Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-05-11

pioy Will Aot3 % oIN AeA PCs OO& ~
home.
Philip Orne retained bis self possess.
ion, and just At the critical moment,
when all seemed loet he caught the
creature by the nape Of the neck, and
held him in powerful grasp. In vain
did the maddensd animal snap at his
captor, and writhe and struggle to es.
cape. The white fingers May had
secretly stigmatized As weak and eaemi.
nate, seemed made Of iron.
A few moments o. this horrible un-
eertainty-then the brute's eyes glazed
and he went into q ft. The danger
was not longer immediate, and Philip
relaxed bis hold.
By this time q policeman had arrived
on the spot, and with his pistol he soon
ended the poor creatures suffsrings.
May felt deeply Inundated at her in
efficiency in the hour Of danger For
all that she had done with her fancied
frmness of nerva, that dimplsd little
form might now have been mangled
and torn by those huge tangs in which
lurked poison as deadly, and more
to be dreaded than that Of the rattle
snake.
She caught the child in her arms and
almost smothered her with kisses then
she turned to Philip.
9''Mr. Orne, I own you debt which
nothing can repay. If this little dar>
ling had been bitten should have felt
all through my life that it was owing
to my lack of presence Of mind in not
snatching her from the threatened
danger" rqes bsqas
Her overstrung nerves relleved::them
selves in burst of tears.
"Don't speak of tit is best forgot-
ten. Will you take my..arm. You are
looking very white" May accepted the
profsred arm, and they: walked on in
silence. - a4} ai .Tgu H
Philip did not underrate the danger
he had escaped. He well knew what a
false aim in Selling the rabid animal,
or the slightest relaxation of his iron
muscles, would have exposed him to
to suferings compared to which the
tortures of the Inquisition were but as
shadows He felt as man does who
has met Death face to face.
May was Of a frank, open nature, and
she felt that she had done this quiet
man injustice. She had undervalued
him, and she must make confession, or
never again feel at ease in bis society.
"Mr. Orne," said she, hesitatingly,
will you forgive met l did not give
you credit for such courage. Itho't-"
"Say no more, Miss May" Philip an
swered, as he gazed into her brown,
tear.clouded eyes. at would not be
In mortal man to resist 80 tair pleader
whatever might be her offence. May I
not reverse our present positions, and
become the entertaining party myselff
There was q meaning IN bis quiet
tones which thrilled to Mays heart aud
made it throb unanimously.
Philip saw her agitation and took her
little hand in his warm, firm clasp.
"Miss Alleyn-May-will you prove
your contrition by given me the sole
right of this soft little trembler I"
As May listened she knew that Philip
Orne would henceforth be to her life IS
the sun to the flowers, but = strange
timidity sealed the lips usually SO ready
with their gay retort. 7
Blushing and confused, she strove to
withdraw her hand. He lovers ardent
chances studied the sweet face, with its
dewncast eyes. -.
eff you do not answer, | shall think
silence means consent"
One swift glance at his face.
"Plsase, Mr.. Orne, my fingers are
net made of iron.''
He dropped her hand with = panied
look. 90
81 beg your pardon
The rest Of his sentence was unutter-
ed, as May was flying up the lawn like
wild thing.
This evasion Of = direct answer was
= new phase in Mays chara ster. but
Philip read its meaning correctly. A
denial Of his suit would have been
prompt and decisive. Her giffish
tilnidity caused Hope TO- fold her snowy
wings and make dwelling within hia
heart. p a
He did not succeed in seeing May
alone until the morning Of hia de-
parture but the previous evening he
gave hers bouquet of English violsta
with 4 note hidden in its fragrant
depthbrsquesting her to wear his Offer
ing as breast knot if abe could ~.
spond to his love. ~
When they appeared It breakfaat, the
sweet, shy face was auffased with blush
es as Philips eyes reated upon it for
beneath ihhreathing forth their precious
meaning, rspoaed his gift,
When Philip returned to his city
home he bore With him the hope that