The St. Johns herald., 1889-04-25

waking moments.
 At first, she thought John would know she had oniy spoken in anger, and would come again sung for forgiveness and ask ing to be reinstated in her heart; but the winter was half over now. and though they had often met, he had merely bowed his head in grave greeting. and his eyes gave no sign of the torture which was gnawing at his heart.
 The snow lay. thick and white upon the ground, when the great sleighing frolic was proposed, and Alice was ready, as she was ever ready now, to drown forgetfulness in any new thing which offered.
 They were to drive twelve miles over to Farmer Whites, where grand dance was promised before the ride home by moon light It had come to be rather settled thing as to whom WIl Arden should escort, so no one was surprised when Alice, de cIining all other invitations. said she was already engaged 10 gn with him.
 It was about foIr o'clock when Mir. Arden drove up to her fathers door. and the hand some little cutter drawn by it's spirited horses, with it's robes warm and tempting, made a pretty picture, but it was incom- plete until Ahce filled the vacant seat, when, with her cheeks flushed and sparkling, her eyes bright with some of their old merri- ment, her chestnut hair catching the sun shine, she gave to it the last needed touch.
 But the old farmer, even as he watched her with a look of pride, shook his head as he glanced at tine sky.
 q don't altogether like the looks of it." he muttered, {" but 1 hadn't the heart to disappoint her when it all seems so fair"
 But the two young hearts, in their joyous youth, thought only of the present sun shine as they sped rapidly over the slippery path to the music of the silver bells.
 It was sunset when they reached the farm, and they were met with 9 shout of welcome, and soon, with horses housed and fed, were the light and life of the party.
 John Harding was here tonight, and he, too, entered into the frolic with his old earnestness. Once he met Alice's eyes. Something in their look seemed to call him to her side, but with the softening of the moment came the memory of her bitter words. her rumOred engagement with young Arden. and he met the appealing look with one hard and cold and turned away.
 But, to her amazement, as the >clock chimcd the hour of ten, and all were busy with their preparations for departure, John Harding came to her side
 "You will forgive my suggestion, Miss Alice. but am afraid Mr. Arden is not eX- actly in the condition 10 manage those spir- tied horses, and, for your parents sake, if you will accept Q seat in my sleigh shall be very happy to offer it to you"
 "You again seem to forget my parents in trusted me to MT. Arden s care Therefore, .l,. md. ness, l must decline"
 But when. an hour later, they had be- come separated from the other sleighs, and she realized her escorts hand was un- steady, his head scarcely clear, and the snow began falling in thick, feathery flakes, while the cold penetrated even under buff falo robes, q sensation of uneasiness crept over her which made her shiver.
 ''Are you cold!" said her companion. ''Draw the robes closer. Is it not time we were out of this Wood!'
 Great Heaven! Fad they lost their way For mCmCnt the bare possibility thrilled every nerve; then the young heart took courage ard stcelCd itself to the worst. On and on they dashed through the white, blinding snow, untll the horses maddened, plunged and snorted. struggling to get free. The hands which held the reins were growing numb, and the brain whiOh was guiding them becoming more and more dis traught, when to Ahce came the realization that for her foolish pride must she pay the forfeit of her life.
 Graspng the reins as the horses dashed into mad run, she vainly strOve to guide them. They scarce knew q hand was on the lines. It WIS but moment ere the was over and when Alice opened her eyes to consciousness she found her self upon the snow for her bed, the help less form of her companion beside her. He seemed unhurt, but stupefied with the bit ter cold; and, protecting him as best she might with the robes thrown from the over turned sleigh, she wrapped herself in one remaining and lay down to meet the end.
 An! if only once she could meet Johns eyes again; could tell him how see had sui fered all these months for her willfulness, how gladly she would bend her pride; how willingly sue to be taken back into that great. warm heart, to feel she held there once more the old, old place, then die con- tent.
 "John! John!" burst in one piteous cry from the cold, trembling lips; then the eye lids fluttered and closed in sleep-a sleep from which, if not soon aroused, there would be no waking.
 But succor was near. Full well the man who would have given his life for her knew the danger into which she was so reckessly plunging. Unknown to her, he had deter mined to follow and guard her; and when the horses ahead of him broke into that mad run, he uttered but one prayer-that he might be in time to save her. He feared that in the binding storm he had lost them, when to his ears was borne that piteous cry, which came 10 him like voice from Heaven answering his prayer
 In q moment he was by her side. Gather ing the helpless form into his strong arms, he rained passionate kisses upon the cold, upturncd face, and held her closer and closer til he felt life and warmth were struggling back for mastery, Then placing her tenderly ill tue sleigh, and lifting in her he soon was on his way to home and safety,
 It was many days ere Alice recovered from the shock and exposure of that fear ful night; but when the color crept back into her cheek, and she knew by whom her life was saved, her pride had gone; and when next John came, he listened to plea Fo, For.;yaDaSS .vbieb NvaS all unOendad