The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-03-29


pretty part of Whestchester, and con-
sequentlv Agnes passed many hours OF
the day alone but never had she felt
them so long and wearisome as they
were that morning. She ordered the
dinner, re-arranged the flowers in her
vases, wrote her letters, and Il note to
Mrs. Morris, to say they would he I'm.
able to come to her ball, and long be
fore it was necessary, put on her riding
habit, that she might he ready for
Edmund when he came home, then
ordering the groom to bring the horses
round at five o'clock, precisely, she
took book and sat down in her pretty
little drawingrOOm TO while away the
time till she heard the train approach.
ing that was to bring her husband
home. She had no fears as to their
meeting after their quarrel. She knew
well enough that she had only to give
Il smile TO receive one in return from
her loving young husband, and with a
happy light in her eyes, she took up
her book, and was soon deep in its alb
sorbing pages.
Ever and anon she would raise her
head to listen for the roar of the APP
preaching train; but it did not come,
and she resumed her reading. The
tramp of horses feet aroused her, and
going to the door, she found the groom
standing there with the two horses,
ready saddled.
"You are too early, Bayne," she
said. at is not five yet, and your
master has not come home"
beg pardon, ma'am," replied the
man, touching his hat, "but it's ten
minutes past five, and l didn't know
whether may be you'd ride to the sta
ton for master, The 'spress amt in
yet" %
Agnes paused and hesitated. She
rather wished to meet her husband
quietly at home, that she might tell
him how sorry she was to have behaved
i'll to him; But her pretty chestnut
mare was prancing and curveting, and
gathering her skirts around her, she
said:
Every well, Bayne, bring Zuleika
near, and you can mount Julius, and
walk home from the station"
The man obeyed, and they rode
gently to the little country station.
As they approached it, she saw her
father (N1r. Maynard who lived a
few miles off, riding towards it, and
turned her horse to meet him.
"Well, Agnes" he exclaimed, smil-
ingly, "are you come to meet your hus-
band, like a dutiful wife? | am ex>
pecting Linton down to spend a few
days with me, and am come to look
after him. How late the express is !!
I'll run in and see how soon they en-
pect it,"
He dismounted from his horse, and
entered the station, while Agnes sat
outside watching the people coming to
meet their friends or depart them>
selves. Mr.. Maynard staid several
minutes in the station, and when he
rejoined her, there was look on his
pale face that made his daughters
heart give a dull thump at her side,
and made her feel sick and faint.
"Be brave, my girl, and make up
your mind to bear a little suspense"
he said, laying his hand quietly on
hers. There has been an accident on
the line. The five O'clock express
has gone over the embankment, and
several passengers are killed and
wounded. l am going up the line
now, on an engine they are going to
send, and I'll bring Edmund back
with me, | hope. Trust in God, my
child. He may be all safe and sound.
Go home and wait as patiently as you
can"
Agnes heard him through. Her
heart was beating with slow, heavy
pulSations, and q numbness stole over
her whole body, but she did not cry or
faint One deep, heavy breath, she
drew; then in cold, hard tones, she
said:
"May / not go on the engine with
you ?"
"My poor Child said Mr.. Way
niard, ''yOu must not. Edmund
would not wish it. Probably he is
staying to help the wounded. Go
home, my child; l must be off. Be
brave"
She stopped and kissed him quietly,
and silently; and then, with fixed,
unseeing eyes, and pale, stony face,
rode home. Home to the empty