The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-12-13

few days, anyway"
But when work hours were passed,
the haunting thought again took pos
session of him. This blue-eyed girl.
whom ahe had known but brief month
he loved her!
After he had parted from her the
truth broke upon him. How fair and
sweet she was. and how fragile! Who
should win must keep carefully this
delicate flower, though May Probyn
was far from believing herself not
strong, and, indeed, had q peculiar
elasticity of constitution. 1t was rather
tenderness and sensibility of nature,
which seemed to need protection, and
the fostering care of love.
Did he read Alright those eyes of bluep
Had he found favor in their sightp
The thought made his countenance
luminous for moment; then it grew
downcast.
He was poor and homeless man.
He had no wish to wed one he loved to
such misfortune. What would any
woman gain by giving up her freedom
and independence to marry himp He
could not support wife in comfort.
He would never ask this girl to live on
the wages of a mining overseer.
How lovely she was in the Sunday
calm of the next day, walking slowly
along the pretty path of the old garden,
among the tall red hollyhocks, in a
dress of simple white, with ribbons to
match her eyes!
He walked by her side. The atten-
ton with which he regarded her did
not discompose her. It was part of
Mays charm that she seemed quite un-
conscious of her beauty, and unaware
of its effect upon others.
.'Haye you heard the. news she
asked, '''that the heiress of the Grange
is going to take immediate posses
sion?"
81 have not heard" And added,
''It does not matter to me-"
But something mattered. He sat
down wearily when she paused at a
rustic seat under an old tree.
1.-The housekeeper told Mrs. Lord,
our landlady, that they were expecting
Miss Verschoyle this week. But per-
haps you do not like to talk of thisp''
81 do notf' he answered, briefly.
He missed her glance of sympathy,
but he. felt that she pitied him; yet,
she could not know how the world
seemed chaos about him.
Would he had never been born if the
best things of his ife-affectien, home,
wife-must be denied him. He loved
this girli he would love no other, and
he could never call her his. Yet, the
reticent face of Oswald Tregarvis be-
trayed little.
Day by day he fought his fight. This
Miss Verschoyle, this unknown cousin
of his-how fortunate was she!
He recollectod that he would be ex-
pected to call on her. ALI, that was
asking too much! Though he need
have no anger against her. He had
heard that she had been poor. He be-
lieVod she was an orphan. Yes, she
was fortunate.
Round and round went the weary
circle of thought. There was nowhere
relief but in the depths of toll in the
mines. Physically wearied, he would
spend his nights in sleep instead of
thought.
At length came the day appointed
for blasting the huge mass of rocks
which obstructed the opening of another
shaft. The task was his, and the trust
an important one.
The train was laid and the locality
cleared. No need to warn those who
were familiar with the danger of such
an explosion, but lookout must be
kept for persons unconscious of the
peril. tz
Yet all seemed as it should be. The
sure red spot was creeping up the hill
on its way to the powder-filled drills.
The explosion would come, and no one
was liable to be hurt by the flying frag-
ments of rock.
Gathered in knots at intervals of safe
distances, the men waited for the terri
fic report of the blast.
Suddenly a hand grasped Oswald's 8
arm.
':Look there, boyr' whispered old
Mr.. Tregarvis, hoarsely.
Oswald followed his fathers point
ing finger to the top'of the hill.
A Woman's figure stood there.
Oswald did not know whom it was.
He only saw that she had come over
tho hill from the other side, and pass
ing, had turned to look back over the
landscape. He saw, too, that the other
men had come up around him.
''It's Miss Verschoyle. The Grange
carriage is at the foot of the hill,' he
heard one say.
''Shout, boys! Call to her! Warn
her OFF, he was saying, as he tore off
his coat
Oswald, my boy, you cannot do it.
The fuse is almost at the top, and you
have 81 long rum" said his father,
atching his arm.
Lord, yes, sir! You'd get there
only in time to share her fate" said a
young man, pushing his hand against
Oswald's breast to enforce attention.
"She can hear the caIlin' and yellin'
There's time enough for her to get out
of the way. You'll get yourself hurt
bad, sir.''
1t was only an instant of time that
Oswald fingered, looking at the motion
less figure upon the hill.
The girl wore grey dress, and a
white flower in brown braids looped up
under iaunty hat of black velvet. His
grandfather heiress! Only ono little
instant he fingered, but in that brief
time Satan made bid for his soul!
''She does not heed-she does not
understand" he cried, his voice break
ing strangely.
Then he was off.
He was a swift runner. He had a
powerful voice, too, and he used his
legs and lungs with the desperation.
The distant shouting had failed to at
tract the girls attention; but as Os-
wald came across the field, she turned
her head and looked at him.
In that instant his voice failed him;
but his wild leaps brought him to her
side.
MAY! are we too late?"
His cry, as he snatched her up, was
ambiguous; but she grew white
She clung about his neck. Speechless-
ly he bounded down the rocks she had
lately climbed so leisurely. Roots and
branches snapped under his strong
tread. Once ho slipped, and it seemed
as if they would be whiried to tho bot
tom; but clasping his precious burden
tighter, the young man bounded to the
hills foot, and springing into cave
lost his footing at last, and fell, as the
whole world seemed drowned In the
voice of the explosion.
He struggled up.
''My little darling! are you hurtP'
"No, no! But you look so dread
| fullv-Oh. what Is the matterp"