The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-04-30


buried from sight; but he found door
on the south side, from which the snow
had been swept away.
1t few wide open at the first sound Of
his step upon the porch, and woman
looked anxiously out.
as 1t you, dear? Ihave been so wor-
ried--"
The sentence ended in . cry Of grief
and terror as she caught sight OF a
stranger bearing an inanimate form in
his arms.
"My niece has persisted in this terri
Bile storml 1 tried my best to keep her,
but she would go for the medicine. She
is very fond of little Benny, and could
not bear TO see him suffer. 1t was like
her to risk her life so bravely and
heroicallyl But, oh! can never for
give myself"
Jack strobe past the weeping woman
and laid his burden on the ehintz-cov-
cred lounge.
Bring restoratives," he cried. ''Quicl1l
woman; every moment is precious"
With his own hands he removed the
snow-cOvered hood.
As no looked down upon the white,
upturned face his own grew CHASTITY
pale and he reeled like a drunken man.
"LillianT'
The word broke from him in half
oonvulsive sob OF anguish. No wonder
that voice had sounded startlingly IA
miliar. 1t was the girl he ardently
loved, but had never expected to see
again.
What did it ali meanP He had be-
heved she was thousands Of miles away.
He snatched tho restoratives Mrs.
West brought, and thrust into her hand
the little package Lillian had run such q
frightful risk to procure.
Look to your little one. will do
what is necessary here"
The woman gave him a long, search
ing look, and passed on to an inner room.
Jack pressed passionate kiss upon
Lillian's unansweripg lips; thcn, with a
curious gesture Of self-restraint, began
rubbing her cold hands and temples.
1t seemed an age before there came a
faint, futtering breath, and her big blue
eyes stared bewilderingly up to him.
IL thought you were jack" she
whispered, dreamily, pushing the dis
heveled hair back from her face
$50 l an. But can not understand
your being here, Lillian"
She sat up, and suddenly put her hand
TO her forehead.
II remember all now" she said at
length. Il had sunk down exhausted
In the snow. A stupOr was creeping
over me. l knew it meant death. But
did not seem to care. Thenyou came,
knew you the instant you spoke. Your
presence gave me fresh courage and
strength. rose and struggled on again
until / could go no further. And now
am safe, thanks to you"
Jack looked down at her with a
strange light in his eyes and his breast
heaving.
LILLIAN. don't keep me in suspense
youowe me an explanation. IL thought
you were In Europe, travelling with your
husband"
az am not married, !" she answered. with
q vivid blush.
The young man leaned nearer. He
trembled with excitement; his breath
came and went quickly.
'Rumor said you were engaged K
Richard VOse three years ago and
would go abroad on your honeymoon
trip. 1 never heard it contradicted."
Lillian seemed to struggle with her
self a moment, as If there were some
thing she wanted to say and could no
| 6nd the courage.
''Mr. VOse did propose to me-" she
whispered, falteringly, ''but refused
| him"
"Why3"
because loved another better"
"Do you mean me, dsrling?"
No need to record the answer. WheI
Mrs. West peeped out from the sick
room moment later the big blonde
stranger sat on the lounge with his arm
| about her niece's waist.
"a romance Of the blizzard" she saiC
to herself, smilingly. 81 suspect Their
were many Others. "-Rett Winwood, Il
Boston Globe.