The Red Cloud chief., 1889-12-27

~ III WCAS oOOoS ASAS las oA0 ~
wiping the blood from her face-a little
scratch received from the corner Of the
chair: his voice was speaking polite and
comforting. and it even seemed affec-
tomato words; but still she sObbed. her
heart nearly broken.
He inwardly thanked God for this OPP
portunity, but was a nd-hearted man
after all, and as he appreciated her situa-
ton he gently drew her toward the hall.
'I-I-will-go-go-by myself" she
stammered, as she reached the thresh-
old.
Very WE'LL" he answered. Il hope
you are not seriously hurt"
After which he withdrew his support
ing arm. and she would have fed pre-
c~ipitately. But when her whole weight
came upon her shocked muscles they re.
fused to give her their accustomed aid,
and she staggered SO helplcssly that he
at Once came to her relief. A few mo-
mcntS later she was reclining in a large
chair in her own pretty room and he wa
standing in the center Of his, wondering
how She happened to be where he found
her.
1t would be wrong to say hat he ar
rived at the proper solution of tho prob
lem at once; for, although his wits
were fairly sharp and the correct
thought came Il his mind, still nc was
not SO conceited as to believe it at first.
He collected the hairpins and a dainty,
lacc-trimmed handkerchief and placed
them carefully in one corner Of the
bureau drawer before mentioned. As he
was about to turn away his eye fell
upon the glOve-buttOner, and with an
inward laugh and a sentimental twinge
at his heart he gazed raptly ut it, and
then, with 4 sigh which may have
meant very much. put it with the other
spoils and dropped into his great chair
to think.
Several days flew swiftly by to the
busy workers of this bustling city, but
they hung very heavily upon the hands
of two fated mOrtals. He resumed his
seat as usual at the table. but she came
not. Day after day went by and she
was not seen: and his heart beat more
wildly as he surveyed her vacant chair.
knowing 50 we'll the cause Of its ahan-
dOnment. Her mother seemed in no
way changed towards him. and her
friends seemed not to be aware Of the
remarkable coincidence.
Sunday came. and he felt sure that
she would then show herself, but he was
disappointed. Sunday evening after
church he was so much worried and
troubled that he summoned the neceS-
sary courage and asked her mother if
Miss - was seriously ill. And this
was her answer:
"Ycs; we are greatly worried about
her. She sleeps not at all-Or only in
fitful maps. She eats almost nothing.
She has a high fever. and really we are
much alarmed. The strangest part is
that We can not account for i: in any
way"
Hearing this, it is not strange that he
found little sleep Sunday night. lie saw
that her pride and shame were killing
her. lie knew not why, but his own
~sations. and do what he might he could
not think consccutively Of any thing or
anyone but her.
This state of affairs continued until
New Years morning at about half-paSt
eleven o'clock. She, for the first time, left
her little room and quickly entered her
mothers. His door was open u little
way, and he caught a glimpse Of her
dress-thc same she had worn a week
ago when he SO surprisingly found her.
He was at that moment examining for
the hundredth time her belongings he
had carefully put away. And as he saw
her enter her mothers room a thought
came to him-Or, rather, courage came
to him-suficient to carry out the bid
ding of a thought he had cherished for
many days.
He stopped not to consider for fear his
heart might grow faint, but quickly
wrote a few words ON his card and tied
the hairpins. glove buttOner and hand
kerchief with it into 4 neat package.
Then tremblingly he sought the mothers
bedroom door. The hOnOrcd lady re-
spOnded to his knock, and with a very
flushed face he stammered:
''PardOn-I think should say this
or these belong to your daughter"
After which he made \ very shame
faced retreat. a few moments the good
woman stared in blank amazcmcnt at
the package she held, but she had mo-
long to mediate thus. The daughter,
who was reclining On a sofa in a o
exhausted manner, suddenly received
new strength as she heard his voice, and
%springing to her feet. she pulled her
mother into the room, tore the package
from her and burst its cord in almost
breathlcss haste. The mother was by
this time thoroughly amazed. and sank
into a chair. not really knowing what
next to expect.
The daughter read the few words upon
the card at least 4 dozen times. Tears
came to her eyes; 6er bosom hcaved
with mighty sobs, and she buried her
face in the cushions of the sofa.
Alarmed at this the mother vent to
her child. and when she became more
calm she laid her beautiful head upon
her mothers lap and told her every
thing. Then she seized a piece Of paper.
wrote also a few words. tied it in with
the relics-if they may be so called
and induced her mother to return it to
the room at the end of the hall.
This done the mother entered the