The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-10

NOW YOU ask 10 lnuCD, repleu MdrlOH
'My hopes, my heart. my life, you may
have. but not this lovely new plaid wrap"
bugging the article closely about her.
''Adieu, then, until to morrow, responded
Elsie gathering the reins more securely IN
her hands.
Thmble danced a little, which was his
way of saying he was more than ready. His
mistress shook the lines and he started his
banged fore-top flying backward, his
snowy hogged name standing up very thick
and straight.
The two girls watching could not help en-
vying Elsie the fleet Texas pony which she
had ridden constantly for more than year
You know we can't afford to have HIM"
Elsie had said in confidence to Marion; ''but
father consented to buy him if L would
really wear my old dresses and hats, so that
Thimble could have the money for his food.
promised, and now if get so shabby you
are ashamed,Oflm why, lshall have to bearit'
that's all. But wouldn't give up Thmble;
| he knows more than all of put together"
Il believe il" Marion had said, standing
with her nrm over the pOnYS neck. his
eyes not as bright that for nothing.
| And as for being shabby, why, I'd rather
wear blue gingham all the rest OF my LIE
and have such love of a beastie! and she
! kissed him on the end OF his soft nose-a
careSs which he bore with calmness, evident
] ly having his own opinion about the useful
| ness Of girls in purveying him goodies.
Now as Elsie rode out of the yard the
northeast wind came sweeping full IN
her face, bearing with it fine
storm. But what cared she! Her blue jack
ct was buttoncd tightly across her chest, and
her hat pulled firmly down over her FORE
| head.
You'll have it full upon you" called
Kate
Ano Marion put her hands to her mouth,
and shouted Elsie, ware the marshes OF
/ Saugusp
The rider turned and waved her hand, and
then the pony settled down into his
quick lope, and in q moment Elsie and
| Thimbe were out of sight, shut in on the
long. straight road by the thick storm, which
came on with that sudden sweep which
characteriZes one phase of a northeast storm
on the New England coast. 1t did not rain;
| it was a thick mist, and smelled as salt
though the ocean were tossing up its spray
| just the other side of the road. 1t had been
short of dry storm" all day, and the ocean
| had been moaning loudly.
| The two girls turned and strolled toward
| the large boarding house which stood at the
| farther end of the academy yard, 1t was
almost dark, but there was going to be
| moon.
A side door opened suddenly. and Miss
| Monroe, the principal, appeared.
Elsie Chaplin has not gone" she asked
| quickly.
| Yes, n few moments ago"
81 am sorry. l intended to ask her to stay
here over night The storm is coming on
| furiously 1t was only yesterday l spoke to
| her mother telling her not to be anxious
| when it was very bad weather, for l should
| keep Elsie 1t is too late In the fall for her
/ to 20 so far when it is not pleasant"
Tie kind face looked so worried that Ma
riOn said, with the earneStness!of conviction,
Miss Monroe, the pony will take her home
| safely; lie will get there in less than half an
/ uoI ivnn M flSt no 90 n CrOi
Out IN the increasing storm Elsie was
| sitting her pony with her head bent down.
| and her lett hand holding the bride loosely
| Thimble's small feet clattered swiftly
over the stony road, and every time he felt
| the bride shaken OH his neck he dashed for
ward still faster, the darkness thickening all
| the time
| Their way lay along wide stretch of salt
| marsh and the road was only a few feet
| above the level of the low field which stretch
/ ell out for hundreds of acres. In such a
/ storm one might wander here for days even
and not find his way, nor see a sight save the
| log. nor hear sound save the swash of the
| sea far down at the shore, and the cry of
wild birds who were hurrying to their South
/ ern homes.
| Far ahead-or it looked far in the dark
| mist-Elsie suddenly saw the CLEAN of a
| light it shone palely in the watery atmos.
phere. 1t seemed to be on the road, and the
| girl rapidly approached it, pulling up her
pony few minutes later as she saw ii was q
/ market wagon which went by her home
| twice week. The man walking by his
horse, and swinging lantern as he went
| 'HullOl" he cried, spying the white ami
| nal. BE you Lab Chapin's darter?''
Eyes, sir"
| Il was about sure OF it from the pony. |
| never calkilated to see you, but there's a
mighty row down to your house"
"What?' said Else, sharply, her mind go.
| ing instantly to her mother whom she loved
with all the faith and affection of loyal,
upright nature, and who had been an inva-
| lid so much of the time that Elsie always felt
/ kind of care for her.
| Yes" went ON the man, with that curious
satisfaction in telling unpleasant news that
| Chaplin she was sent for bout nine o'clock
! this morning to 90 to Bill karters on the
marsh end cause his child was sick The
| child died. so they tell me. and Miss Chaplin
| Yer own mother, amt it?'
Yes! yes" said Elsie, breathlessly.
IVA al. she started about two o'clock to
| come home, and she amt got there yit. Yer
father he happened to see some one that
| knew she started and now there's parcel of
| men gone out to find her. They think she's
| got bewildered in the fog, We see"
| Elsie's voice was high and strange as she
| asked:
How long ago? did they start, l meant
Did they take the dog with them?'
Don't know; guess not; | didn't see no
dog"
Else's mind ran riot for a moment with
out her having the least control of it. She
turned Thimble so that the cart passed on;
but instead of allowing the pony 10 go on,
| she checked him, and he stood impatiently
shaking his handsome head, switching his
square-cut tail. and putting back one ear, as
if to ask what was the meaning of this.
The light the market-nan carried was soon
swallowed up in the darkness; and now Ell
sic looking before her, knew that il her pony
had not been white she could not have seen
its head, so dense was the atmosphere that
encircled her.
Not for many seconds of time did the girl
hesitate.
There's small chance of finding her unless
they went after the dog" she said. 81 can
find her with Max" She knew that Max
had gone home with cousin of hers who
lived a mile beyond her own home he fire.
quently staid there for several days at a
time.
II can find her; / will find herr she
cried. go, Thimble--go as you never went
before!"
The pony jumped forward, neighed shrilly,
and then settled down. Elsie knew he could
do his mile in four minutes we'll enough and
| she had no uneaSiness concerning the wav