The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1890-12-13
ESTABLISHED 1850.

DuI JlaC was QOuDJleSS Que 10 the IdcI LOaL Sne
herself was far from comfortable
II do not think there is any danger" said.
"But know there is, she answered. Then
throwing down the robes she stood up in the
sleigh and added: "Give me the reins. Get
down there out of the wind and cover your
selfup."
II will do nothing of the kind, | replied.
"You must,'' she insisted, "or you will die''
At this moment shudder passed over me,
and realized what truth there might be in
her words. She OWNED the reason for my
silence and said:
"You know am right. Oh, why will you
not do what | ask?'
"Butyou
Never mind me- will be all right besides,
it will only be for a little while"
second shudder, worse than the first,
reused me Thoroughly to my danger, and, pro-
testing that it was only for a minute or two
that | would avail myself of the shelter to the
sleigh-box, l crouched down and allowed her
to cover me over. | was soon shaking like
onei an ague-ft. growing hot and cold by
turns. How terribly slow we seemed to be
going Two or three times tried to rise and
take the reins but was unable, and my
companion assured me each time that she
nS ePd eepa afa Bal anE saa a S6
believe her then, and know now that what
she said was not true-that she suffered terribly;
but did not know until they told me, weeks
afterward, at the hotel in Brenton, that she
heavier; for 1 was insensible when they lifted
me from the sleigh. l remember when the
grinding of the runners on the drifts seemed 70
cease, and have confused recollection OF tthe
quicker tinkling of the bells as the horses
struck trot, when the woods were reached
again; but, of the remainder of the journey
remember nothing.
When, three weeks later, weak from fever,
/ employed my first conscious minute in in,
quiring after my companion, the nurse told
me that she had driven the horses into Bren-
ton at gallop. Not knowing about the two
roads, she had naturally enough followed the
straight one and so for fourteen miles had driven
alone through the forest, with me lying I'M
conscious at her feet. The hostler of the only
hotel that Brenton boasted was at the door
looking for the mail-stage when he saw team
coming down the forest road at terrific pace,
woman standing in the sleigh and plying
the whip with all her strength. She had
drawn rein before the door, and springing out,
exclaimed:
"Never mind me see to him P' and pointed
to where l lay. They carried me into the
house and put me to bed, while the lady fell
before the fire in faint, caused half by weari-
ness and half by the reaction of her nervous
power. Strange to say, she was not really
much the worse for her terrible experience;
but had walked up in fever, and for three
weeks had been out of my mind
"Where is the lady now?' l asked, but
added: "Of course, she has gone. l would
like to have seen her"
The nurse stepped aside without replying.
looked up for some explanation, when my
eyes rested on the face of Katie Macdonald.
katie p was all could say.
"Aleck!" she replied, and took my outstretch-
ed hand in hers.
katie" asked, after moment of happi-
ness too deep for words, ''is it possible that
you were my companion and saviour"
She smiled in her old, sweet way as she
answered. II do not know about my being the
last, but l certainly was the first"
"And did not know"
''But l did, she said, with a merry laugh.
"And, what is more, l knew you after you
first spoke to me-"
looked at her hands. There was no ring
upon her small white finger.
katie said, "they tell me you saved my
life but you had better have let me lose it
unless you promise to shareit with me-"
She did not speak but the look in her eyes
was enough, and did not press for an answer.
After few moments, she said:
''You must not talk about foolish things,
but hurry and get well. The horses ready,
the roads are good and l want to get you safely
on your homeward journey"
Then for the first time, my business came
into my head, and spoke about it.
Never mind about that she said. 1T
! was very impertinent of me; but L looked at
| your papers, found out what you had to do,
| and did it for you"
Seeing my look of astonishment, she added
'Oh, it was easy enough You see, We
came upon the same business The gentle
man whom you had come to see was my uncle,
and he had written me to be sure to be here
on the day we arrived, as it was important
| that should sign some papers in his presence.
They were about property which comes to me
when am twenty-one,' she explained, land
you had the papers. AS it turned out, it did
not really make much difference whether got
there that day or not. My uncle thought it did,
| but it seems he was wrong; so | need not have
| compelled you to take an unwelcome compan-
ion for sleigh-drive. And now, to answer
your question If you are satisfied to trust
your future happiness to person who insists
| on going where she is not wanted, and who
looks over peoples papers without permission,
| why, Aleck, you can have me-"
What ensued does not concern any one but
ourselves.