The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-03-29

sharpely figure, less than five feet in
height, as though he saw it for the
first time.
"Now think Of it," he said, II
must have offended you q hundred
times by my stupidity. Well, ! shall
know better in the future"
His tace expressed so much contri.
ton that she laughed outright.
II don't bear you any malice. Mr..
Moore. There's my hand on it."
He held it for minute.
"Proye it, then, by coming with us
tomorrow"
"Very we'll. Good.by."
$Good.by," said Clement and left
her.
A word with the other two then he
was gone; and Louy and Marian walk
ed down garden path arm.in-arm.
HE is very NICE" said Louy.
Every handsome" l,er sister said,
with a sigh; "but he's very-very-"
AS she paused for q word Louy nod.
"Cnimpressionable. Depend upon
it, there is some one in London"
After these mysterious words two
more signs might have been heard,
had any one been near; and the sisters
were silent, thinking of tomorrow.
The weather was kind and did not
damp their spirits with rain. The
succeeding afternoon found the three
sisters, suitably attired in their pref
test cotton dresses, ready to start
when the young man appeared.
IL hope you wont object to my vas
culum," he said, as they set off. II
always take it when I'm going any
distance. Three miles I think you
said?"
They chose by mutual consent the
''short CUT across the fields; the said
shot cut taking a much longer time
than the following of the road would
have done. There were so many stiles
to climb and over every one Moore
had to help Marian, who was very
helpless and nervous. Then he made
an attempt each time to assist Zoe,
who as frequently declined, and MIN.
bly, surmounted them by herself.
Louy, too, was independent. She
was even q little sarcastic, for ZOe's
ear, at the amount of laughing, and
pretty awkwardness, and holding of
Clements hand, before Marian was
safely landed in each new meadow.
And then-oh horror! there was a
field of COWS to be crossed. And
Marian was dreadiully afraid OF COWS.
What should they do?
IL thought you ladies who live in
the country were more courageous, "
said Moore, as the girls came to g.
standstill. "Shall l go and send them
farther away from the PATH"
ooh, no, for then they would be
sure to run this way" And Marian
looked absolutely pale.
"Come along, then, and take my
arm,' said he, laughing. "Ill under
take to pilot y on safely through. and
then come back for the Others"
But Louy and Zoe had seen COWS
before, and followed without waiting
for protector. And very soon they
were in the road, the uninteresting,
dusty road, with no stiles and no wild
beasts to encounter.
"Ah!" exclaimed Moore, suddenly,
"there is the moonwort! must get it
up. If you ladies will wait a minute. -
He produced little towel from his
pocket, and plunged his hand in
among the long grass to separate it
from the fronls of the fern. Immedi.
ately there was slight Kissing sound,
and Zoe sprang forward in time to see
something glide slowly into a hole IN
the bank.
She turned toward Moore as pale as
death.
"What a narrow es--" she began
before she realized that his face wore
all unusual expression. "Oh, Mr..
Moore, it didn't sting your"
For answer he turned up his coat
cuff, and displayed a couple of little
marks OF teeth.
"Was it viper?" he asked, and Zoe
| nodded.
A quick exclamation, sigh, and q
slight rustic, and Marian was lying in
the road unsconscious, with Leuy
bending over her.
Here's a pretty kettle of fish"
muttered Clement, putting the tiny
wound to his mouth and sucking it. II
Not very dangerous, is it?'
Eyes, rather" said Zoe, with shiv
er, and q glance at her sister. "Come
the Castle Inn is only half mile! Dc
come, quick! never mind them She is
coming too"
She seized his arm as he stood irres-
olute, and half dragged him along fol-
a few steps, when he gave way to he,
earnest entreaty and walked quickly
on beside her.
brandy is the best thing" painted
Zoe, who had hard work to keep ur
with him.
"Are they ever-fatal?" the youne
man asked a few minutes later, with
assumed nonchalance.
mo; that is, very seldom. A severe
illness is the worst that could result
think. Is it PAINFUL"
"No." said Moore. telling an un
blushing flo. as he glanced down a,
the white little face by his side.
A sudden idea flashed into Zoe's
mind.
"Stop minute" she cried, snatch
ing out q dainty pocket-handkerchief
mo, give me yours; it will be longer
That's it! Now turn up your sleeve. u
She bound his handkerchief as tight
~ as she could round his arm, q little
way above the wound.
II can improve that" he said, and
thrust his pocket.knife between the
folds to tighten it. "Thanks, my
child" he added, forgetting his resolve
to remind her no more of her juvenile
appearance.
! They hurried on again, and were
soon i'll the inn parlor, surrounded
quickly by little group OF curious
and sympathizing women.
Zoe dispatched some one for the
doctor. and set to work apparently
to reduce Clement Moore to q state
Of intoxication. She forced him tc
drink glass after glas OF brandy until
he obstinately refused to take another
drop.
She pleaded, insisted, implored him
almost teariuliy, but he remained
firm.
"1f I have any more, shall mol
know what I am doing" he said in
her ear; and finding him so resolved
! she OeSiSted and lOnoed for the doctor