The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-07-20

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indeed, they scarcely could see the
horses back; the space before them
seemed full OF black particles. and they
were breathing snowflakes instead OF
air.
When they had gone perhaps a mile
m silence, Marian drew in one little
stih hand under the robe an instant;
then, still smiling covertly, Mr.. Landt
quietly grasped the reins away from
her. and she covered both hands,
gladly enough. No wcrd accompanied
this proceeding. Marian's yes were
fuli OF angry tears, and Eugene's
were blinking of the crystals that
stung and hurt them. IL was growing
40 dark now that not even the near
est trees on the roadside we're visible.
Il really don't know where / am"
Eugene murmured, peering right and
LEFT with anxious glances. "Do you,
Miss Hanfordg"
$50 far / do. The sc~hoolhouse is
just a little beyond. ! could walk
there blindfold. Wen pass it in about
half a minute. The road isn't very
good Just here. IL you could drive
more slowly"
But scarcely had the words struck
the air when the wagon turned over.
Miss Hanford tumbled into a snow
drift that had already heaped itself
on the roadside, and lay there a NUT
fled, almost indistinguishable heap,
and Mr.. Landt half fell, half sprang
beyond her, but was on his feet in
stantly again. The horse was also on
his feet and going into the distance at
a hne gailop, 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 anford up in
his arms, andWas holding her as easily
as if she had been a child. al don't
know" said Marian. struggling
promptly to regain her footing on the
earth;bu the instant she accomplish
ed this a sharp cry OF pain escaped
her.
"My foot" she said, family.
"something Is the matter with my
foot"
"A sprain perhaps" Eugene said,
eompassionately. "Just try to walk
a step or two"
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arm with both her hands.
81 can't" she said quietly. 1.-The
pain is terrible"
Then, good heavens, what are we
to do? could carry you easily-but
to keep my feet in this wind"
"You can carry me to the school,
house, ii you will. / have the key
here. am sorry. Mr.. Landt, to give
you this trouble"
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 will have to guide me, MISS
Hanford, if you cam"
go on straight q little way-a few
steps further. Now. turn off the road
the footpath is here. Now you are
ali right. You'll feel the fence in a
minute"
81 feel it now," said Eugene, bump
ing himself against it; "and here's the
gate. Actually we are in luck as
Mr.. Slower says"
Another minutes careful plodding
brought them to the door, which Eu.
gene unlocked. Within was zimmerman
darkness, but the change to a warm,
dry atmosphere was a delightful SEN
sation. Mr.. Landt CROPPED his way to
seat, deposited Miss Hanford there
on, and under her direction lit the
lamp above the desk and
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the big drum stove. Then heremoved
her snow-powdered wraps and his
own overcOat, shook them vigorously
and hung them in friendly companion
ship near the warmth to dry.
Now, we must see a little to the
poor foot, Miss Hanford," he said, 60
ing down on his knees before her.
Let me remove your boot. Don't
be afraid; l won't hurt you"
But despite his light, careful touches
Marian WINGED with pain. The re-
moval of the stocking was accomplish
ed with an air OF almost professional
and then Eugene, having sat.
Is6ed himself that no bones were
broken, began to bind up the sprain.
For this purpose he tore in strips his
linen handkerchief, wetted it
with snow and swatbed the slender
ancle and mstep tightly. Then he
said c~heerfully:
"Now we are ahead OF the swelling,
any way, and I'll make you as COM
ortable as l can. Let me lift you into
his armchair. Then you can lean
)ack-so." He caught a stool and
laced it under her feet, and stood
ooking kindly on her pale, unsmiling
ace.
cts too bad, of course" he said
"but accidents will happen.
We must make the best OF it"
"Of course" said Marian. THANK
'ou." She looked anywhere but at
he bright and r~eassuring face above
Ter. 81 am very, very sorry this has
occurred. Ifonly Ihad kept the reins?
might have known. l did know, in
act. But-no matter. 1t can't be
now"
At this overflow of base and truly
eminine ingratitude MI. Landt merely
aised his eyebrows and walked over
o a distant bench, whereon he settled
himself in an attitude OF repose. The
title clock between the windows
licked socially, and the pleasant
Of the fire suggested cosy COM
'anionship; but these two very hand
ONE young people, whom fate had
,aired of in this novel and unex-
'ected fashion, listened to the roaring
# the storm gusts, the rattling OF the
and windows, in cold and
ormal silence. Now and then a word
vas uttered and answered relative TO
he fight of time or the condition OF
he fire. and again silence brooded.
Mr.. Landt grew restless presently.
lie stirred about the room, picking
Up a school book here and there.
n~nlisruiSadlv over an old