Richland beacon., 1888-06-30


to his old hove at Meadowsville. sh,
said compo.tdly. ale would hardly
know the Say to Uncle Reub's. My
people WI simply conclude that | was
afraid t.; drive i'll this storm and that
have eSaid over in the village" "
"Hell, really. don't see that there is
nrShope of better weather. | think
eight to start along and try to get tt
.Scw Church and send some one to bring
you home"
"Walk to New Church." she asked II
astonishment. "You nevor could in sucl
a tempest.
81 could try"
"But there's no need. We arc com
Portable enough for the present. The
wind must abate before long; and a
any rate" she went on with iirmness, q
couldn't stay here alone, Mr.. Landt.
could not allow you to leave me helpless
in this deserted place
"But, my dear Miss Hanford, the
storm may last till morning, and Ger
tainly we Couldn't couldn't"
He stopped embarrassed. She wa
looking at him with such grave, uneon
scious eyes that he could not bring him
self to hint at the impropriety of thei
remaining together, as viewed by The
outside world, even for the length o
time that had already passed.
"If you will not let me leave you" II,
said, catching at a thought, show can
possibly procure assistance? 1ou can
walk and you don't want to stay here al
night"
"But the weather may change
"That's the merest chance, Miss Han
ford. We can't depend on that. thinl
| had better make start. If am blown
into the canal" he added lightly, 90
perish otherwise"
"But | have 1old you | will not b,
left here alone" she interrupted quickly
and Indignantly. 'It is your fault, sir
in the first placd that this accident ha'
happened. If lou had allowed me t,
keep the reins We would probably b,
safe at home by this time; instead o
She threw out her hands with ges
ture that finished the sentence Cloquent
ly enough.
Eugene bit his lip. He blushet
nngrily, but spoke with calmness.
"May / ask Your reason for not wish
ing to stay alone" he asked ironically
"that is, if there can he anything lik,
reason connected with such IA whim.'
81 have told You am utterly power
less, and / am afraid"
''Of ghosts, perhaps, or mice! Whicl
is itl''
Miss Hanford did not answer. She
too. bit her lip, but it was to check bacl
her quickly rising tears.
81 am sorry you are unreasonable,
he said quietly, $50 childishly absurd
1t places us both in very ridiculou:
position.
"And / am sorry yOu are so ungentle
manly" she flashed out at him: "s,
rude, so unbearably impertinent-b
could expect no better! Nothing goot
could come from any one who bear!
your name!'
She ended in passion of tears.
Mr.. Landt continued to look down a
her with q sort of startled, shocked ex
preston. 1t was as if her delicate han,
had struck him in the face and he wa
powerless to return the blow. He drew
a deep breath and walked away, afte
moment, and sat down as far from he
as possible, his face avcrted, his hca(
leaning on his hand.
Marion continued to sob convulsivcly
All the wrongs and sorrows of he
fathers life came surging back to her
an overwhelming tide; the food gates o
her heart seemed bursting nsundcr be
fore the pent-up bitterness of years
She was struggling with all her might t,
regain calmness, but the very effor
seemed to increase the violence of he
emotion. As for Eugene-strong, hurt
wretchcd as he was-he only lOnged
with n strong mans compassion, t.
to sOothe and comfort his frank littl
enemy who had so bitterly spoken he
mind.
Eugene awoke with shiver; the lam
had burned out, the fire wns nllnos
dead, and-what was this, Beyond TIN
window panes clear moonlight and
cloudless sky Miss Hanford was still
asleep IN her chair, as she had been 70
some time before Eugene himself sue
cumbed. The wind had gone down, an,
now there was nothing to prevent hin
taking the road to New Church, except
Pe lit amntch and looked at his watch
1t was two o'clock a. m. He walked t
the window and stared out hOpelessly
OF what avail was the calm brightness O
earth and sky! 1t had come too late
Wbot NOW con11 furp oc;Jo {b;c J;,,,ro,,
that had fallen on an innocent youn
life. and for which he, perhaps, had bee
to blamel There was only one thin
that could be done. As he opened tn
door q little way and looked into tn
night piercing wind swept by him, an
the sleeper Oh the chair stirred an
wakencd.
"Who is that?" she demanded quickly
"Oh, oh Mr.. Landt, is it you! Wher
is the light ?"
at has burned out, Miss HanforJ
We We're both asleep
"Oh !" she repeated, but now in
tone of relief. "And there isn't an
more OIL" She seemed to have sleI
away her anger and resentment. He
voice sounded sweet and friendly. "Bu
the storm is over. i am SO glad"
"Glad!" Eugene said nothing. II
closed the door and came and kneeled b
the fire. blowing the half-dead embel
into a flame, and laying on more WOO
until the room was partly Lighted by th
pleasant glow.
81 think it would be a good idea I
watch from the window" she sugge ste
cheerfully after awhile. Teams al
sure to pass, now. How late is it-te
o'clock, eleven o'clock p
But when Eugene informed her, in
constrained voice, she merely said, ligh
ly: well, it won't be long till morning
especially if we GO to sleep again."
1t perhaps needless to mention thel
xx-as, No m, or., sloo,, fla& ,.iexlk &. [,