Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-07-15

IOoih anu even Tue eSJdllOn-IudSIer 8 own
rocms were already full of ghaStly suf-
ferers. | could not let her be there ia
that sitting unhealthy air.
Where is the nearest house?" ask
ed Of porter.
There's farm house a quarter of Il
mile Onslaught along the road, :" he
said. They'd take you in there"
| What Was / to dor How could
carry her quarter of a mile2 Suppose
| We're 10 drop down exhaustedp She
might die of exposurel But could
not keep her here among all these poor
wretehes.
Size faltered out something about be-
ing such a weight, and implored me to
leave her and go on alone. laughed
gently and bade her not talk, only tell
me il hurt her bruised side. | stag
gered on. 1t was almost dark. was
stiff and bruised from my own knock
ing about, and the heavy wind blinded
me continually. By the greatest mercy
we met cart, and the man In il prov
ed To be the farmer from the very farm
We weIe bound for.
1t was tiny place, with no accom-
LAOdeAtiOi, puJ but hltIilCh w a. NACau,
and the farmers wife, very old wo-
man, made Mrs. Fairholme lie ON the
black horsehalr sofa, bathed her head,
plastered up her cuts, with my assis-
lance, gave her mess of Cruel, and
covered her up warmly. She dared not
put her TO bed, as she cried and moan
ed dreadfnlly if her side was touched;
and l saw that the only thing 10 be
done was to walk to the town two miles
farther on and get doctor.
She seemed terrified at the idea of my
leaving her; but | did not know what
else to do. The old farmer however
calmly told me that l should have my
walk for nothing; there was but one
doctOr.ia the town, and he was certain
to have been fetched to the station by
this time
''CoGld one telegraph from the town."
| asked.
No: there was nothing to be done but
wait till the morning. | reflected that
the news of the accident would reach
home as soon as any telegram, and
felt certain that Frank Fairholme would
come on by the first train he could.
At last, what with fatigue and the hot
fire after the exposure TO rain and cold,
fell asleep in my uncomfortable wood
ell chair.
When L awoke, the first streaks of
dawn were creeping in through the
window. | sat up with start. Surely
the love and agony and horror of the
past night were all dream-I should
wake in my comfortable smoking car
rage or in my room at the Vargraves'i !
No; was still sitting, cramped, stiff,
and achelng, on the wooden chair, and
opposite to me was Mrs. Fairholme.
The old woman had gone to call her
husband to get the cart ready To drive
me TO the station. We we're alone to-
gether, and Mrs. Fairholme's deep eyes
were wide open and fixed on me. |
started up and walked to the window,
feeling that | was "a perfect objeeo
after M eSeiting night. As I stood
|, ............g n,J lngs1s through my unkept
locks, | heard steps behind me. She had
risen, and crossed the room with evil
dent difficulty.
"Mr. Shirley"
s'Oh, please lie downV' was my ele-
CANT rejOinder, as though | were speak
ing to an ordinary stranger.
but | want to thank you $3.50
much for saving me"
1T was nothing" L said with help
less feeling of despair.
sit was a great kindness; and | am
better. | think am only badly bruis-
ed and shaken. Oh, do let me thank
you'll"
Her left hand was laid over mine.
Where was the wedding ringr 1t could
not surely have fallen off during the
aecdentl Just then something In the
deep eyes made my heart give sudden
tbrob. Carried away by an impulse |
could not explain, | threw my arm
round her and turned her head full
against the light of the early sunrise.
Her eyes were gray-deep gray, they
had been brown that morning on the
porch-I could swear i'll
"Tell NEIL said with trembling
voice, while she looked up at me half
fearfully -''who are you2 Tell Inc
quicklyl"
IL am Ethel Fairholme"
"Are you married? Are you Fair
holmes wifep"
"Marriedp No; I'm his sisterl'
Ny senses seemed to reel, but still
could not understand.
But saw you-that day in the
porch-when came to call; you wore
wedding-Iing and had-bTown eyesl
1T was not whom you saw.
never knew you had ever bee1 in the
house. Oh"-with sudden look Of
comprehension-''it was Mabel you
sawr'
"Who is Mabel?"
"My sister. She is married to our
cousin Grantley Fairholme. He is a
sailor, and, now that he is away on
voyage, Mabel keeps house for Frank
and me-"
"Then-he-y your brother is not
married?"
"On. no. Frank Is not married. Mr..
Shirleyl''-this was a delicate hint for
me to withdraw my arm, which was
round her all this time.
zone more question, pleaded. sit
was you, was it not that drove home
in the brougham?"
She laughed softly, little saucily
too.
'Was it 1 or Mabelf" she asked.
at was you," answered rapturous-
ly. .0h, my little darling Ethel. how
happy you have made mel Last night
everything seemed darkness; but to-day
everything seems light! Your Frank
will marry Gracie-"
"Are you not engaged to Miss Cas-
tlemainep" she broke in.
II? No-nOt a bit of ltlr
"Oh. poor Frank How delighted he
will bel He thought you must be, as
she has been so cold to him lately. Are
you sure you are not at least in love
with her?"
Quite sure,"I answered.
The sun had risen by this time and
was shining ON my little Ethel's tired
sweet face and aureole of golden hair.
The old farmer was leading round the
cart to take me to the station. In the
next room we heard his wife rafting
the pots and pans.
''Quite sure" repeated, as, won
dering at my own boldness, l took the
dainty cheeks between my two hands
and paZed into the perfect face 81 was