The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-10-20

"What is the matter?" whispered, tor
was frightened about her.
"I'm too wicked to sing words like
these" she said.
She did not sing another note that
night, but when the meeting was about
to close she whispered to me:
''Now Phoebe, you mind don't loiter.
We're nearest the door; get outside just
as fast as you can before the people get
around us.
Now, in my heart would rather have
fingered little just for the chance OF
learning something that might explain
all, buG of course could not refuse to
do as Jennie said. We got out of the
door auickly-Jennie first, though hur-
ried as fast as could. Once out of the
door she took my hand and started off
like deer. The sky was overcast and
it had become quite dark. 1t was one OF
those hushed, breathless nights that
sometimes precedes a summer shower.
It seemed as if the very crickets were
smothered by the dark and the silence.
We ran headlong, but we knew the path
we'll enough and it was tolerably smooth.
We got we'll away from the crowd COM
ing behind us, and had turned off the
main street and were half way down the
second hill beyond. 1 was going to ask
Jennie to stop running, for was getting
out of breath, when suddenly some OBJ
stacle in the way struck our feet from
under u.s. We feel headlong over mass
of something hairy, soft and warm, and
our heads and hand were thrown sharply
against the gravel beyond. We could
not recover our senses before the heap
over which we had fallen began to rise
under us. I was rolled to one side and
Jennie to the other, and with snort of
dismay and displeasure Peter McCreery's
COW switched her tail across my face and
galloped off into the road.
She had been lying across the warm
gravel, and we had run full against her.
When l began to recover my wits l
heard Jennie laughing in weak, hys-
terical way; then she began to sob, and
then to half shrek again with laughter.
I slowly picked myself up, lame and
bruised. and very much surprised to find
that no bones were broken. Half the
plated fiounces of my dress that had got
over the cows horn was ripped off and
dangling under my feet. l could dimly
see Jennie sitting on the path where the
cow had left her, rocking to and fro, her
lace III Her Hau''S, u in6 "ue' A""SnA"S
both at once.
Invent to her, asking if she were hurt.
Cant you get up. dear?" l said.
"Just try and see. The folks will be
coming along pretty soon"
/ thought 1 had already heard feet
upon the path, and L did not want any
body to see Jennie quite like this. She
made a great effort to control herself
and to get upon her feet. l took hold OF
her to try and help her. But no sooner
did she attempt TO raise herself than she
fell back with little cry of pain, and
then began to laugh again in the same
distressed manner.
81 can't" she said. "It's my foot,
Phoebe. The COW trod upon it, and I
can't stir. What shall we do?"
By this time had caught her excite
ment, and was near to giggling as In
sanely as she. "What shall we do?" l
echoed.
But now there were approaching steps
upon the walk that we both heard.
Jennie knew them in minute, and that
minute restored her to herself.
"Phebe," she said. firmly, 9TH tell
YOU what we must do. You must run
home and tell father to come with the
wagon. I'll creep up here off the road
side, and keep perfectly still, and no.
body'll know I'm here till you come
back"
But can't leave you alone so badly
hurt. l can't, Jennie"
please, Phoebe! please hurry, dear!
Somebody is coming!"
I'm glad of it," said 1. Somebody
ought to come and help u.s."
"But Phoebe, Phoebe, don't let him
find us-it's John!'
II don't care if it is; I'm glad OF it,and
Just remember, if he was going over to
East Side with Jessie Sears, he'd not be
here now. You've been too quick,
Jennie; there's some mistake"
Poor Jennie could only give a little
moan of pain for answer. Her ankle
was beginning to hurt her badly. Little
as her moan was, John was near enough
to catch it, for at that instant we heard
his anxious voice calling:
"Glrls! Phoebe, Jennie, are you
there?"
There was silence for q minute, then
spoke OUT
Eyes, John, we're here, and We want
you"
"You want me! What is the matter?
What made you run away from me? l
got out az fast as could to catch up