and this is Saturday. hope the
storm will blow over in day or two.
should not like to have your wedding
postponed on any account. 1t is an evil
omcn."
my wedding!' yes, 1 was to be mar
ried the following Friday to Rollin
Weatherbee, heir Of the Weatherbee es.
tates, and the Wcatherbec pride and
blonde beauty. I had been engaged to
him two years, and all that time it had
been understood that should wed him
on my eighteenth birthday, and the day
drew very near. had loved him verv
dearly, I thought, and was very proud Of
him. But three months ago, q few
months after our arrival at the Meridcth
House, where we had come to remain
until after the wedding, / met with lit.
tie adventure, which had altered the
whole matter, so far AZ I was concerned,
and put my foolish young heart in tu-
multi. l was out for gallop, on nv pony
Sinbad, when q gale Of wind came IN.
and my hat was blown from my head. I
felt it going, and threw up both hands,
just as Sinbad, with snort, gave leap
which unseated me; and I toppled over
his side, and down upon the ground, and
lay stunned for a moment, while Sinbad
galloped away. (. was not seriously hurt.
only stunned, and soon rose to nv feet.
and brushed my tangle Of brown hair out
OF my eyes, to see Sinbad struggling to
free his bit from the iron grip of mani
hand. A young man, with 1.-the, erect
figure, dressed ina hunting suit, that
well displayed the tiger-like grace of his
person. He held the frjghted animal un-
til he ceased to plunge and rear, and then
led him toward me, touching his CAP
lightly as he ncared me, and looking me
through with his dark eyes. II beg par
don," he said; II saw the accident that
bcfell you, and was just in time to catch
your beast by the bit as he plunged by.
hope you are not seriously injured"
mot at ALL answered. "Only lit.
tic bruised. Thank you for saving me
two'mile tramp home to find man.
ma frightened to death at the return of
Sinbad without me-
he assisted inc into the saddle. and
walked by my side. on toward Merideth
House. '''
:" am going to see you home, unless
you forbid it," he said. "You NAV have
received injuries that you do not know
Of, and do not think it safe for Won ia
ride home alone. You are very pale. I
assure You, and your hand is unsteady at
the rein.'
/ did feel nervous and weak. and VA
not ct all unwilling the young stranger
should walk 1t my side; he locked so
handsome, with his gun slung carelesslv
over his shoulder, and his rather reckless
face turned up to me. He walked BY my
side up to the house, and, at my urgent
request, came in and received mammals
thanks for what he had done. He bowed
With princely grace, saying, "Breece
Roger. madame, is highly honored in
having the opportunity to do you or your
daughter = service" And then he left
us, With one last glance Of his dark, mas.
sionAte eyes. .... =; -.
The very next day he came hack.
bringing my scarf, which was lost when /
fell from my horse. And after that he
cane off and on, whenever he could flnd
prstext or excuse, until mamma became