The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-09-27

an lul0t nnu MS aumitntiou AVE aho
girls high handed way of Kidding her
self of him grew with every step home-
ward. 'By Jovc," he exclaimed aloud,
'she's worth dozen city girlsl What
fool was to insult her; she will
never forgive it. l know her we'll
enough for that" and he walked on
again buried in thought.
He found the door of tho farm house
open, and after laying her hat carefully
on tho hall table, went straight to his
room, threw off his coat, an lighted
cigar. There was knock at tho door.
'Mr. Kingsburyl"
"Come inr shouted Jack.
'sYou amt seen H,st,r anywhere on
the road, NJ. Kinysburyi' queried tho
farmer, stepping into the room.
Hasn't she returned yct2" cried Jack
In astonishm mt.
mo, and tho old lady's bit ner-
vous; but tell her reckon H ,ster's
stopped in to see a friend, and like as
not she's forgot the tims, though faint
like Hester to do it."
"She should have been here long ago,
Mr.. Brent" said Jack, spriuging up and
throwing on his coat again. II fear
som thing has happened to her. l met
Miss H ,ster near Brook farm on my way
| home, and-well -.er-she said she
would drive home, and l walked across
the fields, so you see sho ought to have
been home first"
Farmer Brsnt's weather-beaten face
had puzz ed, apprehensive look as he
followed JACK down the stairs.
"Wait bit-we'Il get lanternsr' he
shouted, as Jack opened the front door.
But Jack was already out in the road,
tearing along by the light of tho moon,
far ahead of tho farmer aud some OF the
farm hands, who followed with Ian
terms. On he went, looking carefully
about him, until ho came to the foot of
a steep rough hill. BY tho moons
light he could distinguish a large, dark
object lying in the middle of tho road;
the buggy had como to grief. Just
then from clump Of trees close by
came tho whinny of horse. Jack
sprang to tho spot from which the
sound came, and at the foot of tree,
with the horse standing close beside
her, lay Hester. STOPPING, he raised
her in his arms and spoke to her, Tut no
sound passed the lips that were as whit,
as her dress. II, was powerful young
fellow, and, lifting her easily in his
arms, ,sct out for the farm just as Far
mar Brent camo up
"Shc has been stunned" said Jack;
'Tll carry her hom but fear your
wagon is smashed, Mr.. Brcnt, though
the horse is safe. They mu have como
to grief on tho hill"
What that walk home was to him,
Jack Kingsbury never told; but it
seemed as if years passed before he laid
his lifeless burden on tho hard hors,-
hair sofa in the sitting room. ..-
'Fool that I ami he muttered to
himself, in despair. "Oh, Hester!
Hester! loved you and l have killed
you,' and he pressed his lips passion
atoly against her white forehead. He
thought she stirred in his arms once.
but he could not bo sure, aaL Mrs.
Brent was startled by his haggard face
when he brou hit her in. He helped to
administer restoratives until there was
faint sign Of returning CONSEQUENCES; !;
then he went out aud throw himself in
hammock on tho veranda, only to
start up every few minutes for news OF
her.
At two o'clock Mrs. Brent stepped
out on the veranda. ''You must 90 to
bed now, Mr.. Kingsbury," she said.
"Hester's resting quito easy now. and
the doctor says there's nothing serious
beyond the great bruiss on her heal.
Thank you kindly, sir, for carrying the
dear child home. fear it's been too
much for you, you look so white"
"Thank mel! exclaimed jack, with q
harsh laugh, "you've little to thank me
for, Mrs. Brent. I'll go to bed, if there
is nothing can do for MIS-, Hester or
you2"
1t was late when he awoke next day,
and he hurried through hi, toilet to get
news of tho invalid. Shs was better.
her mother said, though the pain in her
head was still so Lad that she would
stay in bed until evening.
Jack spent solitary day. He took
a long walk aad did great deal of
thinking; the up,hot of it was that he
went to his room and packed up all his
! belongings; then h, came down after
supper with small bag iu his hand
/ looking for Farmer Beat. Tho farmer
, and all his hands werc out in the fields
, bringing in the last loads of hay, and
his wife was putting away the tea
t things.
, In hammock on the veranda lay
Hester, looking very pale as JACK sud
denly came round the corner of the
r hous,.
, "Why. Miss Hester, what have they
4 done to your beautiful hair2 cried
, Jack forgetting everything ia hi, as
/ tonishment as he caught sight of the
i crop of short golden brown curls which
covered her small head.
: "Oh, they cut it off last night" said
Hester, scarcely rai,ilg the long, dark
t lashes which hid her haz,l eyes as the
, color crept slowly into her cheeks.
'.Miss Hester" said jack again, hi.
$ deep voice trembling, Il did not in