Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-04-20
Gales arlo Skrttbts.
fn nAJoR's MISTAKE.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


turninp Zerlina's head without the least
hesitation at the quickest. Two or three
intense strides rise, and crash oil
fviQs.-a rattle of horse hoofs as they pat
ter On the hard road. as Zerlina just man
soes TO save her knees and nose from
damage bv q clever recovery, and then
the Major, as cool as If he had been hop
pin9 over a gutter instead Of one OF the
ualiest drops in his experience, set her
going in pursuit.
About bali mile from the place where
this stern chase commenced. where the
road was crossed by another at r'2ht
angles. stood an inn called the Cross Keys.
The MOTOR knew this, and also that on The
other side Off the road dipped down into
rather steep hill. He had got up some
20 Yards nearer when the inn appeared IN
sight, and. keeping on the turf at the side
of the road. that the noise OF his approach
might not add fresh speed 10 the runaway.
he called on Zerlina smartly for decisive
effort.
In front of the Cross KEYS there was a
triangular patch OF sodden turf. and as
Crusader came upon this he slackened hts
speed very slightly: the Major dashed
alongside and seized the reins near the
bit In his right hand. the horse. which was
not q vicious one, stopped after lew
struggles. as he felt the power at work on
the curb; and the lady, falling fainting
forward in heap on his neck. would have
tumbled to the earth. had not the ever
ready Major leapt from his saddle. and
caught her in his arms. 1t would have
made capital picture-the two horses
standing steamiDg and painting. and the
Major staggering under the weight OF the
senseless damsel, whose chin hung over
his shoulder-while her hair released
from its bonds in her wild flight through
air. streamed down his scarlct-coated
back.
With some difficulty the Major carried
his lovely burden into the porch OF the
Cross Keys.
"Show me private room, and get me
q glass of brandy ~ were the orders with
which he stopped the mouth Of the as
tonished landlady.
LA! Poor dear young ladyp' said that
female In voice Of sympathy rs she
brought the restoring fluid. Can | do
anything for her, sir p
mo, 1 think not" said the Major de-
cisively. Leave her to me. I've had
some experience in cases of this kind. :"
and thrusting half a-crown into the
woman's hand he shut the door in her
face
well, how she could ha' married he :"
said the womsn to herself. rs she returned
to the bar. She evidently thought. from
the Majors want of sympathy. that he
must be the husband Of the sufferer.
The evening glooms were just
closing in. and made the little back par
l0r look more and more dismal and dingy.
the Major raised the clinging veil suf-
6ciently to thrust the edge of the glass be-
tween the lips of the patient. Presently
the color came back to her face. she drew
o long gasping breath. and felt for her
pocket-handkerchief. 1t was in the pocket
Of her sadde-the Major instantly placed
his snowy cambric in her trembling Land.
Then she overilowed
The Major waited little. Then he
ventured to take the hand that WAS not
occupied with his ket-handkerchicf.
and said In tone of respectful tender
ness,
Don't, pray don't give way so! You're
quite safe now, assure you"
Sob. sob.
..If you knew how every sob you utter
ing to say, then he thought of breast. :"
and finally substituiedD "heart, you-you
wouldn't keep on So"
Sob, sob.
"You don't know how I have hoped
have lonced for a moment like this; to
hold your hand in mine. to feel that we
are alone together. that you do not re-
pulse me. that | am permitted" (kisscs
her hand) ''ihat you do not forbid me-"
business as beiore.)
Sob. sob. sob. when will she stop?'
thought the Major.
"You do, not answer; speak TO cor
hear me while tell you what | have
wished to say for long days past Miss
Hartford Diana. love your' That was
deucedly well put" thought the Major to
himself
"SlR!" said the lady. suddenly becom-
ing electrified into an erect posture.
"Paity Miss Rosencath,''
''Yes. Major Majoribanks. Miss Rose
meath. Oh, take me home. take me home.
and never. never dare to call me Patty
again!
"The-de-vil =" said the Major. slowly,
beneath his moustaches.
"You might have been satisfied with
making fool OF poor silly girl without
insulting her afterwards. Oh. how could
you be so c-c-cruel 2''
II say, Patty--listen moment-don't
talk like that. You don't suppose l meant
to lhurt your feelings? Hang it. ! amt
such q cad as all that comes to. didn't
know 1t was you-I took You for''-
''Oh, know; you took me for Miss
Hartford. Dear Di she told me YOU had
been making love TO her since YOU came.
But Thought you had only been fl-H-
flirting" said poor Patty. going off again
Ibid she tell you ,hat?'' said the Ma
jor.
"Yes; and she said You were con-
ceited man, and she was afraid every day
you'd propose, because she would have
the trouble OF refusing you. never told
her all you said to me down at Rosewood.
Silly that was. ever to believe in Ma
jorr'
Did pique and chagrin at the intelligence
that he had just received prompt the Ma
jor's next impulse Or did his better an
gel whisper to him that dinner of herbs
with this little woman who really
loved him, and for whom he
was conscious of feeling rs near