Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-15
began to loosen the pebbles and earth about its

began to loosen the pebbles and earth about It's
edge. when, TO her great astoniShmsnt, the
whole ledge suddenly gave way, AMI with a
scream OF terror, which was echoed from be-
MIND the vines, down she went, In the mi 1St of
the rocks, earth and heritage, claShing and clar-
teT1ng, never stopping until she lay at the
rivers edge, ankle deep 10 the soft mud 40 )ut
It's margin. But she had scarcely landed when
she was upon her feet again, aud saw Mamie
pale and trembling with fright Fastening
down the hill; then. turning about, she saw
something else, which sent the blood from her
lips and caused her to grow cold with terror;
for, stretched upon the bank was handsome
young man, his face as white as the dead and
astream of blood running across his face.
"Manie, she gasped, 1--WE Killed him.
They looked at him and each other with chat
terlng teeth for moment. but soon collected
their senses. and one Of them stanched the
wound In his cheek and drenched his face with
cold water, While the other ran for help.
They soon succeeded In getting him carried to
the town, and then returned home subdued
ana frightened. Mollie. with many tears and
bushes, told her parents just how 1t had come
about. She learned from her father that he
was young man, Russell By name, who was
stopping IN the town for few days upon some
there. The next day her father came to her
with very grave face. "Mollie :" he said, "Mr.
Russell has been hurt more seriously than Was
at first supposed. Yesterday the doctor thought
there was nothing but a few bruises aud That
cash on his cheek. Now 1t appears tnat his
head has been injured, too, and brain fever has
set 1n."
Molile heard this with hysterlcal choking In
her throat der mother felt that her punish
ment was great enough, and refratned from ad-
ding further reproof, other than my daughter,
let this prove lesson TO you"
ION. mother. mother. If MIR. Russell gets well
shall never try another trick; and IL ne do e3-
Mt" and she buried her face, sooDing, IN
her mothers lap.
1t really proved to be serious case. For sew
eral weeks MT Russell fingered just on the
brink OF death. During all that time Mollie was
q CHI rir1 fnttu hNyf fho
house. with pale face and great sal eyes,
speaking but few words, and frequently sitting
for hours at time without moving or speaking
word Her parents began TO fear that her
reason would be unsettled, and when finally a
change for the better took place in RusseiPS
condition, they were doubly grateful, for they
were satisfied that two lives had depended upon
that ISSUE
AS soon as the young mans condition would
allow 1t, MIR. Welmuth had him removed to his
own house In order that he might receive every
attention and comfort. As long as he was un-
conscious, Mollie was almost constantly In the
Sick room, and waS unremitting In her care and
solicitude for mis- welfare. The changetn tue
girl was remarkable; from a careless, romping
hoyden. she hid become changed into thought
ful. caTe-taking woman far beyond her years
But, as soon AS Russell began to take any
notice OF those who were ABOUT him, she
absented herself from his room, ex-
cept while he was asleep. Then she
would go In, noselessly move about, caring for
the room, or seat herself by the bedside until
he would show signs OF awakening, when she
would quietly leave again. She kept this no
until he began TO grow quite strong again, and
had demanded to know where he was and Wny
he was there. Mrs. W'elmuth told the whole
story, and then commanded him TO go to sleep
Without asking any more questions; soon after,
she left the room Just as MOIlie entered IL wi h
handsome bouquet, which she placed on a
table, and after lingering mOmant was about
to leave when Russell, opening his eyes, stared
at her for moment and then asked for q drink
OF water. She gave It to him. but he held it In
his hard without tasting 1t.
ARE YOU" he began, but stopped short
without finishing the question.
''Mollie Welmuth," She replei
The young lady" and again he stopped,
hes1tatingly.
She finished the sentence for him, making a
brave effort TO keep her voice steady and The
tears out Of her eyes; "Who, to crafty foolish
desire for fun, almost killed YOU Mr.. asset.
on my knees could beg your forgiveness. al
though know that the mischief has been done
and that no amount OF repentance On my part
can undo It,
MISS Welmuth," he replied, 81 am afraid YOU
feel this too deeply Your pale face shows that
you have suffered as much as have, and even
more. II you almost took my life once, your
careful nursing has saved 1t afJerWard. Here
extending his haDd), let this be token OF
mutual forgiveness"
From that time. he was not satisfied unless
she was constantly by his side. He made her
read to him; she talked and laughed with him
long drives through the country. He ENJOYED
her bright conversation and lively sallfes; and
as her presence seemed TO have beneficial
effect upon him, Mrs. Welmuth told her to 20
and do to him whatever good she could. Her
health aud spirits began to revive, and her
cheeks TO regain some or their former color. But
she was entirely cured of all her boyish haDlt5
and hoydenish actions Some natures never
wholly develop until they receive q severe
shock, W hich disturDs the mental poisa through
OUT ara brings 10 light qualities, full bio W.
them, So il was with Molie She began 10
show q consideration and respect for others
which her parents had never supposed her to
Nj. Russell gained In health and strength so
rapidly that II was not long before his physician
declared him able 10 proceed on his Journey
Accord,n2.y, ne TOOK leave OF his friends. de
ciarlng that he owed debt OF gratitude 10
Molie for being The cause or his having made
much pleasant acquaintance, and went on his
way.
A few weeks afterward there came letter
bearing The postmaCk OF distant city, and con-
tainlrg wedding card-JOhn Russell and Miss
Annie Jones. That night Nj. Welmutn said 10
his wife:
do you think that Mollie felt anything more
than pity for that man Russel?"
81 don't know" she replied. "lt is hard to
be placed in. The shock and change In her
whole nature made 1t still easier for some other
feeling to spring up. But IL is possible she felt
nothing but anxiety for his welfare and pity
was thoroughly honorable and never gave her
the least cause for thinking such thing posi-
Ole. His sending this wedding card is another
precaution which l am glad he took. And |
think he felt warm. honest friendship for her:
out whether there had begun to be anything
more on her part We can never know. for she
would be too proud to admit it nOWn
ana they never did know. although Mamie
Harding's quick eyes caught a Slight flush on
Molges face as she exclaimed, after reading the
card.
"Fudgel Mollie, he didn't have the least idea
Oh what was appropriate, or he would have pro-
posed to you, and you would have been mar
REQ on the spot The idea.-So romantic a
circumstance not to end in the MARRIAGE of the
principal actors! Humph! Let me c0ngratu-
late you On escaping the horrible destiny of
oelng tled with so -unromantic a soul. "-SGn
Francisco Ar ,JHdut.
Sinking Jury Duty.
we thought We had heard OF every conceiv-
able excuse for Sinking Jury duty out a new