Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-16

UTlVor SIG Will % sure TO get SaIoIy OuG U
it," said Carrie. By and by, however ,sh'
became uneasy. The snow had AGAR
commenced to fall, and it was getting
late.
ARTHUR said she would you mind
going to n at Dorothy !? The drift at the
turning r ay be too deep for her to gel
through
A mile from the house passed the toll
gate. The keeper informed me that Miss
Lee had pa ,sed there some two hours pre-
vious. and, he feared, she had returned by
the meadow road. The bridge on that
road was not safe to cross when the holes
in it were hidden by the snow.
put my horse to his best pace. and
soon came upon fresh tracks of sleigh.
Within sight of the bridge discerned the
little cutter, gliding swiftly forward to
where the black railing spanned the deep
stream below.
i Dorothy turned on hearing my voice.
'Don't attempt to cross the BRIDGE"
cried; "it is broken and dangerous p
| She hesitated one moment, then drove
straight forward. Before could reach
her she had passed the middle Of the
bridge, and turned her head with a half
triumphant, half defiant glance at me.
at that moment her horse slipped, snor-
ted and commenced plunging wildly. His
foot had gone through broken plank,
and I heard the cracking Of the splinters
as the rotten wood further gave way be-
meath his weight.
sprang from my horse, darted for
ward, and without moments pause
caught the girl in my arms and set her
safely upon the opposite bank. Then l
selzed the bride of the struggling horse,
and with some difficulty lifted him from
his perilous situation, and led him limp
ing and snorting TO the firm ground be-
yond.
Ills he hurt ?" said Dorothy. eagerly.
''Not beyond few scratches and
bruises"
She drew a breath as of relief; then
turned upon me with head erect and GRIM
son cheeks.
"What brought you here ?" she de-
manded.
"Your sister sent me in search of you.
1t was fortunate chat arrived just at the
moment I did,
1T was no business of yours to look
after me; and you-l-you had no right
to-to-"
"No right to save your life, you would
say. Do you know that ii had not been
here the horse and sleigh would have gone
through the bridge with you ?'
She looked down into the sullen stream
with sort of shudder.
81 suppose ought to thank you," she
said, in more subdued tone.
''Not at all, If you don't feel disposed to
do so 1t cost me nothing I answered.
quietly. but now that the runner is
broken and your horse famed pray take
mine and get home as quickly as possible,
in order to relieve your sisters anxiety"
mo thank you,' she answered, COM
posedly, IT will walk.''
And she did walk, the whole remaining
mile home; where. on my arrival 1 found
her looking more quiet and subdued than
usual.
Next morning she came up to me as
stood before the fireplace in the parlor,
after breakfast, with my sprained wrist in
sling.
"Mr. Eustace, why did you not tell me
yesterday that yeu we're hurt ?''
"You did not ask 1t was the horse that
you inquired AFTER" answered, gravely.
Besides. had no idea that you would
take any interest in anything concerning
myself"
She raised her eyes quickly to mine,
with curious, half -sarcastic smile.
lis that really your opinion %
Certainly" answered, with a little
wonder. "Why should fancy that had
the power to interest you ?"
| A shade of something like scorn or tri-
umph was now visible in her smile. She
bit her lips, turned away, and looked from
the window. I saw flush on her cheek,
and felt that here was something which I
did not understand.
"Miss Lee" said I, desperately. IL want
to ask you question ~
| She turned her head in some surprise.
"But will you answer it candidly ?"
"That depends" she said, shortly.
1.-THE question is simply this: Why do
you hate me ~
She flushed to the roots of her golden red
hair
II don't hate you, Mr.. Eustace.''
Eyes. you do, Miss Lee.'
Every we'll, since you insist upon It,"
''But why is it SO? That is my ques-
tion.'
She was silent.
''If you do not dislike me you are angry
! with me. What cause have you for it
What have done to excite your displeas-
ure, and. I may add, your scorn ?''
Sic looked steadily from the window.
The color deepened in her cheeks until
they and her eyes were aglow.
ssDo you wish to know 2'' she said, sud.
denly turning and looking full into my
face.
"Certainly-most anxiously."
"Then, have cause. You have mis-
judged and insulted me-"
81? In what manner ?"
''Do you remember that day you arriv-
ed ?" said she. with a sort of suppressed ex-
element. 'Do you remember when your
brother came into the room, and the talk
you had with him ?"
81 think do" I replied. beginning to
feel very uncomfortable.
"Do you remember all you said ." Now
/ felt the blood rush to my face in turn.
"How did you know this, Miss Lee ?
Could Tom have told Caroline, and She"
''Nothing of the kind. 1 was in tie