Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-06-11

noao rested mot1onless against the dead
ly GOODNESS of the snow.
Poor little thing! She has tainted
from exhaustion - and no wonder!'
Jack exclaimed, lifting the senseless
figure tenderly in his arms
just then halo of pale light glim-
mered through the darkness. Rightly
concluding this was the beacon to which
reference had been made, he struggled
toward it with his precious burden.
The front of the house was half
buried from sight; but he found door
on the south side, from which the snow
had been swept away
1t flew wide open at the first sound OF
his step upon the porch, and a woman
looked anxiously out.
us it you, dear? l have been so wor-
ried-"
The sentence ended in ry of grief
and terror as she caught sight of
stranger bearing an inanimate form In
his arms.
My niece has perished in this terri
bic storm! l 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
heroically! But, oh! l can never for
give myself"
Jack strobe past the weeping woman
and laid his burden on the chintz-cov-
cred lounge
Bring restoratives, he cried. "Quick!
woman; every moment is precious"
with his own hands he removed the
snow-coverod hood.
AS he looked down upon the white,
upturned face his own grew CHASTITY
pale and he recled like a drunken man.
"Lillian!''
The word broke from him in half
convulsive 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 all mean? He had be-
heved she was thousands of miles away.
lie snatched the restoratives Mrs.
West brought, and thrust into her hand
the little package Lillian had run such
frlghtful risk to procure.
Look to your little one. l will do
what is necessary here"
The woman gave him a long, search
ing look, and passed on to an inner room.
Jack pressed a passionate kiss upon
L1llian's unanswering lips; then, with
curious gesture of self-restraint, began
rubbing her cold hands and temples.
1t seemed an age before there came
faint, 1luttering breath, and her big blue
eyes stared bewilderingly up to him.
IL thought you were jack" she
whispered, dreamily, pushing the dis
heyeled hair back from her face.
$50 | am. But l can not understand
your being here, Lillian
She sat up, and suddenly put her hand
to her forehead.
Il remember all now" she said at
length. Il had sunk down exhausted
in the snow. \ stupor was creeping
over me. | knew it meant death But
did not seem to care. Then you 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 l
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. II thought
you were in Europe, travelling with your
husband"
Il am not married, she answered, with
a vivid blush.
The young man leaned nearer. BE
trembled with excitement his breath
came and went quickly.
"Rumor said you were engaged to
Richard Vose three years ago and
would go abroad on your honeymoon
trip. never heard it contradicted."
Lillian seemed to struggle with her
self moment, as if there were some
thing she wanted to say and could not
find the courage.
'Mr. Vose did propose to me-" she
whispered, falteringly, but 1 refused
him"
"Why?"
Because l loved another better"
"Do you mean me, darling?"
No need to record the answer. When
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 said
to herself, smilingly. Il suspect there
were many others. '-Rett Winwood, in