Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-23
MARJORIE DAW."
Written for the SUNDAY UNION by the Noun
toi, u

silent, grave, WIFI thoughtful pIo" ahu
face serene, listening to the cry of the
birds as they flew overhead on their way
to their homes now bare and leahess.
1t was autumn, and as the evening came
on the stars appeared one by one, and the
moon arose from his bed and shed his
beams alike on land and sea, beaming
brightly here and there, and glimmering
through the leafess branches that pict-
ured their forms on the earth beneath.
Still the girls wandered on, now speak
ing in low tone as if afraid the sound of
their voices might mar the night serene
and destroy the peace and quiet of the
beautiful surroundings.
Suddenly the stiffness of the night was
broken by thesound of horses hoofs-clat-
ter, clatter over the road, up the hill, and
then it became apparent to the two girls
that the horse was going at a frightful
pace, and that horse or rider, one must be
quite mad. On came the footsteps nearer
and nearer, and when quite near the two
girls, frightened, perhaps, by the silent
figures, and, perhaps, just giving vent to
his own frightful temper, the horse gave a
frightful lunge to one side and galloped
riderless down the hill.
There was smothered groan from the
rider-no longer rider-and then, G.
the ugly beast" and all was still. The
girls hurried up to the motionless figure,
and STOPPING over him discovered him to
be unconscious.
Miriam, run to the brook and bring a
little water" said one as she supported
his head on her lap.
They bathed his temples and face, fan
ming him the while with his cap, and soon
had the satisfaction of seeing him open his
eyes and look about. He attempted to
rise, but Immediately sank back again
with an exclamation of rage and pain.
Don't atterapt to rise" said the girl
supporting his head, and then for the first
time he noticed who it was that had
helped him, and, | am ashamed to say, was
not very grateful for their timely aid.
"Whowe they and how came they there
Did the ugly brute get away?" he asked.
Only "Yes," was the reply; and what we
are going to do with you is more than |
can tell. Where are you hurt?"
1T is my arm, l think, and l dare say
l shall be all right to rest here until
morning.
81 dare say. Miriam, come help me
to raise him." is the only reply to this
cross and ungrateful speach.
Together they raised him to such a po-
sition that he was able to get on his feet,
and supported by the Two girls, this
strange figure found himself being led
along against his will, but too weak and
in too much pain to resist.
After a walk of about mile, at the
end OF which the figure feels as though he
will surely make pickle of himself and
faint on these two girls hands, they come
to tiny house among leatiess branches,
and surrounded by numerous walks COW
cred with the autumn remains of many
flowers.
Around all this was row of trees in
closed with a very Gilapidated- looking
fence. In fact every thing about the place
looked as though it had stood through
various wars and been visited by several
cyclones of enormous dimensions
All this the figure notices with a grim
sense of growing pain, discomfort and a
feeling of angry resistance.
By the gate his horse is standing as
quietly as though he never had been
guilty of misdemeanor in the whole of
his life, much less having just thrown his
master high and dry on public highway
and left him to the tender mercies of the
night
They led the figure through the gate,
up one of the many walks, and through a
side door into little hall. Here they
waited moment, and calling Barney,
Barneyw were soon Joined by an old man
who came in from the way of the kitchen.
Take this gentleman into the east room.
remove his clothing and put him to bed.
Then when you have made him as COM
Portable as possible under the circum-
stances, come to me-"
All this was spoken by the taller of the
girls who had addressed the other as Mlri-
am; and at the word gentleman" the
figure could not represS a look and start
despite his great pain.
He was led away by the hobbling old
man and put to bed and made as comfort
able as a man could make him, and then
the old man disappeared Soon he heard
light footsteps, and the girls stood beside
him with bandages and ointment, and an
old woman by their side.
The taller girl, whom we will call Mar
Jorle, came up to the bedside holding a
lamp in her hand, and after gazing criti-
cally at the occupant, set the lamp on the
table and proceeded to unroil the Dand-
ages, and while she is thus engaged let us
look upon the figure.
There iS a nrofilciop of Ii1lt bro,-,, / -.
and under broad marble brow the ewes of
deep blue color are shaded by long
brown lashes. The nose slightly longer
than nature demands, and the mouth
irregular and covered by fair silky mus
tache. It is a goodly face, yet not hand
some. The figure is light and plant, and
his hands sinewy and lean.
After moment of thoughtful silence,
during which time Marjorie gazes con-
templatively at nothing, she asks the fig
ure to present the injured limb for inspec-
ton. Thereupon she proceeds to bandage
and wrap and grease, without, apparently,
the slightest computations for the figures
pale face and look of pain. Then having
arranged everything to her satisfaction she
proceeds to wrap the figure well in the
covering. Sending her sister and the old
woman from the room, with injunctions to
send Barney up, she prepares to establish
herself for the night beside the sufferer in a
stiff backed chair drawn close for that pur-
pose.
Il hope YOU do not think of sitting
there until morning." remarked the figure
from the bed, as he looks upon her, per.
chance TO see what his physician and nurse
looked like. What he saw there to make
him turn his face to the wall with IA slight
gesture of scorn we cannot tell; for the
girl made a fair enough picture in spite of
the appearance of poverty her attire was
marked with.
She was above medium hight, slender
and straight, with a small beautifully
formed head, held with a stately air, and
set we'll back on her shoulders. Her hair
was a rich wavy chestnut, which was taken
back from broad, low brow and coiled in
knot at the back of the neck. The eyes
were of beautiful brown. having a mourn
full look, yet strong, earnest light in their
depths, beautiful to see. Her nose was
straight and rather large, and the mouth
expresses at once sweetness and tirmness.
shall sit here until see that Won
have fallen asleep and are comfortable, and
then shall go to rest
As she spoke he turned once more and
gazed on his fair watcher, marveling at
the sweetness and richness of tho voice