Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-06-21

"Mr Landt,n she said severely, II must
dive. The horse is new one. He doe.
not know the way, and | shoul6 not feel
safe unless my own hand was On the
rein"
He doesn't know the way" repeated
+ Eugene, in an odd tone. That's bad
Miss Hanford | am very much afraid
none OF US will know it. if the snow con
tinues at this rate For, indeed. they
scarcely could see the horses back: the
space before them seemed full of black
/ particles, and they were breathing snow
flakes instead of air.
When they had gone perhaps a mile in
silence, Marian drew in one little stiff
nand under the robe an instant; then,
still smiling eoyertly, Mr.. Landt quietly
graspeG the reins away from her, and she
covered both hands, gladly enough. No
word accom- panied this proceeding
Marian's eyes were full of angry tears,
and Eugene's were blinking off the crys-
tails that stung and hurt them. II was
/ growing so dark now that not evtn the
neaeest trees on the roadside wore visible.
II really don't know where | am Eu-
gene murmured, peering right and left
with anxious glauces. DO you, Miss
! Hauford?'
80 far do. The schoolhouse is Just
little beyond. could walk there blind
fold. Wen pass it in about | alf a min
ute. The road isn't very good just here.
If you could drive more slowly"
But scarcely had the words struck the
| air wnen the wagon turned over. Miss
! Hanford tumbled into q snow drift that
had already heaped itself on the roadside,
and lay there, muffled, almost indistin-
guishable heap, and Mr.. Landt half fell,
half sprang. beyond her, but was on his
feet instantly again. The horse also was
on his feet and going into the distance at
a fine gallop, the sound of which was soon
lost on the sweep of the angry wind.
'Ah, are you hurt! Are you hurt"
He had gathered Miss Hanford up in
his arms, and was holding her as easily as
if she had been a child.
II don't know said Marian, struggling
pro nptly to regain her footing on the
earth; but the instant she accomplished
this sharp pain escaped her
"My foot" she said family. "Some-
thing is the matter with my foot"
s.. spran perhaps" Eugene said com
passionately. Just try to walk a step or
twe."
She did try, then caught Eugene's arm
with both her hands.
Il can't" she said quietly. "The pain
is terrible"
"Then good heavens what are We to do?
| could carry You easily but-to keep my
feet in this windn
"You can carry me to the schoolhouse,
if you will, have the key here. l am
sorry, Mr.. Lardt, to give you this trou-
BILE
The very thing" he said promptly.
Lucky it's so near. Just put your arm
round my neck please. That's right"
He took her up lightly, and began to
plod his way, with bent head, against the
storm.
You'll have to guide me, Miss Hanford,
if you can"
$50 on straight little way--a few steps
further. Now turn of the road-the foot
path is here. Now you are all right.
You'll feel the fence in a minute"
~ feel it now" said Eugene, humping
himself against it; land here's the gate.
Actually we are in luck, as Mr.. Slower
says"
Another minutes careful plodding
brought them to the door, which Eugene
unlocked. Within all was simmerian
darkness, but the change to warm, dry,
atmosphere WAS delightful sensation.
Mr.. Landt CROPPED his way to a seat, de-
posted Miss Hartford thereon, and under
her direction lit the little lamp above the
desk and kipoled a cheerful wood fire 10
the big drum stove. Then he removed
her snow powdered wraps and his own
overcoat, shook them vigorously aud
hung them in friendly companionship
near the warmth TO dry.
"Now, we must see little of the poor
foot, Miss Hauford," he said, going down
on his knees before her. Let me re-
move your boot. Don't be afraid | won't,
hurt you"
Despite his light, careful touches
Marian WINGED with pain. The removal
of the stocking was accomplished With
an air of almost professional gravity, and
then Eugene, having satisfied himself
that no bones were broken, began to
bind up the sprain. For this purpose he
tore in strips h. own linen handkerchief,
getted it with snow and swathed the
slender ankle and instep tightly. Then
he said eheerfuliy;
"Now we are ahead of the swelling, any
way, and I'll make yOu as comfortable as
can. Let me lift you into this arm
chair Then You can lean back-so."
He caught stool and placed il under
her feet,and stood looking down kindly
ON her pale, unsmiling face.
Sits too bad, of course" ne said gently,
'but accidents will hapl ~. We must
make the best of H."
"Of COURSE" said Marian. THANK
you" She looked anywhere but at the
bright and reassuring7 face above her.
81 am very, very sorry this has occurred
If only bad kept the reinsi | might
have known. | did know, in fact. But
no matter. it can't be helped nov"
At this overflow of base and truly fem
| mime ingratitude Mr.. Landt merely rails
ed his eyebrows and walked over TO dis
tant bench, wherein he settled himself
in an attitude of repose. The little CLOCK
! between the windows licked socially, anC
the pleasant purring of the fire suggest
ed coy mpanionship; but these two
very handsome young people, whom fats
had paired off III this novel and unsx
pected fashion, listened to the roaring Of
/ the storm guSts, the rafting of the door