New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-11-06

f.tkss#ffF .-=--1a beacon IN Cue DARK
49, = ness and led him to
me, and then the moon came out
and showed him my face and his
heart gave a thump that sealed his
tate.
The idea! say it was all on &C
count of a thunder storm. If there
hadn't been a storm that spread
black darkness over all the roads he
never would have lost his way and I
never would have disgraced the
whole family by sitting out in the
pagoda at almost midnight. And if
there had been no storm I never
would have felt like singing. with
mother lying sick in bed up at the
house. Of course, he just insists, to
tease me because [ have no more
voice than a mosquito. And it is
only when there is a great noise
about me that feel as though could
sing in a way to make the clouds
send back the echoes.
Now you can side with whichever
of us you happen to like best-with
me or my great brown-bearded ty-
rant. The only thing for you to know
is that we had never seen each other
before. That I had been been close
ly confined to mothers sick-room all
day and SO could not resist the tempt
ing gale that shook the trees and
made the old house tremble. Wrap
ping up closely, [ stole out to the lit
tlepagodaway off behind the orchard,
and here with the whirling leaves
and the crashing thunder, shouted
out at the top of my voice, of all
things, the grand march from "The
Prophet.'' LA, la, la," were my
words and won't be certain that
the tune was recognizable; but ANY,
how, just as a highly triumphant
peal of thunder and voice crashed out
together, the moon tore a big black
cloud in tatters and threw her light
on a man who stood directly in front
Of me. There is nothing at all heroic
about me; but have never been
afraid of anything; and he had his
back to the light, SO [ could not see
his face. He came forward a step or
two and again we were in total
darkness.
Il beg your pardon,'' said he.
NThere is nothing to be afraid of.
My name is John Brownlow. am
a stranger in these parts and could
not find my way in the dark.
heard your voice, and guided by it.,
reached there. Will you be 50 kind
as to direct me to Mrs. Brownlow's?
All, here comes the first drop of rain!
1t is too bad; but I am afraid shall
have to beg your permission to stay
here for to-night-unless my mothers
house is not far distant.' 49,
1t was a long speech tor stranger
to make, but it gave me time to
consider. ....
"You are Dr. Brownlow?' said.
s5Then you are not such a stranger
to me. Your mother is very dear
friend of ours. 1t is impossible for
you to find the way tonight, so, if
you will, you had better stay with
us until the morning. Oh no, there
will be no Inconvenience whatever. :"
So we started off together, and
every now and then Would stumble.
1t was dreadfully awkward, and for
the first time in my life l felt what
embarrassment meant
II think you had better take nv
arm 1t was the first word spoken,
aud we were halfway to the house.
So [ took it and felt more at ease,
and then I told him how 1 happened
to be out in the middle OF the night,
[ expected him to be aWfuliy shocked,
but he only laughed and helped me
over a big branch that had fallen
across the path.
The rain began to fall in eatnest
now, and then-ye shades of propri-
ety!-I and a ran whom | had never
seen before started Off on a solid run.
And he dared to take out of his
pocket a great big table-cloth Of a
handkerchief, and throwing it over
my head calmly knoting two Of it's
ends under my chin. Ofcourse l was
going to be angry, but ejust caught
my arm and started off again, and
there was something so very-well,
almost paternal-about the whole
thing that changed my mind and
laughed instead.
DR.. John insisted on seeing mother
that very MONT. and bepoed that he
might prescribe for her and come to
see her. She really needed medical
advice, but had turned a deaf ear
to all OF my entreaties. Mother could
: not, however, resist the kind, strong
man that bent above her, and con-
sented to his request. After that,
somehow, it did not seemso very sad
to have mother sick, and | took TO