Richland beacon., 1888-11-10

p"1 csNfs WIZ diittuy OUT Ill luc IOtu,
tearing along by the light OF the moon
far ahead OF the farmer and some OF
the farm hands, who followed with
lanterns. On he went looking care
fully about h n. until he came to the
foot of steep. rough hill. BY the
moons light he could distinguish o
large dark object lying in tie middle
of the road; the buggy had conc TO
grief just then from clump of
trees close by came the VIII my Of n
horse. Jack sprang to tho spot from,
which the sound came, and at the foot
OF tree, with Tie horse standing be-
side her, lay Hester. STOPPING. he
raised her in his arms and spoke 10
her. but no sound passed the lips ina,
were as white IS her dress, He was a
powerful Young t,liow. and lftci, her
easily ~ ms arms set out for the farm
jus, as Farmer Brent came up.
''She has been stunned" said Jack:
I'll carry her homes bnt | fear your
wagon is smashed. Mr.. Brent. though
the horse IS safe. They must have come
ia, grieI on the hill"
What that walk home was 20 him
Jack kingsbury never told; but it
seemed as If years passed before he
laid his li!cIess burden on tho hard
horse-hair sofa ia the sitting room.
4 DOL that | ann he mr:ttered 10
himself, in despair. Oh, Hester! Hes
ter! 1 loved you and have Killed
yom" and he pressed his lips passion
aiely against her VIII tie forehead. lie
thought she stirred in his arms, once,
but he could not DO sure. and Mrs.
Brent was startled by his haggarll
face when he brought her in. He
helped 10 administer rcstoratives M
Ill there was Il faint sign Of returning
consc BUSINESS: then he went out and
threw himself in hammock on the
veranda. onll 10 start up every few
minutes for news of her.
At two O'Clock Mrs. Brent stepped
out Oh the vcranda. You must 20 10
bed now. Mr.. kingsburv." she said.
Hester $ resting quite easy now, AMI
the doctor says there's nothing serious
beyond the great bruise on her head.
Thank you kindly, sr, for carving
the dear child home fear it's been
TOO much for yOn. you look SO white. ;"
THANK me-" exclaimed Jack, with
harsh laugh. you've little TO thank
me for, Mrs. Brent. I'll 90 10 bel, il
there is nothing | can do for Miss Hes.
ter or you?'
1t was late when lie awoke next
day, and he hurried through his toilet
TO get news of the invalid She was
better, her mother said. though tho
pain IN her heal was still so bad that
she would Stay in bed until evening,
Jack spent solitart day. He took
long walk and did great deal of
thinking; the upshot OF il was that he
went to his room and packed ali his
belongings; then he came down after
supper with a small bag in his hand
looking for Farmer Brent. The far
mer and all the hands were out in the
fields bringing in the last loads OF hay.
and his wife was putting away the tea
things.
In hammock on The veranIa Law
Hester, looking very pale as Jack sud.
denly came round the corner of the
house.
''Why, Miss Hester what have they
done 10 your beautiful harp cried
Jack. forgetting everything in his as
tonishment as he caught sight of tho
crop Of short, golden brown curls
which covered her small head.
"Oh. they cnt it OF last night" said
Hester, scarcely raising the long dark
lashes which h Il her hazel eyes as
the color ercpt slowly into her checks.
Miss Hester" sad Jack again. his
deep voice trembling, IL did no, i'm.
tend to annoy you again, but l forgot
for minute. coming on YOU so I'M
expectedly. No, don't speak," rs she
opened her lips 10 reply. Il know all
you would say TO me; but YOU cannot
say anything half as bad as what |
have sad and thought of myself. Yes
terday went off vexod W In Won and
in n beastly temper. then | drank too
much champagne at dinner, and when
l met you L acted liko-well | haven't
words strong enough to express my
contempt FOR my own actions in The
wagon. and YOU served mo quito right.
admired your pluck in getting rid of
me. Thank God! ,ou were no; killed,
rs | feared when | p cked YOU mp. |
thought you were dead, and through
my fault. Oh! Hester, YOU will never
know how ! felt then. And now the
least | can do in return for all Your
kindness is 10 relieve YOU of my
presence. came down TO ask your
father TO lend me Trap 10 take mo
over to the Profile ton ght. I'll send
for my other things tomorrow. | sec
him coming over the fields now; bu,
before L go could you bring yourself to
say. just once, Jack. | forgive you?"
L on will never sec mo again. though
God knows! leave all mi happiness
N leaving YOU"
He held out his hand, and she put
hers into it.
Jack. she said. in low. unsteady
'oicc. Il forgive YOU" and a great
ear dropped Oh his brown hand.
"Hester!" bending over her, ARE
'ou-P But no. you can't be sorry |
I'm going; it is because you are not
strong. and have tired YOU"
He dropped on one knee beside the
so that his face was on
evel W tn hers, and he saw that her
ong lasles were wet
You would not care TO have me
tay, Hester. would yOu2 Don't you
eally dislike and dcspise me after
Zip"
She shook her head.
But, Hester. it can't be; You feel
orry for me perhaps but if STAY il
must be forever. could never brace
myself up 10 another parting"
She turned her flushed face from his
earnest gaze. but very soft and low he
'aught the words: "S.ay. Jack"
Expires After Her PetrOthal.