River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-02-24

few steps cot in the rocky cleft. They
were slippery from the unceasing
plash; the girl lost her footing, and the
next moment lay prone and senseless
on the cold, hard ground.
There must have been some power
full link OF sympathy-one of those
strange chords which unites heart to
heart-for passing foreman was inn
PEELED to take that very path, following
close upon MabePs steps.
He was returning to his home in
Clifton, and had left the high road for
a nearer one, but, fearing the stumbling
| of his horse, was leading the animal
along. A lady's handkerchief lay at
his feet, and as he gathered it up, a
peculiar subtle fragrance brought the
fair image of Mabel Hastings to his
mind then Imprint g a reverential
| kiss upon that delicate morsel of lace
and cambria. he hid it within his coat
breast, to be laid away with few now
withered flowers, treasured as her gift.
4 faint moan struck upon the traveller s
! ear.
"Who Is there ?" ne demanded
| There was no answer; but looking
around, he deserted poor Mabel lying
where she had fallen.
"Great heavens p he continued; sit
is Miss Has, .ngs."
He raised her carefully, holding her
in his strong arms. With little, shud-
dering sigh, the dark eyes Enclosed
and fixed themselves upon his own.
Il thought you would come. Doctor
Vane,,' she murmured; then her head
sank upon his breast and she relapsed
into forgetfulness.
Well might Ernest Vane feel bewild-
cred by ti.at strange apparition and still
stranger words, JOY, surprise and fear
for her safety all mingling in his
| thoughts. Then he was compelled to
place his lovely burden upon the cold
steps, while searching III a little wallet
he carried for some restorative, and
bind his own handkerchief over her
sorely cut and bleeding temple, ali the
while imploring her by endearing words
| to arouse herself, or both mus perish
of the cold. To Prgmalions statue,
life was given by all-powerful Love; so,
surely, by the same means, the faint
ing Mabel might be restored to con-
! sciourness.
Miss Hastings" was the doctors
| first remark, ''will you leave all matters
| to me in this emergency? Think it is
brother who is caring for you"
That was not very easily suppose
| ton, but Mabel acquiesed.
He lifted her light form upon the
horse, saying:
"Try to sit firmly, for | know you
| 4 NlTI;Fn %
gentle, and | shall soon lead him out
of his rugged path"
Then, mounting behind, he turned
in the direction of Ravenscliff.
How safe she felt, sustained by his
protecting arm, though all the time
wondering by what wild words she had
addressed him.
"Oh, Doctor Vane," she cried, what
will grandmamma think, and Cousin
Milly, ana every one, when they hear
of my visit to the haunted well?
My dear Miss Mabel, we will not
name it, Where found you shall re-
main profound secret between our
selves and st. Agnes"
II thank you, Docteri You are very
considerable But there are the old
lodgekeeper and his wife? How scared
they will be-
I'VE are certainly rather weird
looking party. You, envelopedi in that
snowy wrap and mounted upon White
Surrey, have some resemblance 10 a
wrath, or water-kelpie, or some other
dream of the imagination; while |
must be the demOn-knight who has
spirited you away But here we are at
the lodge and out of consideration to
the couples nerves, | will alight and
open the gate"
In few minutes the hall was reach
ed, and to Mrs. Brand, Norah, and
others Of the wondering servants who
came at length in answer to the doc
tors summons, he explained that Miss
Hastings, tempted by the beauty Of
rambled beyond the park gates, and
had fallen on the frost-covered road,
where he, upon his hOmeward ride,
had fortunately found her.
Then Mabel, desiring that her grand
mother might not be made acquainted
with the accident until morning, was
taken upstairs to her own warm room,
where the wounded temple was dressed,
a portion of Mrs Brands celebrated
elderberry syrup administered, and
Nab hidden to think of nothing but
rest and sleep, though probably that in
| junction was not fully obeyed.
Well, the formidable barrier was
eventually broken down, and Ernest
Vane dill speak the few words that
never would have been uttered but for
that eventful night.
At first, Mrs. Hastings strongly OBJ
| iected but, ON ascertaining the doc
| tors family were very well connected,
she somewhat relaxed.
q And you know, dear grandma
urged Mabel " if | were to marry Mr..
Durnford, | should be compelled to go
AMI keep up the dignity of Elm House;
or that Florentine nobleman, who
writes those long love-letters-hOw
far sundored we should be! Doctor
Vane has a good practice. He will be
rich some day; and grandma, | love
him."
That was unanswerable; SO as usual.
Nab had her own way. The young
couple were offered a suite of rooms
| in the old Hail. but Ernest declined,
/ SAVING ne sHoulu ne dG his olllCt All udS
and Will; them for relaxation only,
Mrs. Hastings at length, liked hlm
! greatly He was, she said, kind and
attentive as her own son had been.
He would bring her the newest
magazines and books. tell her the
events Of the day, and read aloud when
her own eyes were tired.
g Are you satisfied now, dear gram
dma?' whispered Nab
= Yes, dear, fully. Youth, and love,
and life do not last so many years. |
thank God for your deep happiness, my
children; and for myself, ! am con
tent
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4 Rich Literary PriZe---0ver 100000
to be Divided Between the Competing
ESSayistS.