Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-06-13

late 70 prevent the threatened attack
Starting from her passivity, she seize,
stone and hurled it full at the crea
tnrc. He had just paused and reste,
his crest to view his position. when th
stone struck him upon the back Of tn
head, aud with vengeful hiss be leap
ed into the air, then fell at full length
upon the ground and slowly expired
Bertrode stood looking at the dusk
length and bloody head Of the deac
snake. her mind in sort OF wonder thai
ANYTHING could be so loathsome, wher
she heard her name spoken. She raised
her eyes and saw Fennel Gould stand
ing before her. the young man look
ed at the snake with sort of shudder
and then said:
"Bertrode," you must have saved
my life"
IL suppose l did," she answered.
"The creature was coming directly to-
ward you. Did you ever see anything
so horrible, Fennel ?"
He took her hards; she hardly
glanced at him.
Darling" he said
She snatched her hand away in sud.
den impaticncc.
"Don't!" she said. 81 wish Won
wouldn't, Fennel"
"But love you"
II cannot help it,"
lie regarded her sorrowfuly. She
took her shawl from the grass and mt
il on.
ut is chilly here, and late and I
am going home," she said.
Tie walked silently at her side out of
the woods and across the wide fields OF
Growers Tract. Never was there a
more hopeless lover than Fennel Gould.
Al the farmhouse door be said, Good
night, Bertgode." She bowed, and he
went on over the hill in the warm gray
twilight, cursing his cruel fate As low.
ers have cursed their fates before.
Through o succession OF ho, days
The month went on. Before it had
passed, Bertrodc was taken sick-mis-
erably i'll of fever. She suffered weari.
someiy, but little could be done for
her. II was slow fever which must |
burn out its course. She was thirsty !
continually, and suddenly in the midst
OF her sutierings, the spring which had |
supplied her with cool water grew drv,
and ali other water tasted warm and /
orackish TO her fevered lips.
"lf only had some ice, mother she
Il know, dear. but there is no ice
in less than twenty miles"
loo i'll TO express her misery. the
poor, fevered girl fell asleep. to dream
If the old yellow Grover Tract stage
'training its way over the heavy sandy
'oads To Northboro. the only nisna
he refreshing ice she coveted.
at will be 50 nice !" she lnurmured
n her sleep. My throat is parched
md it will cool my drink so delicious
yw
A cricket sang in the heated wall
and woke her. She heard the stage
over the hill.
HAS it come. mothers" she asked. /
"What. dear? you are dreaming.
W axe up, and drink some Of this nice
iced lemonade"
lice. mother! Where did you get
it,"
"Fennel has been to Northboro, for |
it. He's very kind to you. Beriie'
dear"
ITS refreshing. How long have
been asleep, mother"
"All the afternoon, aud l really
think you look better. Berthe
Bertrode turned on her pillow and
fel. asleep again. In the morning she
was better. but not we'll. The pale lips
were still parched-the mouth 50 long
fevered, tasteless. She relished only
the drinks, iced and cool, which her
mother prepared.
One day she said:
How is it that that ice lasts so:"
"Why Fennel goes TO Northboro for
q fresh piece every other day. The
weather is so warm that it melts very
fast"
But it's haying time. dow can he
be spared"
"He goes at night after eight o'clock.
/ don't see how be can do it when he
works iu the field until be is ready to
drop"
Then Why do you ask him mother"
Goodness, child! ] never asked
him; guess l didn't! It's his own
service. / meyer dreamed OF asking
him. .-.l
Bertrode, bolstered up in bed sat 81.
lent awhile. .-.l-..