Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-07-04

bent forward and touched her lips to
the bright boyish brow.
And Victor went down the road to
the mills with lighter heart than he
had known for months, for he loved
his cousin, and her GOODNESS and in
difference troubled him sorely.
Just then the morning train thun-
dered up TO the little station, half
mile distant, and left a single passen-
ger--a tall man, in a gray tweed suit,
who nodded familiarly to the few by
ISLANDERS and took the path across the
fields to the mills.
Victor was standing surrounded by
the men, looking like young god
His straw bat was in his hand, and
the wind ruffled his bronze curls.
He was telling them of his arrange
ments for the picnic, amid bursts of
applause and peals of laughter, for
the young master was always ready
with his joke"
On the outskirts of the little group,
unnoticed in the excitement of the
moment. stood the tall man in the
grey tweed suit.
Suddenly he raised his eyes to the
scaffolding above Victor's head, and
then, no one knew quite how it hap
pened, but strong men were thrown
right and left, asby giants strength.
: There was sickening crash, and
Victor was thrown, as though he were
a child, far out of harms way.
But where he had stood moment
before, lay man they all knew. pin
ned down by heavy beam across
his chest.
And while they stood horror-strick
en- and appalled,, graceful woman's
form was in their midst.
MEN, she said in voice so unlike
her own that those who heard it new
er forgot, ''can you Go nothing but
stand and stare like idiots Victor,
he has given his life for you, can you
do nothing to relieve him2 Go to
the house and see that q room is
made ready to receive. him. John
Stiles, saddle the feetest horse in the
stable, and ride for DIR. Jackson as
you never rode before; and the rest
of you, put forth all your strength
and lift this beam"
And they succeeded in recueing the
man, and bore him slowly and silent
~, with all the vitality crushed out
of him, up the road he had trodden
so often-up the broad walk that had
echoed so drearily to the sound of
his footsteps less than year ago
into the house he had been forbidden
to enter again and before them walk
ed woman, with wild eyes and white
drawn lips
When the doctor came out of the
room, after all was done that he
could do, she met him at the door.
SIS there any hope, doctor?"
81 cannot tell yet. He has a strong
constitution, and we will hope for the
best" said the good old doctor, while
the tears stood in his eyes.
For he had known and loved Ste
phen Walker all his life.
Doctor she said, grasping his
arm with passionate force, "you must
save him-you must, you must
Take all | have--money, lands, every
thing-but save his life! !"
"You forgot my child, that the is
sues of life and death are not in my
hands. If any skill of mine can avail
to save Stephen Walkers life, I think
you know 1 need no bribe.;'
Forgive me, doctor! I scarcely
knew what 1 was saying. / know
you will do all you can, and 1 am a
good nurse-papa always said so.'
Helen, you must not think OF
nursing him. This strain on your
nerves is too great; you are ill al
ready
She laid q slim cool hand in his.