The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-08-05

'He really is bear" Amy Herbert
said, as she hurried off with the child to-
ward the sand hills, pursued by the fast
rising tide; and yet, by his voice, am sure
he could be very nice if he liked.
Amy Herbert had no experience what
ever Of shy men. She was the only daugh-
ter of very wealthy Manchester cotton
spinner, and Manchester does not class shy
men among her productions She was ac-
customed to admiration, for she was pretty
and an heiress, and in both capacities made
much Of; but, though a little wayward and
willful-from always having her own way
she was really unspoiled, and was as
bright and lovable girl as was to be found
in the metropolis of cotton.
For the next two days Hugh Carson
missed the young lady and the child from
the shore, but several times he saw the
hutter of light colored dress high up on
the hills behind Barmouth.
THAT rising tide has given her fright,
he said to himself, 'sand they have taken to
the hills. Rather nuisance, because |
have done with these flats, and shall be
doing the hills myself However, they are
extensive enough without our running
against each other, as we always seem %
to BIZ doing here.
Iii fact, as Hugh and his acquaintance
took their meals at about the same hour,
and both came in az the very last moment
| for them, it is not singular that each day
they had, either morning, afternoon or
e2ening, met at least in the quiei little
I street: and each time Hugh raised his hat,
Miss Herbert bowed frigidly, and her little
cousin nodded brightly Once when he
passed the door Of their lodging, just as
they were going in, the child ran across the
road as her cousin entered, and put her
hand into his, and talked to him two or
three minutes, and conveyed to him the
thinks Of her mamma--who was not strong
and did not 90 out much--for having car
ried her across the tide For the next
three days Hugh Carson was engaged in
painting picturesque old farmhouse lying
far ON the hill. The subject was gCssd
one, and he set out to produce finished pic
ture on the spot, and worked at 1t from
early morning, as long as the light lasted,
making his breakfast and lunch of milk
and bread and cheese obtained Of the farm
house. Upon the third evening he was re-
turning from his work, walking along the
edge Of the hin, looking down upon the
sea, when he came upon the little girl lying
on the ground, crying bitterly.
aWhy, little one, what's the matter.
n. =
proaohing, leaped to her feet. and upon
seeing who il was. look of pleasure flashed
across her tezr-stained face.
s.Oh, please. SIR, do help mel Cousin
Amy has tunnbled down the Hill r
..Ciood gracious. child, where has she
fallen y Hugh said in horror. for the
spot where they stood was above one Of the
steep4t slopes between Barmouth and
Ha1sch.
seDown there, sir, she was picking =
flower when she slipped; and can't get q
her. but can see her
and the child led the young artist 10 >
point further on, where the plateau pro-
iected, and the face Of the bill where Amy
had fallen was visible.
The slope where she had slipped was
very steep, bat became even sleeper lower
down. Then rock ledge projected, and
below Il IN abrupt precipice como iifty fest
high Amy Herbert lay On the lege. She
had rolled down on to Il, aud had evident
n struck her head, for she was inscnsible.
The iedge was some three feet wide; and,
from the position in which the giri lay, {
was probable that. al the frss movement
the girl made as she came 70. she would
ron over the edge
sAll right, little one; don't cry; win
est to cousin Amy. She has hurt her
self, but dare say she win be all right
when GET to her.
Hugh spoke cheerfully, but he vas BY
no means sure that the girl was not killed.
He looked closely II the grassy slope Il
was easy enough 10 slide down; but once
down there was no getting up again. He
was fully mile and half from the town;
but he dared not run for aid, for If the girl
partially recovered she might be dashed %
pieces before his return IL was evident
that he must slide down 70 her. But the
child puzzled him He was afraid TO send
her to the village BY herself, afraid to leave
her alone on the top; besides, If they were
to stop on that ledge till help came, It would
be much more pleasant with the child there,
both for Amy and himself
Look here. Pussy he said, after
minutes Thought, .will you be a good,
quiet, little girl If | take you with me down
to cousin Amy p
The child nodded seriously
Here goes, then, he said; now take
hold Of my hand very tight, and We win 20
down as far as we can; then wen lie down
on the grass, you put your arms round my
neck, and we viii slide down.
So Is. was done, not without danger, but
Hugh was strong and steady; and lying on
his face, with one arm around the child,
he held on to the tufts Of grass, and let
himself slide as gently as he could Still
his heart beat fast for an instant when, on
reaching the steepest point of the slope,
they slipped down with rush the last if
teen feet 20 the ledge where Amy lay, half
over the brink Of the sheer fan below.
Now, Pussy, you sit down quiet while
/ see tsl cousin Amy
Very anxiously the young artist lifted
the girls head from the grass There vas
little pool Of blood below it, which had
flowed from a wound just above the ear.
He put his fingers to her wrist. and alters
minute Of anxious suspense, he felt faint,
fiickering pulse.
Then he took out whiskey flask, and
poured few drops between the clenched
teeth. Again and again he did this, the
child all the time sitting perfectly quiet,
and watching with quiet, frightened eyes.
Presently the girl sighed family.
sTake hold of cousin Amy's hand,
Hugh said, s'and when you see her open
her eyes speak to her gently. Tell her to
lie still; put your face close to hers, so that
she may see you when she opens her eyes. -
Hugh was sitting on the ground sup
porting the girl, whose head rested on his
shoulder. Presently there was movement
of the eyelids, and then slowly and Ian
guidly the eyes opened.
There, cousin Amy, are you better
now? Lie quite quiet You have hurt
yourself, and must be very good.
The eyes expressed recognition and
faint wonder, and then closed again. Hugh
waited little, and then poured few drops
more Of whiskey between her lips This
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