Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-03-22

scrambled to their feet; while Tom him
self was thrown directly at my feet, as
IL in direct answer to my prayer. But
he did not stir; his face was pale as
death, and his eyes closed.
In that moment all my petty jealousy
vanished and threw my arms about
him trying to lift him from the ground.
He was like log, and | believed him
dead. Then l tainted again. When
returned to consciousness once more,
the storm had passed, leaving the skies
as blue as ever; but desolation was on
every side. Tom was bending over me,
his face full of love and grief and anx-
iety. He had been stunned and bruised,
but not severely hurt.
need not undertake to tell you our
conversation. l remember it perfectly,
but it is sacred to both of us, even now,
old and staid people as we are. But
when we finally were ready to olsen
tangle ourselves from the debris in the
ravine, Tom and l stood nearer to each
others heart than ever before. Nearer
because of our terrible proximity to
death, and because of my foolish and
unwarrantable behavior had well-nigh
separated us forever.
The horses were unhurt, though una
BILE to extricate themselves, and it was
some time before Tom could repair the
wagon so that we could go on. 1t had
been blown up againsta tree and broken;
but Tom followed the good old fashion
of those days, of carrying plenty of stout
string in his pockets, and so he was able
to mend up the broken places where it
was necessary. Me he actually carried
up the ravine where he could place me
in the wagon; my ankle had swollen
frightfully, and panied me exceedingly,
besides.
Now" he said, getting into the wag-
on himself, 1--WE must hurry. I've got
to meet Teenie, though the heavens
fall:' and he gave me a comical glance.
He hadn't explained who "Teenie" was,
nor did / care to ask. After the expert
ences of the last twenty minutes, my
jealousy looked to me inexpressibly
contemplate. "We meant it for sur
prise to you, dear" Tom said, present
ly, "but perhaps I'd better tell you. You
don't guess who 'Teenie' is, foolish lit
tie grip"
shook my head. tom, don't care!
] trust you now, utterly!"
"Then l must tell you that it was the
old pet name by which l called Ade-
laide Sanderson. 1 hadn't thought of
it for years, before, nor, do | suppose,
had she; but she resurrected the name
for the occasion. She is coming, for a
two months stay, and was especially
~ ln +o1l
she wanted to surprise you. l guess she
has. Anyway, you surprised mel"
Don't, Tom," 1 sobbed. Tom drew
me closer.
"Under the circumstances, / didn't
want to let it go so; but she was very
strenuous, and Adelaide is so intense
that / had to let her have her way.
When l read your note, / could have
killed myself for allowing it. Forgive
me, JOSIE" and Toms voice grew very
tender.
"Forgive you9 Oh, Toni" sobbed.
"when l was so dreadful"
"There, there!' he said, soothingly.
Lets call it square. Besides, we're al
most there; and l can't drive up to the
station with your eyes in that condition.
I'm afraid Adelaide will think it wasn't
much of a success--her surprise"
l wiped up as well as could, although
fear Adelaide received rather fearful
welcome, after all.
Adelaide Sanderson was Toms
cousin, and had always taken the place
of the sister he never had. 1 don't know
what / should have done without
"Teenie," as we began calling her again;
for my baby was born the next morning,
and my own life hung in the balance a
long time after.
That was our only quarrcl-if may call
it so. And, as Tom says: 1.-THE very idea
of our getting along separately is enough
to bring on cyclone!"-Helen NJ.
Winslow in Demorest's Monthly