The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-08-22

One bright, breezy day in Sep
tember Helen canieTed off soon
after dinner with her sketching
material, ostensibly to make some
sketches of the autumn scenery,
but really to commune with ma
ture, the only mother she has ever
known, and TO decide what answer
she should give on the morrow 10
her wealthy lover, who that day
asked her to be his wife. She told
him that she must read her heart
before she could answer, and he
hoped for favorable reply.
Joe had been offended BY one of
her hasty speeches a week, before.
They were talking abont Russell,
and she had asserted somewhat
warmly that she knew Of no one
whose society she preferred. AS
soon MS the impulsive words were
spoken she repented, but Joe rode
away with a look in his blue eyes
| that had haunted her ever since.
Somehow Joe's naughty head,
! flung back like a stag at bay, kept
looming up before her mental
vision, when duty demanded that
she be thinking of Russell and his
| flatIering offer.
| The hours wore on, and so pre-
occupied was she that she did not
observe the heavy clouds that were
rolling black and massive down
the mountain sides.
| Suddenly a large drop splashed
| in her face, and she looked about
her in alarm. A heavy equinoc-
| iial storm seemed almost upon
her.
Wildfre sprang forward at the
touch of the whip, and literally
flew in the direction of the house.
| The clouds were rolling over the
| hills like giant ogres clad in mist.
Thunder and sharp VIVID lightning
followed. and then the deluge.
Wildire dashed on until they
came TO The creek, and then the
girl drew back in dismav.
The creek was a loaming torrent
and she could not see the bridge.
Suddenly she heard a mans
voice shouting to her, and in few
minutes Joe on his tough little
mustang was beside her. lie wore
buffalo overcoat and threw a
large cloak of her own about her
shoulders She dill not wait to
ask how he happened TO come for
her. She forgot that he was angry
and hurt. She reached out her
firm white hand and caught Joe's
extended fingers, and side by side
the horses were urged across the
bridge.
They gallOped home IN silence,
and when they reached there and
Helen stepped INTO The friendly
shelter of the broad veranda she
noted The fact that Joe led both
horses to the stable aud put them
up.
Half an hour later Joe, arrayed
in Sheriff Blacks dressing gown
and slippers (articles brought by
Miss Helen from the east). was
explaining to The rosy, demure
young mistress OF the house that !
her father had been suddenly call
ed 10 the next town, and might not |
return before early morning. "He |
asked me 10 keep sort Of II lookout
over the place, and when | rode
over to ask you to invite me 10 tea
and found you gone | hastened
after you"
This speech over an embarrassed
silence followed. 1t was broken
by joe, who looked straight al his
hostess and SAID:
"IG am inlruding, Miss Nellie.
why, just give the word and I'll
CO."
Helen assured him in con-
strained sort of way that she was
glad of company, and went out to
prepare The hllle supper herself
for in those days, as now, servants
were rare and insufficient in the
west.
After supper in an awkward
pause IN The conversation, Joe took
up little case from the table and
began examining its contents-a
bright new PAIR of hand cuffs.
They were q new kind Just from
the east, and Helen began explain
ing the spring lock, which opened
with a skeleton key.
Somehow one of The bands was
on Joe's wrist as she slipped The
other bright eIrclel over her firm,
white hand, when lol the lock
snapped and they were locked to-
geiher.
Helen blushed crimson and com
menced searching for the key in
nervous haste.
But no key was to be found.
Suddenly the truth dawned upon
her. The KEY was in her fathers
pocket and he was on the other
side Of Crow creek. which was now
a fosming torrent and dangerous
TO cross in the storm and dark
ness.
She tried 10 smile and treat the
matter tightly, but il was just The
ghost Of smile, and il was a very
doleful voice that slid: Il am
afraid. Mr.. Gordon, that We must
break the lock. Father has the
key"
Toe felt tempted 10 indulge in a
hearty laugh over their queer tu-
alton, but a glance ~ the distress
ed lace across the table sobered his
mirlh. A great thrOb Ol sorrOw