Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-02-23


else docs, and | shall trust to your
courage and bravery in this dreadful
emergency"
a fierce spasm of pam crossed his
face. Then he turned away without
speaking, and took down his hat and
coat, and they walked together to the
door. He paused on the doorstep.
looking wistfuIly down at ler.
"llow can you get home :"
at is dreadful, know, Frederick .
nobody but she ever called him
anything but Fred-"but think
can get along" the wind nearly taking
her from off her feet as she spoke.
"lf | might take you,' he said, hesita-
ting, and adding, ''if y"u are not afraid
of being contaminated!
For answer she put ler hand into
his contidinglv. While she lived Bes.
sic Upton never forgot the close, nerv-
Gus clasp with which he held h0I
hands, but he lore her carefully and
teuderly to her door, aud then turn
ed away into the storm and dar kness.
One, two, three hours and, oh,
such long, interminable ages as they
seemed!
''Perhaps | have sent him to his
death, too" she moaned sadly. "Oh
if | could only know and see just
where they are.''
IF she could she would have seen Il
slight. determined figure, battling with
the strength of giant against the
wines that disputed his progress step
by stap. Falling sometimes over u
prostrare trees, anon borne down by
sudden avalanches of snow that pour
ed down from the trees overhanging,
yet struggling on with unabated zeal,
till he comes at last to II still, white
figure lying across the path, mixed up
aud held down by the debris of broken
wheels and tree limbs. He stopped
ami put his hands out moment; then
he lifted the confusing mass, and
taking the unconscious form in his
arms, turned toward home.
Two hours later, when poor Bessie
had nearly given them both up for
dead, Fred Wildburn staggered into
the room and laid her usband ut her
feet
Il have fulfilled the trust he said
family aud sank down beside Upton,
who VAS slowly rousing from the ter
rible chill aud torpvr that had over
powered him.
''oh, Henry, he has tainted. And
see"'
She grew suddenly white as she
pointed to small stream OF blood that
stained his shirt bosom.
Ii was morning before they could
get a physician there. Wildburn had
lain in an unconscious state all night,
but the ilew OF blood had ceased, ana
they thought it only the torpor of ex
haustion.
Poor Fred Henry Upton said
'.there WAS SINE good in him, after
all owe my life 10 his bravery, and |
shant frrget it in hurry. | have been
thinking, Bessie, that will take him
into the mil and see if cant make
srmethlng Of him yet intend to re-
ward him handsomely fer this"
lie paused and flushed little. Per
haps he remembered the l,gacy that
Of right belonged to him-F do not
know.
The doctor came at last; but his
grave face told the story before he
opened his lips.
There is no chance for him to re
cover he said. "rhere is an inward
hemorrhage, caused b, the long fierce
strain upon his system. He is rather
light, and you are II heavy man, Mr.
Upton. 1t is one Of Gods miracles
how he ever accom- nliShsd it,"
\ little after noon he opened his
syes aud lo"ked about him.
"Frcd," Mr.. Upton said, ftelingIy,
I've not treated you as | ought in
times past, and | didn't deserve this
at your hands. | want You to forgive
me, and"
Besides VIII, re is Bessie" he in :
terrup,ed iaintlv.
Iitit, uSai lidtl !CH, mere, anu
she took his hands in hers and bent
over him till he felt warm tear
splash on his fac.
"Oh. Bessie. its miserable l,fe
know, but It's all | have to give, and |
would give 1t hundred times over to
save You from SORROW, he said with a
smile tn gloiiiied his Coarse face. 1T
was my good right arm-the arm You
saved me. V, Il knew. dear. | It'd you
| should never forget, and never did.
Nobo Y but you ever trusted to the
god that was in me-litlle enough
there was" he said, dreanly, his voice
growing suddenly weak.
Bessie WAS crying softly. lie opened
his eyes and gave Que long, eager look
in her face, and in that wistiul gaze
Bessie Upton read the secret no one
else ev,r knew or guessed.
''lt seemed there was Il remnant Of
grace in Fred Wildburn, after ALL
said a neighbor to Bessie Upton. Il
hope it will be taken into the account
but | don't knew. Gods ways are not
is our ways