Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-16


beside the road, and keeled over, carry
ing his rampant mate with him into the
ditch They were powerful team be-
longing to Nellie's uncle, and were drag
ging an empty wood-sledge Their
driver was hallooing in the distance, as
he ran wearily along.
Nellie pondered moment over the
success of her defense and gazed at the
quivering limbs of the foe, and then
turned back to Genevieve, painting. TIE
| girls were on the bank at the other side
of the road.
Meantime, Balkan had but just locked
up, realized the peril and caught Gene
We've in his arms, while Morton threw
his weight wildly upon the young mans
struggling shoulders. 1t is always in
some such way that a person weak in
emergencies assists the real actors.
So swiftly do runaway horses proceed
that it only seemed an instant since Gen
evieve had tainted
Now all the girls swooped down from
their perch helpfully, and surrounded
their pale friend, whose swoon was so
much in earnest that she had not stirred
an eyelash Nellie seized Balkans hand
and told him she must speak with him
instantly.
''Did you offer yourself2" she sew erely
demanded, when she had led him, per-
emptorily, out of hearing OF the others.
''No," he gasped, gazing blankly, as a
man does who is confronted with more
Greek than he is prepared for.
''Didn't you propose?" exclaimed Mel
lie, in the same indignant tone, which
showed Balkan that he was a criminal,
whichever way he pleaded.
''Do explain!' he quasered, gently.
But Nellie was off to Genevieve with
impertinent haste, kneeling down at her
side, calling for soft snow from under a
drift and rubbing the beauty's temples
and lips with it, while she explained to
Morton how to get Genevieve's hands
warm much to his satisfaction, for sho
did not object to his covering them with
! kisses.
The teamster came up, and Nellie
found time to scold him for his stupidity
II know you by sight, Jim, she said
''But that shan't save you. Go you shall
from my uncle's serviceW
"But, Miss"
''No 'buts' You might have killed a
dozen people, you goose"
Gas true as l live, Miss, I've always
heard as how horses will run in winter
when the moon is near the full, as
its been proved this day. So crisp-like
everywhere, Miss, what can you expect
of them"
"Swear you'll never leave your horses
without tying them tight" commanded
Nellie, haughtily.
''Faith I'll swear whin I'm out of your
prisince, Miss" Jim humbly answered.
The horses were unhitched from the
sledge, and the young people undertook
to drag Genevieve home, which the stout
poles at the sides of the conveyance as
sisted them to accomplish, as the girls
could take hold of them and propel,
while the young men dragged the cum
brous concern. The fair invalid was pill
D lowed on muffs and covered with new
, markets, and was pleased to revive nicely.
t It was first sunset and then deep dusk
1 when the catafalque slowly reached
e home.
1t may be supposed that dinner was q
little late that evening.
A Nellie came into the parlor before the
q others, looking lovely, in still another
e of her Worth dresses, and Balkan was
e waiting for her, ready to pounce.
: Nellie's eyes, which looked unusually
f big and bright, because she had been cry
: ing all to herself, filled again with tears.
i She edged away into the anteroom, and
Il he followed.
e II meant" she replied, soto voce,
d 'that when you love her, and when she
o loves you, and when you come out into
the 'backwoods' and have plenty of op.
J. portunities, and when we are all looking
), ON from respectful distance, it is per
d fectly stupid of you not to offer yourself
:? to Genevieve, and l should have tainted
h and died both if | had been in hel
l. place! She showed great self control not
n to have died. You had no business tc
IT stipulate the tree, anyhow, for of course
if she would expect everything to be set
q tied hefore she not there OH of course