Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-10-30

W
from perspiratlon as if had been
plunged into water. l knew | was
running a fearful risk in sitting down
in that piercing wind, but there seemed
to be no alternative; 50, protecting
myself az we'll as possible from The blast,
which seemed to grow in strength, |
urged the horses along. As they pro-
ceeded slowly, my companion threw the
covering from her head and said:
"You must have got hested, working
as hard rs you did; and you will take
cold unless you DO something at once.
fyou sit there till the cold strikes you,
you will de"
The voice seemed to have trace Of
tears in it; but that was dou ubtless due
to the fact that she herself was far from
comfortable.
II do not think there is any DANGER
| said.
"But | know there is," she answer
ed 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 yourself up
II will do nothing Of the kild," l
replied.
"You must she insisted, "or you
will die"
At this moment shudder passed
over me, and ! realized what truth
there might be in he. words. She di.
vincd the reason for my silence and
said:
"You know ain right. Oh why
Will you not do what l ask p
But you--
"Never mind me. | will be all
right; besides, it will be only Cor a llt-
tie while.'
A second shudder, worse than the
first, reused me thoroughly to my dam
ger, and, protesting thst it WAS only
for a minute or two that would avail
myself of the shelter of the sleigh.box, l
crouched down and allowed her to cover
me over. I was soon shaking like one
in an ague.ft, growing hot and cold by
turns. How terribly slow We seemed
to be gong. Two or three times, tried
to rise and take the reins, but WAS un-'
able and my companion assured Inc
each time that she was not cold and
was doing famous( (y-the excitement
kept her warm, she said. did not be-
hcye her then, and | know now that
what she SAID was not true--that she
suffered terribly; but did not know
until they told HE, weeks afterward, at
the hotel in Brenton, that she took OFT
her own wraps TO make my covering
heavier for was insenslble when they
lifted me from the sleigh. remember
when the grinding Of the runners on the
drifts seemed to cease, and have a con-
fused recollection Of the quicker tink-
hing of the bells as the hoaseS struck a
trot when the woods were reached again
but Of the remainder Of the Journey.
remember nothing.
Whcn three weeks later, weak from
feyer, employed my conscious minute
IN nquiring after my companion, the
nurse told me that she had driven the
horses into brenton at d gallop. Not
knowing about the two roads, she had
naturally enough followed the straight
one, and 50 for fourteen miles had
driven alone through the forest, witt
me lying UNCONSCIOUS at her feet. The
hostler Of the only hotel that Rrentol
boasted WAS at the door, looking for tht
mail bag, when he saw Il team comini
down the forest road at a terrific pace,
woman standing in the sleigh and ply
ing the whip with all her strength. Sh'
had drawn rein before the door, and
springlng out, exclaimed
"Never mind me. See to him. an(
pointed to where l lay. They carried
HE into the house and put me to bed
while the lady fell before the fire in {
! faint, caused half by the reaction Of he
nervous power. Strange TO say, sh
was not really much the worse TOR he
terrible experience; but I had wake(
up in fever, and for three weeks ha(
been out of my mind.
"Nhere ID the lady now2,' | asked
but added "Of course, she has gone
| would like to have seen her"
The nurse stepped aside without re
plying. | looked up for some explana
ton when my eyes rested upon the fac
of Katie Macdonald.
"Katie T. was all I could say.
"Aleck p she replied and took my
outstretched hand in hers.
"katle,' | asked after u moment Q
happiness too deep for words, "is
possible that you were my companlo