Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-09

What" cried Miss Spinks, are the
really going farther"
Probably for some hours to come"
replied, perhaps with the hope that sh
might have had enough and be willing t
turn back alone. But no! A moment
hesitation was followed by heroic resolv
to see it out; and Miss Spinks, moving wit
rather less elasticity than before, wa
again at my side. Another hundred yard
during which we were steadily falling int
the rear, brought us to the first serious oil
stacle to our progress. 1t was stout raj
fence, four bars high, but presenting n
difficulty to experienced climbers like Mis-
Fortescue.
| Miss Spinks approached it slowly
watched me ascend and descend, and the
solemnly avowed her inability to get owe
it.
sob, couldn'tl l know that couldn't
l should fall and be killed! | know
should! Oh, Mr.. HASTE, what am to do?
"Could you get through" | asked.
"Oh, Pll try. But never did such
thing before, and know I can't
l hardly fancied she could; but l littl
knew what was to expect.
| <sl1oc hDlnhS Ct CQ tllC lclC6, DIS IL me3S
uring the spaces between the bars. Thel
choosing her spot, she called me to he
assistance. went, not knowing quite hoy
| was to help, and was beyond measure as
tonished to see her stoop down and thrus
her head and shoulders between the bars
apparently with the notion of bringing he
body after them, more quadrupedum. TIL,
want of fore-legs seemed, however, to mill
tate against the success of this plan, ant
again Withdrawing her head she stood up
right and exclaimed:
II can't do it. l told you / couldn't
And you don't help me bit"
l struggled to be grave, and midi,
limited that she would find it easier if sh,
put one foot through first.
Do you think so ?" she cried !; and the1
with sudden accession of maiden modesty
added: "But you must turn and look tn,
other way-you really must"
obeyed, and momentary silence en-
sued. Then came cry.
ooh, Mr.. HASTE, helpl / am caught
fast and can't get out"
| | turned to behold a moving spectacle
One robust extremity was planted on my
side of the fence. The other was waving
in the air on the far side, apparently
seeking pied terre. The owner lay
prone along the second rail, her body
firmly wedged between the bars, her hal
crushed, her face crimson with exertion
| rushed to the rescue, but my task was
not an easy one. To pull her through wa.
impossible. | must, therefore, push hel
back. The operation was delicate, but il
must be performed. Hastily CHANGING
round, to be sure that there were no spec
tators, applied steady pressure to the
helpless figure. 1t resisted my efforts, and
l was compelled to increase the force
Suddenly the resistance gave way, and
with despairing shrek Miss Spinks rolled
over, 2 disheveled mass, into the long gras.
on the far side of the fence.
| | clambered over, and was at her side
before she could rise. She slowly assumed
a sitting posture, her dilapidated hat tilted
jauntily over one eye, her hair loose, hel
garments dyed with lichen and mold from
the rails. | expressed hope that she wa.
not hurt
''Only shaken little" she replied dole
fully, rising and lettering to the fence.
I" Do yon think you will be fit to walk
back to the station?' l inquired, feeling
concerned for her sorry plight.
She gave me look of mingled pathos
and reproach.
"The station p she echoed. sHow car
you be so unkind? You promised to tax,
me, and you have been trying ever since t.
get rid of me-"
This was hardly fair; but it was no tim,
to argue. | merely asked:
DO you mean to go on, then? ?"
"Of course l do,' she replied; sand i
you had let me get over this place a
first, we should have been with the other
by now"
"Really, Miss spinks," demonstrated
81 think you were the one to insist tina
you couldn't get over it."
'Oh, but l will" she cried petulantly
and then added sweetly, as if to max,
amends, "and you'll help me over, won
you?'
+" If you wish it." / answered "Only
show me exactly what to do, and then VIZ
shall be all right"
"Then you must get over first" / die
SO. "And now take both my hands,"
obeyed, and she laboriouslv climbed to the
third bar. Sand now lift me down"
1t was more than | had bargained for
but it had to be DONE | seized her by tn,
waist; she threw her arms around my necl
and gave spasmodic jump to clear the toy
bar. Preserving my equilibrium by
mighty effort, | staggered back step
deposited her on her feet, and turned K
see Captain Heavitree and Mrs DArcy
Domville watching the whole pro
ceeding from the gate at the oppo
site side of the field How Ions
they had been there know not, but tina
they had witnessed the whole of the clos
ing scene was clear from the innocent ex
preston Of the lady's face, as she ex
claimed, on our approach
''How far behind you are. Mr.. Hastie
Captain Heayitree and | are resting her,
before going home, for find / am not S,
good at rough walking and climbing a
some people" This with a giggle,- and
glance at the Captain for approval.
/ "Haw. hounds gone on dooce of a pace
haww said he. wont catch them thi
side of the cover unless you make NOR
running, hawr' and turned to continu,
his improving conversation.
| longed to know how much they hat
seen of the fence episode, but would no
appear curious, so we fastened on as rap
idly as Miss Spinks' clinging skirts woul'
allow. But we could catch neither sigh
nor sound of the field, and after half
mile of pursuit | saw that there was N,
hope of overtaking them before the,
reached the cover aforesaid. This was
well-grown wood, with dense underground
on the side of steep hill rising abruptl'
from the water's edge. The only way t
get through it was to strike upward, max
ing ones own path, towards gate some
where on the far side, leading into tn
fields beyond. where the ground again be
came fairly level.
4 Miss Spinks struggled on, despite grow
ing fatigue and the agonies of tight shoes
to the entrance of the wood. There W.
stopped to listen; but there was not tn
echo of voice, or the rustic of leaf, t.
tell of the passage of men or hounds. Mis-
Spinks was the picture of despair, yet no
hint did she give of willingness to turl
back, and my suggestions had hithert
been so coldly received that was resolve,
to let her choose her own time for aban
doning the chase.
@Where can they be gone p she cried
Cant you shout to themY
raised my voice in wild halloo. Th
echoes took it up, died away, and Their
was no response.
SIS there no place from which we ca,