The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-09-10

Miss Mansfield?''
"You are eluding my question, but
who is Miss Manstield?" said 1.
''She is beautiful blue-eyed blonde
that sat near the center of the church,
and who couldn't tell for seal skin
what was the preachers text. Yes,
the same that completely absorbed the
attention of the new member of our
choir to-day, and made him sing the
second verse of the last hymn while
neighbors were singing the third. All,
cousin, you did finely to-day?'
''Vi, l don't understand you. You
are talking in riddles" said l.
':Poor fellow, you are to be pitied
for your Observation-Disclosures, said Vio-
let, with twinkling eyes.
l said no more, but walke1 on
thoughtfully. Despite my best efforts
could not drive those delicious blue
eyes from my minds vision, and some
how fe,t that Providence had hand
in this business, and began to change
by views OF life entirely; and yet l had
not met her.
The next day was rushed in busi-
ness as usual, but to the great amaze
ment of the clerks 1 gave many dis
cordant orders,-more mischief caused
by blue eyes.
Hurrying across the street late in
the afternoon I was startled by cries of
Runaway! runaway"
Glancing up the street which led
from Parts Drive, saw magnificent
span of blacks dashing at break-neck
speed. the line dangling on the
ground; and something in the screams
of the occupants of the carriage nerved
me to save them, when on most occa-
sons of this kind | would have been
the fir>t to clear the track, and let
folks attend to their own runaways.
Summoning all my courage I pushed
through the scampering crowd and
sprang for the BITS Of the runawavs as
they came tearing along, caught them,
and by most desperate struggling, in
which l was dragged long way and
severely brushed. stopped the team.
Just then the careless coachman came
painting to their charge
"Sure, sab, beg de pahdon oh yer,
boss, but de onery fools lit out double
quick down dar, while Is gibben some
pennies to a poor beggar pass:n' by,
sab. I do, sab, beg pahdon, sab, and
Hebben hang dat beggar."
CT course as soon as the carriage
stopped its occupants were not long IN
alg ghting, and whom should they be
but my blue-eyed Miss Mansfield, and
her mother! Before | could speak she
rushed to me and took my hand
"Oh, Mr.. Allerton, we cannot thank
you enough for this! You have saved
our lives. Pardon me, sir, but l can
tude to you, and hence take your
hand"
Then Mrs. Mansfield, kinl-looking
noble old lady, pressed my hand also,
and l could not but blush in trying to
excuse myself and in ask 'ng them to
regard it simply as an act that any
gentleman would have done.
''But, Mr.. Allerton, you are hurt.
Oh, dear! jeff assist the gentleman
into the carriage. quickly, sir. Come
That's all heard her say. I STUN
bled and fell unconsc Gus to the
ground. The struggle had greatly
fatigued me, and besides one of the
horses had struck me with his Loof in
my Efforts to check HIM.
When l recovered from nv stupor
many hours later, found myself in a
large and elegant chamber in a strange
house; a physician was bending over
me, and at the foot of the couch stood
that glorious blue-eyed girl Miss Mans
field, her lovely face all earnestness.
"Oh, Mr.. Allerton, you were badly
hurt, but hope you are feeling better.
Pm so sorry
THANK \ on, Miss Mansfield" said
I. Il am not seriously hurt, am /,
doctor:?'
"You will soon be all right sir, if
you keep quiet and cheerful" said the
phys can; and then he bade me good
day, and after holding a ser Gus secret
consultation with Miss Mansfield, con-
cerning myself supposed, withdrew.
Then the blue eyed little lady, whom,
it appeared. had voluntarily made her,
self chief nurse, bathed my forehead,
and arranged some flowers near me,
all the time quietly and earnestly
talking to me. l seemed enchanted,
and for some time did not speak, but
watched her in thoughtful silence. Al
length said
''Miss Mansfield, you have a pleasant
home, and YOU have been very kind to
me in caring for me during those un'
conscious hours. How strange it all
/ seems!'
lit is you, sir, that has been kind
We owe our lives to you. What would
papa say if he knew of our narrow es
cape! Papa is in New York now, but
will return soon. But, Oh, Mr.. Aller
ton, we can never thank you -"
Pardon me, Miss Mansfield" said
I, ''but how came you to know my
name?"
II saw you at church yesterday,
SIR" she replied, blushing, land was
so bold as to inquire of our pastor this
morning who you were. Youth excuse
me. sir, for being so prying, but-bu1
but how came you to speak to me SC
familiarly?'
Il also saw you at church and asked
my cousin, Violet Rowland, you1
name. You'll excuse me trust, for
couldn't help it. And now that mus
call you nurse, may know your
''Yes, sir, you may call mo Annie
and will-but pardon me if l pre-
scribe sleep to y ou now, and when yor
have rested III bring you some toas
and tea.'
And blue-eYed Annie foated out o:
the room, an angel if my eyes were re-
sponsible. I almost felt glad of the ac
cident already, although it meant loss
to me by absence from business. But
my shock was u severe one and fol
weeks lay in critical condition. IL
all this tine there was no one wht
could possibly be so kind and 50 sooth
ing to me as Annie. Of course my rel
atives and friends from both far ant
near came to me. But none were 81
! faithful as Annie, and, in fact, Ididn'