Richland beacon., 1888-06-30

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clAssss fYsE J.
air when the wagon turned over. Mis-.
! iIanforl tumbied into q snow drift that
had already heaped itself on the road
side, and lay there. muifed, almost in
distinguishablo heap, and Mr.. Land
half fell, half sprang beyond her, hut
was on his feet instantly again. The
horse also was on his feet and going in
to the distance at fine gallop, the
sound of which was soon lost ON the
sweep of the angry wind.
"Ah, are you hurt! Are you hurt2
He had gathered Miss Hanford up in
his arms, and was holding her as easily
as if she had been child.
81 don't know" said Marian, strug
Cling promptly to regain her footing on
the earth; but the instant she accom-
! plished this a cry of pain escaped her.
"My foot" she said, family. "Some-
thing is the matter with my foot"
"a sprain. perhaps" Eugene said,
compassionately. "Just try to walk a
step or two"
She did try, then caught at Eugene
arm with both her hands.
81 can't" she said quietly. "The
| pain is terrible"
"Then, good heavens, what are we to
do? 1 could carry you easily-but-to
keep my feet in this wind"
"You can carry me to the schoolhouse,
If you will. have the key here. am
sorry, Mr.. Landt, to give you this
trouble"
"The very thing" he said promptly.
'Lucky it's so near. Just put your
arm round my neck, please. That's
right
He took her up lightly, and began to
plod his way, with bent head, against
the storm.
"You'll have to guide me, Miss Han
ford, if you cam"
SEQ on straight little way-a few
steps further Now, turn off the road
the footpath is here. Now you are all
right. You'll feel the fence in minute. y
81 feel it now," said Eugene, bump
ing himself against it; ''and here's the
gate. Actually I'VE are in luck as Mr.
Slower says"
Another minutes careful plodding
brought them TO the door, which Eugene
unlocked. Within all was cimmeriar
darkness, but the change to warm, dry
atmosphere was a delightful sensation
Mr.. Landt groped his way to seat, de.
posted Miss Hanford thereon. and under
her direction lit the little lamp above
the desk and kindlcd cheerful wood
fire in the big drum stove. Then he re.
moved her snow powdered wraps and his
own overcoat, shook them vigorously and
hung them in frit ndly companionshir
near the warmth to dry.
"NOw, we must see little to the poor
foot, Miss Hanford," he said, going
down on his knees before her. "Let mt
remove your boot. Don't be afraid;
won't hurt you."
But despite his light, careful touches
Marian WINGED with pain. The removal
of the stocking was accomplished with
an air of almost professional gravity, and
then Eugene, having satisfied himself
that no bones were broken, began tC
bind up the sprain. For this purpose
he tore in strips his own linen handker-
chief, wetted it with snow, and swathed
the slender instep and ankle tightly
Then he said cheerfully:
"NOw we are ahead of the swelling,
anyway, and I'll make you as comforta
BILE rs / can. Let me lift you into this
armchair. Then You can lean back
So" He caught stool and placed il
under her feet, and stood looking down
kindly on her pale, unsmiling face.
'Tt's too bad, of course he said
gently, "but accidents will happen. W.
must make the best of it.
"Of course" said Marian. "Thanl
you.' She looked anywhere but at the
bright and Ieassuring face above her
81 am very, very sorry this has occur
red. If only l had Kept the reins +.
might kave known. d"know, in fact
But-no matter. 1t can't be helped
now."
At this overflow of base and truly
feminine ingratitude Mr.. Landt merely
raised his eyebrows and walked over to
distant bench, whereon he settled him
self in an attitude of repose. The little
clock between the windows ticked so
ciably, and the pleasant purring of The
fire suggested comfortable companion
ship; but these two very handsome
young people, whom fate had paired of
in this novel and unexpected fashion
listened to the roaring of the storm
gusts, the rafting of doors and windows
in cold and formal silence. Now ant
than word was uttered and answered
relative to the flight of time or the con
dition Of the fire, and again silence
brooded.
Mr.. Landt grew restless presently. He
stirred about the room, picking up {
school book here and there, yawnine
undisguisedly over an Old almanac ht
discovered, and altogether betrayed the
utmost weariness of soul. As for Mis-.
Hanford, she still sat quite motionles.
and very pale, with an expression o.
pride and subdued resentment on hel
clear-cut features that Eugene could
not fail to see and understand.