Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-01-03
..We've ! lonely patch Of woods

ssWe've . lonely patch Of woods
ahead; keep your eyes and ears open. "
Eyes, am prepared for it." The
young man takes two glittering objects
from his pocket. II fancy any prowl-
ing rascals would not like to make the
acquaintance of these.
He replaces the revolvers safely in
their hiding place as old Dobbs plunges
bravely into the woods. A ghostly
place it is, with the tall trees holding
out long white arms and the weird
shadows falling across the winding
road.
..Hark! what's thatsor The young
physician lays his hand upon the old
mans arm. They both listen for a
moment, but only the signing of the
wind comes through the forest.
81 surely heard moan, says the
younger man. ut could not have
been the wind, y
Old Dobbs suddenly pricks up his
ears and SHES violently to one side Of
the road.
ssHellowr' cries the farmer, whats
the matter with Dobbs?"
But the young man has already
sprung to the ground. There's some
thing in the road, - he says. ''Give me
the lantern, quick. Surely it is man
fallen into the snow drifts He takes
small vial from his pocket and forces
it's contents down the mans throat
then they lift him carefully into the
wagon.
'.Drive as fast as you can" the
young man says. IF you are home
within the hour we may save him."
An hour later Nora Wade, watching
in the darkened chamber, is aroused by
the touch of friendly hand.
MORA he says, softly.
''Oh, Joe, is it you" she cries. s'You
have come to save my darling. You
will save her won't youp" She look
at him piteously, her every word sod.
"a viii try" he says, Years ago in
their happy childhood he would have
laid down his life for Nora-what
would he not do for her child. All
the later love for his wife has not swept
away the tenderness he feels toward
the love of his youth.
Through the long hours of the night
he watches with her, noting every
change in the fair baby face upon the
pillow, now and then stealing from the
room to attend his patient below,
whom he has left in Mrs. Matthew
charge.
When the morning breaks and the
gray dawn of the New Year steals
across the white fields he takes Nora's
hand in his. Your child will live, !"
he says.
Her large eyes speak their gratitude
her lips are dumb.
Leave her to your mother" he
says, for little while, and come with
me-
His words are imperative, and she
follows him in silence down the stairs
into the sitting-room below.
Upon the lounge man lies. his eyes
closed in slumber. The fair hair is
tossed backward from finely chiseled
face, but there is WEAKNESS upon it
that is sad to look upon.
With a saddened cry Nora falls be-
side him. But ere the words upon her
lips are spoken, she loses consciousness
and for hours knows no more. All the
weary nights of watching have flung
their burden upon her, and she is pow
erless to rally.
'sYou have killed her," the old man
says, as the young physician raises her
in his arms.
No" he e answers, Joy never kills"
The first weeks of the New Year have
passed away. bringing with them
golden treasures of life and love. With
the Old Year all the shadows have
gone-and all its sorrows.
1t is pleasant group that is gathered
in Farmer Matthews cozy sitting room
in the bright glow of the red freight.
Alice, sitting in her mothers lap,
laughs gleefully at the bright pictures
grandpa is showing her in the Mother
Goose book, repeating after him the
jingling rhymes that seem to take her
fancy. He laughs, too, as she lisps them
in her quaint, baby fashion, and Nora,
laying her white hands upon the golden
head, looks up with smile into the
pale, handsome face above her. Wife
and mother, she looks from one to the
other of her treasures, with glad, sat
isfied love.
And Grandma Matthews, pausing in
her knitting to look upon the happy
group, wipes away the moisture from
her eyes, saying softly to herself: s'And
a little child shall lead them. "-Pacife
Rural Press.
"A New York letter describes a su-
perb winter costume composed OF
brown fox, sealskin velvet and cache
mire DIES Indies. A very wide band Of