The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-20

hands.
 "How dare you P she said, turning to me a white, wan face. "Let me go-let me go, say-this instantp
 "Not until you are more rational. Young woman, do you kDOw the crime you meditated ?"
 Suppose l dO," said she de6antly, what then ?"
 "Only that I shall hold you until you think better of your intention. There 1t is useless to struggle" (for she endeav- cred to twist herself from my graSp( "E do not intend to release you until you are calmer."
 Finding herself powerless, she began to cry hysterically. This was a good sign. led her back to the bench, still keeping firm hold of her. She sobbed violently, her tears dropping on my hands, and l felt she was trembling from head to foot. Knowing that after this excite meut she would become exhausted, waited patiently, and when she grew calmer relaxed my hold of her. She buried her face in her handkerchief and wept more quietly.
 "Now," said l, " tell me your troubles. Few are so bad but they can be alleviated if they cannot be cured"
 She raised her head, turning her wild dark eyes on mine. "How dare you, stranger, speak to me at ali It is lib- erty-a great iibertyi"
 It would be 30 under ordinary cir cumstances; but will not stand by to see life thrown away, and you are young enough to have in all probability many happy days in the future. Who knows what Providence may have in store for you5'
 Providence has deserted me-"
 "No; Providence never forsakes those who do their best and place their trust in it. What is your grief to prompt such a dreadful act as this2"
 "You have no right to ask"
 "This is childish" said vexed at the wrong view she took of my interference. " If your friends are unkind-"
 "l have no friends she interrupted.
 "Perhaps it is lovers quarrel ?"
 Sir, do you insult meT'
 "ls it poverty 2" asked, glancing at her attire, which, though neat, gave no tokens of it; but well knew that a pov- erty, that most terrible one of all, exists hidden poverty-and frequently ap- pearances are deceitful.
 "lt is possible that you mean we'll, but life is burden to me. 1 am one of the most forlorn creatures on the face of the earth, or l should not wish to quit a lovely scene like this," glancing up at the blue sky. Then saw she was beautiful "a young, delicate, refined profile, re- HA he hA AA
 "You are better now. Will you prom. ise never again to attempt self-destruc- tion-to try and bear your sorrow2"
 have tried-fought against it, but hope is dead; l am powerless and friend less"
 Do not say that; am willing to be- friend you. You distrust me because am young man and a stranger. Here is my card. am doctor, well known about this neighborhood. Write, come, or send to me, and l will try to assist you"
 She hung her head evidently my words had impressed her, and l placed my card in her passive hand.
 "Sir," said she, {" 1 thank you if you are sincere"
 "Will you give me your promise ?"
 "Yes, will preserve little longer my miserable lost life. have no one to ad- wise or" She stopped as the old church clock chimed eight. must fly-I shall be missedl" She started up re-aranging her veil with hurried, acitated fingers. Good morning, sir" She sped away up the hill like 9 gazelle, following at a moderate distance. A white object flut- tered on the path it was her handker- chief picked it up, and noted it was of the finest cambric, with the initials " T. D." exquisitely embroidered. On the brow of the hill she turned and looked back. waved the handkerchief. Mis- taking my object, she made dart for ward, and her slight sylph-like form dis appeared.
 You was in the nick of time, sir, to prevent that young party from chucking herself away. was watching her myself, but wasn't so near as you" said police man of the "S" division, emerging from the furze bushes. "I've seen her here twice before in early morning."
 "Do you know her ?" asked.
 "No, sir don't think she lives here abouts, and l don't fancy she's a lady" Meditatively, "She hasn't got no locket, no feather"
 My opinion was the reverse.
 "Keep lookout near the pool, then, my man you understand" said |, slip ping half-a-crown into his hand
 "Thank you, sir, I'll keep my weather eye open. A mods as good as wink to blind horse"
 For days after this adventure that girls pathetic voice rang in my ears-her beau tiful dark eyes seemed ever before me. When slept dreamed she had thrown herself into the pool and l was powerless to save her life.
 It chanced at this time that l had to call at my surgical instrument makers in the Str and. A block of vehicles having occurred in that crowded thoroue hfare, l waited at crossing, and chancing to glance into cab immediately in front of me, what did see but the brown bon net, and through its gauze veil the ex- quisite profile l longed again to behold UNutiAran was &SnteA beside hAv