St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-05-27

lovem
''No, no. | cried; ''but do not speak
such words, they break my heart
God keep you from harm. He will !
He will ~
She shook her head, and tear trick
led down her cheek. "Tell thy errand
to nome" she said earnestly. "The
men love the sight o. thy bOnny face,
even the toughest of 'em; but they're
not theirsers now; they're lOike wild
beasts mad wi the taste q blood
they'd shoot yo' down like rat if they
guessed yer errand."
had hurriedly fetched a glass of
wine, and now held it to her drawn
lips.
Drinks good servant, but bad
MASTER" she said, when she had swal-
lowed it, "and happen I'll get whoam
the better for that. Goodbye, my
lady
| have always been impulsive-at
least believe so; at all events, i'll an
other moment my lips were pressed
against Lizzie's sunken cheek, and her
tears and mine mingled. We stood
thus, hand in hand, no longer divided
by any thought of class or caste, only
two sObbing, troubled women, and
then
Like a shade that had come and gone,
as strange apparition might do, the
tall figure, with the shabby shawl gath
cred snOod-lile over its head, had glid
ed away among the trees, and | was
left alone to think.
Time-precious time-was gliding
| by. | had-hOw long to reach the
mills? Scarce an hour.
How should go? By which of the
two roads would John come? | stood
out on the green, velvety lawn where
of an evening he smoked his cigar
while | sat by. | remembered this as
| stood there, and had to crush back II
cry that rose to my lips.
Just at that moment, once more the
low, soft whinny came from Lassie's
stable. Then | knew.
The groom was crossing the yard !;
and speaking measuredly, as one in
great haste, | told him to saddle the
little mare. 81 am going to ride to
meet your master; you need not come
with me-"
Then | turned hastily towards the
house, fearing some expression of sur
|
| remembered Lizzie had said, ''Let
no one know thy errand."
TO fly rather than walk to my bed
room, to equip myself i'll my riding
dress, in SO short time that it was Il
wonder that mortal fingers could
achieve the task, and then, just for one
moment, to steal to my darling's little
bed not to weep, tears weaken at such
time, but just to kiss the cheek flushed
in sleep, and lying in such sweet re-
pose upon the tiny open palm.
''Oh, baby !" said, bowling my head
upon my hands as knelt, 81 am going
to save him-for you and for me y
And sobbed, though my eyes were
dry.
Who, watching sleeping infant
has not seen that sudden, ineffablt
smile that, like sunbeam playing OF
the petals of flower, parts the sweet
milk -bedewed lips, and passes swiftly
as it came9
: chose to take that smile as good
omen: | chose to think Heavens an
gel, in my hour of need, stood by me
; and the closed violets of my darling
eyes saw the ministering presence.
: head the clatter of Lassie's hOOfi
= upon the stones of the yard. | stayet
, one fleeting instant at the nursery
door, and then down the stairs, ou
: through the pretty porch, one sprin:
=. to the saddle.
Oh, it did not take long, and w
were on our way-On our way upol
E the journey that meant life or dealt
l for him and for me-worsc than dealt
if the worst befell.
e | dare not hurry much at first
\ knew that the hedges had eyes, AM
i the trees ears. How they sighed abOv
D my head as the evening wind swaye'
them gently!
| clinched my hand on the handle O
i my riding whip. | set my teeth hard
L | fought for patience.
Every moment was ''jcwcl of grea
+ price" and yet | dare not hurry. No
: yet. Once the horrible gloom of TIL
: thick wood past, and then the terribl
!, choice between the two roads wOul
o lie before me.
| NV heart beat so thick and fast
d scarce could draw my breath and jus
S as we were near the thickest part {
5 the bush and trees something stirred
II while Lassie gave Il sudden start an
then bound.
''Steady, steady, little one" l sait
r, speaking out loud; ''it is but a poo
q, silly sheep that has strayed into tn
wood"
III Lassie trembled, as / could feel
but she stepped on quietly enOugl
g. and-Heaven knows where woman
4 strength comes from at such times
let the rcins drop loosely on h'
Il, t, %
IS. went along.
IN The stars that listened could n
ID think woman rode a race of life
it death for the sake of the man 81
I'd loved could theyG
at We had reached the fork of the tv
e. roads the dark shadow of the wo,
lay behind us. A touch, and the ma
up stood still.
r. (Which which o my God! he
he me guide me, =" prayed.
,r. Then let the rein drop on Lassi'
he neck, closed my eyes, and gently urg
eft her on. She took the way that lay
IN the left. The choice was made.
Maddening thoughts throbbed
,io my brain. Was John, even now,
,if Lassie's willing hOofs rang ont on t
II. hard road, coming along the almC
by parallel route, each step of his trus
nv steed leading him nearer death
nd had some blessed chance delayed hin
Should find him at the mill 7 WOU
ed Heaven be so merciful as that to me
Iv Three miles three miles! did eN
,ils the road, cleaning palely white bef,
nv in gathering dusk, seem so long befO
ust The night, like soft curtain, was t
mn ling upon the world; saw a sin
a. star glimmering above-the ro|
~ sang no more.