The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-05-25

ardent curiosity of their race they be
gan making advances with a view to 8
closer acquaintance. Atheline was city
bred, and of course she had an idea
that all animals in pasture were to be
regarded as savage, and with quick
bound she reached the top of a high
stone wall, intending to leap down on
the other side. But on the other side
there ran a wide, deep ditch near
ly full of water, and she dared not
make the leap. And to 90 back the
way she had come was impossible, for
the frisky colts were putting their heels
into the air in way extremely terrific
to Il woman with nerves.
Vert Fales was moving just beyond
the ditch, and directly he glanced up.
An amused expression came into his
face. Atheline could have forgiven
anything but that. And that, never!
He bounded forward, reached up his
strong arms, and, taking her down, car
ried her to the firm ground beyond.
How crimson her face grew!
How dare your she cried, hotly.
:" You looked uncomfortable. If you
are offended, save your anger for some
one who will appreciate it,
He took up his scythe and resumed
his labor. Atheline hurried home at
war with everybody. She ate no sup
per, and went to herroom at eight. She
tried to think herself disgraced by the
free touch of that country clown. The
hands he had held so close thrilled un-
der the cold flash of their diamond
rings; the cheek his soft hair had
| brushed glowed red as wine.
Miss Herne wondered what was the
the matter with her that she could not
sleep. The night was 50 warm! She
put her wrapper round her and sat the
| hours before the dawn away by her
chamber window, When she went
down to breakfast she found a copy of
Mrs. BrOwning's sOnnets on her plate;
the very book she had wished for yes
terday at dinner; and on opening it a
little slip of paper fell out. And writ
ten on it were the words:
Ispoke rudely to you yesterday; l am re-
pentant. Forgive me.
Although she had never seen his
chirography, she knew that Vert Fales
had written it. She tore the paper in
to shredS, shut the book and tossed it
among the papers on a side table, men
tally vowing never to look inside it so
long as she lived
DO not, beg you, get the impression
that this heroine of mine was bad tenn
pered; she was only proud and angry
with herself for seeming in any way in
terested in a vulgar laborer.
Before the week was out, she had
learned enough of Vertner Fales' his
tory to force her to respect him. His
father had been a wealthy merchant,
but through the yillainy of friends had
been reduced to poverty. He had died
shortly afterward, and left fragile
wife and two sons-Vertner and Juan.
Nertner was in college at the time,
within three months of graduation but
he left at once, and devoted himself to
the sad task of comforting his mother.
Without the means to pursue the study
of the profession he had chosen, he had
given it up, and engaged himself as
day laborer on the farm of Mr.. Mar
shall, where his remuneration was sure.
He had toiled early and late, besides
doing copying for a city register, in
order that he might be able to defray
the expenses of his brother at the uni
versity where he was studying for the
ministry. For Juan Fales was youth
of rare promise, but alas! he was blind!
Atheline heard the whole story, with
many touchingslittle additions, from
Mrs. Marshall; but she listened with
apparent indifference, and did not re-
mark upon it when the old lady had
finished.
A few days afterward, Vertner Fales
was surprised by receiving from the
treasurer of the H University a re-
ceipt in full for the two years expense
yet remaining to complete his brothers
tuition.
On writing to the gentleman he had
only been able to ascertain that the
amount of the receipt had been paid by
person to the treasurer unknown, who
stated that it was done by one strongly
interested in the education of the blind.
Vertner was mystified, but a great
load was lifted from his shoulders. He
could now give his mother some COM
forts of which she had been denied, and
which were essential to her enjoyment.
And seeing her so much happier, he
went about with a lighter heart, and
the people at Mr.. Marshalrs wondered
what had made such a change in Fales.
Atheline said nothing, but had she
chosen she might have explained the
mystery.
The summer wore away. 1t was very
delightful at the Marshall farm; Athe-
line grew more attached to the place
every day. But her city friends were
impatient to welcome her return, and
so the last day of August came, and she
was TO leave Alderville on the LIST of
September.
Toward shutdown she went for walk
in the south pasture where the asters
grew. 1t was long walk, and the sun
was sinking into mass of inky clouds
low lying in the west, before she was
ready to return. The wind muttered
dolefully in the pine trees; it was fall
ing dark very fast, and along the line
of black clouds she caught the glimmer
of lightning. There was a shower gath
ering.
She hurried on, her hair tumbling
about her shoulders in ripping masses,
her scarf lost, and her bare neck swept
by the electric wind. She caught the
first hoarse peal of thunder soon, and