Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-11-29

Gus; but | tell her l reckon Hester
stopped in to see friend. and like as
not she's forgot the time, though
faint like Hester to do it, "
"She should have been here long
ago, Mr. Brent" said Jack, springing
up and throwing on his coat agan.
Il fear something has happened to her.
/ met Miss Hester near Brook Farm on
my way home, nd-well-er-she said
she would drive home, and | walked
across the fields, so YOU see she ought
to have been home first
Farmer Brent's weather. beaten face
had n puzzled apprehens ve look as he
followed Jack down the stairs.
"Wait a bit-we' II get lanterns!' he
shouted as Jack opened the front door.
But Jack was already out in the road,
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 IN. until ne came to the
foot of steeG. rough Hill BY the
moons light he could distinguish 4
large dark object lying in the middle
of the road; the buggy had come to
grief just then from clump of
trees close by came the VIII my of n
horse. Jack sprang to the spot from
which the sound came. and ut the foot
of tree, with the horse standing be-
side her, lay Hester. STOPPING. he
raised her in his arms and spoke to
her. but no sound passed the lips that
were rs white rs her dress. He was n
powerful young sellow. and lifted her
easily in his arms set out for the farm
Just us Farmer Brent came up.
"She has been stunned, said Jack;
IL II carr her home; but | fear your
wagon is smashed, Mr.. Brent. though
the horse is safe. They must have come
to grief on the hill.
What that walk home was 20 him
Jack Kingsbury never told; but il
seemed as ii years passed before he
laid his lifcless burden on tho hard
horsc-hair sofa in the sitting room.
Fool that | amt he muttered to
himself, in despair "Oh, Hester! Hes
ter! | loved you and have killed
YOU" and he pressed his lips passion
alely against her viii 80 forehead. He
thought she stirred in his arms, once,
but he could not DO sure, and Mrs.
Brent was startled by his haggard
face when he brought her in. Hc
helped 10 administer restoratives un-
til there was II faint sign IF returning
consc BUSINESS; then he went out and
threw himself in II hammock on the
veranda, onl, to start up every few
minutes for news of her.
At two o'clock Mrs Brent stepped
out on the veranda. you must 80 ia
bed now. Mr.. Kngsbary," she said.
"Hester's resting quite easy now, and
the doctor says there's nothing serious
beyond tho great hruise on her head.
Thank you kindly, CIR, for carving
the dear child home fear it's been
too much for you. you look so white. "
Thank me!'' exclaimed Jack, with
a harsh laugh. you've little to thank
me for, Mrs Brent I'll 90 to bed, il
there is nothing can do for Miss Hes
ter or on?
1t was late when he awokc next
day, and he hurried through his toilet
to get news of the invalid. She was
better, her mother said. though the
pain IN her head was still so bad that
she would stay in bed until evening,
Jack spent solitar, day. He took
a long walk and did great deal oil
! TIN mixing; the upshot OF il was that he
went to his room and packed all hi,
belongings; then he came down after
supper with small bag in his hanC
looking for Farmer Brent. Tho 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 ties
things.
In Il hammock on the veranda lay
Hester, looking very pale as Jack sud
denly came round the corner of tho
! house.
"Why, Miss Hester what have they
done 10 your beautiful hair?" crieC
Jack, forgetting everything in his as
tonishment as he caught sight of the
crop of short, golden brown curl.
which covered her small head.
"Ob, they cut it of last night" sal,
Hester. scarcely raising the long darL
lashes which Ii Il her hazel eyes q.
the color crcpt slowly into her cheeks
"Miss Hester" sand Jack again, hi
deep voice trembling, al did not in
tend to annoy you again. but forgo
for minute. coming on YOU so un
expectedly. No. don't speak," rs sh,
opened her lips to reply. Il know al
you would say 10 me; but YOU canno
say anything half as bad as what
have sad and thought of myself. Yes
terday l went off vexed with YOU ant
in beastly temper, then drank to-
much champagne at dinner. and whcr
/ met you acted like-well | haven
words strong enough to express IN,
contempt for my own actions in til,
wagon, and you served me quite right
l admired your pluck in getting rid o
me. Thank God! on were not killed
us l feared when | .cked you up.
thought you were dead, and through
my fault Oh! Hester, you will neve
know how | felt then. And now th,
least | can do In return for all on
kindness is to relieve YOU of m,
presence came down to ask you
father 10 lend me trap 10 take M
over to the Profile tom ght. I'll sen,
for my other things tomorrow. SCI
him coming over the fields now; bu
before | go could you bring yourself {,
say, just once, Jack, 1 forg We youP'
You will never see mo again. though
God knows! leave all my happiness
| in leaving YOU"