The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-02-17

for a decisive effort.
 In front of the Gross Keys there was triangular patch of sodden tuf. and as Crusader came upon this he slackened his speed very slightly the major dashed alongside and seized the reins near the bit in his right hand, the horse, which was not vicious one, stopping after few struggles, after he felt the po~er at work on the curb; and the lady, falling, fainting, forward in a heap on his neck, would have tumbled to the earth had not the ever-ready major leaped from his saddle and caught her in his arms. It would have made a capital picture-the ] two horses stan ding, steaming and pant i ing, and the major staggering under the chin hung over his shoulder, while her hair, released from its bonds in her wild flight through air, streamed down his scarlet-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 glass of brandy, were the orders with which he stopped the mouth of the as- tonshed landlady.
 La. poor, dear young lady.~ said that female, in voice of sympathy, as she brought the restoring fluid. Gan I do anything for her, sirT'
 No. think not, said the major de- cisively 'I.eave her to me. I've had some experience in cases of this kind. !" and thrusting half a crown into the wo- mans hand he shut the door in her face.
 Well how she could ha' married he .' l said the woman to herself, as she re- turned to the bar. She evidently thought 1 from the majors want of sympathy that ] he must be the husband of the sufferer.
 The evening gloom was just closing in, and made the little back parlor look more c ard more dismal and dingy. The major raised the clinging veil sufficiently 10 thrust the edge of the glass between the lips of :he patient Presently the color l came back to her face. she drew long. gasping breath, and felt for her pocket handkerchief It was in the pocket of her saddle-the major instantly placed his snowy cambric m her trembling hand. Then she overflowed.
 The major waited little. Then he ventured 10 take the hand that was not occupied with his pocket-handkerchief, and said, in a tone of respectful tender ness:
 Don't, pray don't give way so !. You're quite safe, now, l assure you.
 Sob, sob.
 You don't know how have hoped. have longed 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. kisses her hand). that you do not forbid me. " I Business as before.1
 Sob. sob. sob.
 When will she s,op:" though, the major.
 You do not answer; speak to me or hear me while l tell you what l have wished to say for iong days past. Miss Harfora-Diana, love you..' That was deucedly well put, thought the major to himself.
 'sSlR.." said the lady, suddenly becom- ing electrified into an erect position
 Patty Miss Roseneath r' @"fes, Major Maloribanks. Miss Rose home, and never, never dare call me Patty again"
 "The-de-vil." said the major slowly, Ocncatn ms UfuStdCncS.
 You might have been satisfied with making fool of poor, silly girl withou, insulting her afterwards. Oh, how could you be so c-c-cruel"
 "I say. Patty-listen a moment-don', talk like that You don't suppose mean, to hurt your feelings! Hang it. ain, such cad as all that comes to. didn', know 1t was you-I took you tor
 ''Oh, know; you took me for Miss Harford. Dear Di ! she told me. e.you had been making love to her since you came. But thought you had only been f-f- flirting" said poor Patty. going of again
 Did she tell you that ?" said the ma jor.
 Yes and she said you were a 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 10 me down at Rosewood. Silly that l ever was to believe in a ma Jor.'
 Did pique and chagrin a, the intelli- gence that he had just received prompt the majors next impulse? Or did his better angel whisper to him that dinner of herbs with this little woman who re- ally loved him. and for whom he was conscious of feeling as nearly akin to that passion as he was capable of expert enoing. would be better than more splendid repast with her to whom he was indifferent Bitterly would he have de rided such an idea from another bitterly that morning would he have laughed at the thought of his present conduct. But few men act up to their principles; and it was with ring of genuine feeling in his voice that he sat down by Paty's side and said-but we vii! not write his words; they were greatly devoid of that artistic Auenoy which generally distin- l guished the majors utterances to the fair sex. but to Patty they sounded like flow ing honey.
 And you really will-and you're not sorry for what has happened?'
 Well said the major. looking down into her eyes, which gazed up through her tears, glistening with mingled light and tear-drops. perhaps 1t wasn't such an unfortunate mistake after all.r