Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-08-21

WINE she satrtAefe, SHADOW IN the
sickly sunlight fell athwart her, and a
rich, manly voice said:
Here, Oracle, drink this; YOU will
feel better
She raised her eyes and saw the hand.
some face of Rupert Arnim. the man
who had saved her life, bending above
her while he offered her a tin cup OF
steaming coffee.
You must drink it, he urged, as she
family shook her head; III am respon-
sible for your still being in this world,
and it is my duty to care for you. Sea
how you shiver; drink the coffee while
It is warm"
She took the cup with the simple
obedience of child, and drained its
contents thirstily. Immediately q
feeble tinge of color crept into her
cheeks, and some of the far-away look
forsook her eyes. Then the young man
sat down before her and took her cold
hands in his
Oracle" he said gently, lis it true
that you wanted to die ?"
For the first time since the awful ca
tastrophe two great tears crept out from
between the fringed eyelids of her
down-cast eyes and fell upon his hands.
"Do you blame me that 1 saved your
life" he asked.
NO." she faltered
"But you do not thank me?"
II cannot, for ! have nothing left to
live for!'
Nothing" he exclaimed, in panied
way; you have no family, no friends ?"
Not one in all this wide world"
"You have my mother and me!'
She heaved asdeep sigh and drew her
hands out of his clasp.
II shall only be burden to you"
she faltered; "the hand of Fate is set
against me, and I shall only bring
misfortune to all whom"
"Hush!' he interrupted. II cannot let
you talk like that you are excited and
i'll now. After you have rested, and
have known how kind my mother can
be, you will forget the misery Of the
past, whatever it may be-"
At mention of the past-that past so
bitter and CRUEL the poor child lost all
control of herself. She rose to her feet,
and turned from her protector in an at
titude of desperation
No, no, she cried, "let me 90 nv
way. You have saved my life, and /
suppose / ought to be grateful to you,
since God gave it me and ! must live it
out to the end. But from the moment
that We land, let that be the end of all
between us. l can take care of my
self"
Oracle" he said firmly, rising and
coming to her side, you must excuse
me, but / will not leave you. To
night, at least, you shall pass with nv
mother You have lost everything, and
are not fit to go out into the world
alone and penniless. Besides, if you
choose to tell my mother your story,
perhaps she can advise You how to
act"
The kindly intentioned words acted
like the lighted fuse to the waiting
powder. The girls eyes flashed, and
the pallor deepened upon her lips. She
drew back step, and faced the young
artist with the very daring of despair.
Mr.. Arnim, she said, and the sweet
voice was low and tense, " if am to
Hect your uotuSI, IL muSt De on con.
lition that no questions are to be asked
ne concerning my past. Whatever
happens, / mean to keep that secret be.
ween myself and my God"
A suspicious moisture glistened in
he fine, honest eyes as Rupert Arnim
eplied
when you know us better, / think /
on will have no fault to find with us
'r wishing to pry into the secret Of
our life. We shall respect that as we
1all respect you"
The proud words, so gently ex-
ressed, proved too much for little
racie's overweight nerves. She
ade an attempt to give the brave fell
W her hands in silent token of hei
attitude, the food-gates Of her tears
ere loosened, and she fell forward
ly, however, into his strong arms,
d it was his gentle voice that soothed
r.
It was the handsome, satanic face OF
ax Boyden, seen under such trying
and in the UNCERTAIN
flight OF the early morning, tlat had
disturbed our Little heroine