The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-11-27

of Joe himself, that clutched at the
head of the horse, was. dragged onward
a step or two, then pulled aside, and
finally was left victor. the beast, quite
subdued now and trembling, in n lother
of foam. Mr.. Morton was trembling
as well as his beast, and it was diff
cult for him to quite understand the
exact tenor of the scene before him.
Kitty lay white and limp in Joe Com
stocks arms; 'her hanns were clasped
about his neck; her hat was gone
long ago, and her curly hair was
all tumbled about her face, which was
still as white as the accursed bowlder
before her mothers door; and once in a
while she sobbed out: Joe! dear Joe -
and Joe soothed her, and held her closer,
and murmured: kitty dear Kittyr'
and the yellow light of the waning
November day catching the diamond
again, il cleaned upon Kitty's finger,
that lay caressingly upon the sturdy
neck of Joe Comstock; and presently
saw the gem too, and slipping down
the ring from her finger, she held it out
to Mr.. Morton with that same shy, sad
subdued and altogether irreproachablt
expression that he had admired a few
miserable moments since.
"Keep it, Kitty" said Mr.. Morton
"keep it in any case. You'll allow her
to accept this little present, won't you
Joep"
eff it's all the same, I'd as lief she
didn't" said Joe, with honest SIMPLE.
ity.
And l am glad Kitty didn't get the
ring: she could well do without it, and
there was slim and tapering finger fal
away that had grown simmer and more
tapering Tor lack of this gem. The night
of the accident it lay listlessly in the lar
of Miss Van Vleet, and it did not seen
from the apathy of her face and manner
that any thing could induce her to lif
that fair, frail finger. The bell rang
but hope had cheated her so often not |;
hair of her beautiful head OF muscle
moved in response. She had ceased tc
expect the visitor she coveted, and al
others were Indifferent to her.
4" am so glad" said voice, I" to fine
you alone, Madeline"
The voice was so tender it made hel
heart beat, although she knew how de
ceptive that tenderness might be. How
sweet it was, nevertheless!
Another organ began to thump in th
room above, and the mild mahogany o
Mrs. Van Vleet's complexion deepenet
with anxiety and suspense as the i'm
portant moments wore away. At las
the light step of her daughter was at tn
door, and Madeline's face told the story
1t was radiant with JOY.
"Has he spokenP" said her mother, il
a husky whisper. "Great heaven! ha
he indeed spokenP"
"Yes, mamma" said Madeline, toy
ing tenderly with brilliant gem upol
her finger.
"Thank God!" said Mrs. Van Vleet
devoutly. "Then / will immediatel,
accept the coloners invitation TO
Thanksgiving"
And by the hoky!" said old Jo
Comstock, "we'll have Thank'givir
yet. I'm best if that there boy O. min
didn't say last night, Pappy,' sez he
well be gin fence down by that ther
gully, and drain the hull marsh by thi
time next year," and l jest nodded
for couldn't speak when ] found tina
there Western scheme o his had gOn
to thunder; and, gentlemen, I'm ope
to treat all round; but ask it, in n
honesty, what is Thank'givin' if ther
amt nothin's to be thankful for?"-
Hdrper'S Weekly.