Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-01

Stamping her small foot, she haughtily
replied:
''You have no right to make such a
statement! You are"---high and
clear through the woods rang gay
young voice:
"Where are you Halle Mcclure,
You promised to tend to the flre:''
and hastily obeylng the whimsical
summons. Halle fled, leaving the dis.
comfitted Mr.. Hamilton to console him.
self as best he might.
At sundown there was gathering
up of wraps and baskets, and a saunter-
ing homeWards.
"Where is Hallie?" queried two or
three some one answered that she had
gone nome with near neighbor, and
nothing further was said. Instead of
this, the young girl, restless after the
conflicting experiences of the day, had
wandered away by herself, for two rea-
sons-tO think it all over, and to get a
clump of maiden-hair fern. She saw a
tantalizing bunch growing far out over
the edge of a sWampy pool, and in
reaching for her treasure, slipped and
fell forward.
Poor little girl! The mud and water
was deep, reaching almost to her waist,
but worse than all, a sharp pain through
one slender ankle, and an ugly cut on
one wrist, proved all too truly that she
was severely hurt. She called again
and again, loud and clear, but only q
mocking blue-jay answered her; she
tried to get out, but the banks were slip.
perry.
Two hours went on-Ea.lie, natural,
ly courageous, was getting depressed
and frightened, and the pain in her an
kle was sickening; almost despairing,
she was about TO make one more effort
to free herself, when on the crisp twigs
sounded "a quick step, and a cherry
whistle rang out on the alr-it was q
difficult strain from "tle duet" IN
stantIy Halle took up the other part,
and the sleepy birds above her must
have been surprised at such burst of
melody.
There was a. moments astonished
pause. and then an anxious voice CALL
ed. "Haliie, where ere you?' and,
guided by her cry of joy, Fred came
springing over logs and bushes, till he
stood by the swampy pool.
1t was the work of but few moments
for his strong arm to rescue her from
her dangerous position.
AS she felt the firm ground under her
once more, the relief, the reaction, the
psin together, proved too much for Hal
lie, and shS sank in little, quivering
heap at Fred's feet. Not IN C {sint-;t
is only heroines in novels that faint so
easily-but white, sick and unable to
stand. Fred, though not knowing the
extent Of her injuries, was frightened at
wn.st ceemed to him deathly swoon.
In. an instant 20 Was on the ground
beside her, chafing the limp, vet in
gers, and resting the tired little head on
his shoulder. AS he gathered her SO
close to his heart, all the weary longing
of The summer, all the sternly repressed
passion Of ibis hateful day, found ut
terance st has lips.
"Oh! Halle, my daring, speak to
me-"
A faint, pink flush crept into the
white cheeks the brown eyes met his
with shy, sweet meaning in their
depths, and the little unhurt hand crept
timldly around his neck.
There was wedding at the merry
Christmas-tiGe.
Mr.. Hamilton so far recovered from
his defeat as TO send Halle, for we'd
ding present, lovely little escretoire
iuia1O "itu uiotHSI-ol-ptaIl. LII one Ol
its small compartments, wrapped in
charm TO lady's watch-chain, was a
tiny, silver-p plated whistle. The full
significance of this Halle hardly UNDER
stood, until Fred laughingly explain
ed.
They were standing by the sparkling
fire in their cosy parlor; suddenly Hal
lie faced him voIU.
Now that I am married woman,
Fred, do you want me to give up whist
iingsn
"Why, midget, OF course not, if it's
any consolation to you ;"-then draw
ing the curly head close to his heart. he
added:
"Oh, blessed little talent. Except
for that, might never have found my
darling.