Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-04-26

a4ET
upon the mAnss faoa. siHe's limited p, ahe
oatds and STRENGTHENING mp stood still In the
gathering twilight. FIlmy spirits seemed
descending out Of the cir and grouping
under the trees, the silvered tops Of the cot
tonwoods began to grow leaden, and the
great lake Of light that filed the valley
went slowly from pale rose to cloudy amber,
while the vast fakes of gold that lay upon
the mountain heights flickered, and seemed
turning into ashes. Suddenly the man
started up with q sound Of agony, and the
girl, with q startled, half-soothing exclama-
ton, put out her hands and caught him.
Are you better now!" she asked. He
looked at her in dazed way. 81 am Trean
Hartman" she said, "could you ride to the
house If helped you to mount"
He looked round him curiously and his
eyes grew clear. Eyes, I think So" he la
bored out. Then she brought the horse
quickly and led it down depression almost
under the bank.
Now" she said, "if you can step into
the saddle from the edge I will hold your
horse steady"
Slowly and with his teeth set to keep back
the groan that came up from his heart, the
young man lowered himself into the saddle
Lean forward with your hands ON his
neck, So" SAID the girl; then grasping the
reins just back Of the bits she led the horse
ward the house. She said nothing, and the
bruised rider, reelng little from side to
side, made no sound. Thus they went up
ward through the shadows thus she brought
slowly home-was it, her king!
When she came to the road which ran
down to the village she paused and listened
but nothing could be heard save the sound
OF approaching cow-bells beating q dreamy
march across the valley, and the low roar
mountain r,1ch ,rer = ,rv1, sxn
rugged channels to the vale.
20, II father would only come!' she
murmured; then led the horse onward,
opened the gate, led him across the little
plot OF grass, on between the cottonwoods,
and up through the flower beds to the door.
Then she entered the house and came out
with chair and placed it by the horse.
"Now, if you can get downr' she said, with
strong concern in her mellow voice.
"You-are-very kind" and something
like smile filtered across his pale face and
vanished in look of pain. Then slowly,
and all but crying out with the pangs Of his
injury, he got down with her help upon the
chair, but when his feet rested upon the
ground he faltered out: "It-is-dark''-and
wavered as if he would fall She caught him
instantly, and his head dropped helplesely
upon her breast, with his quick breath COM
ing and going across her neck. She trembled
with awe and terror and q crushing sense
OF his sufferings as she held him. Yet he
was nothing to her; nothinga Are we not
all little to each other9 A few something
at the first spirittouch, and some much
when entities are crushed together and feel
each other warm! She had no thought of
right or wrong; Of convention, reserve, or
aim or end; the human in her went over
these without LOOK to serve the human in
the man.
For few moments he seemed of lead,
and she swayed with the burden, then NUT
tering thickly he lifted his head and seemed
to look at her. observation-disclosures he
murmured, II wonder how far it is to
Eagle s 1t-hurts-me-there, mother, there
-in-my-side," then his eyes cleared and he
looked at her curiously, "Oh, yes" he said
at last, MISUNDERSTANDING. lam giving YOU
great deal Of trouble. I-am-sorry," and a
glimpse OF embarrassment crept into his
look Of suffering.
"No, you are bad hurt, I'm afraid" she
said, soberly. "Can you walk few steps,
nowl"
eyes," and he drew his tagging feet
painfully across the little porch with her
help and into the shadow-darkened room.
A great homemade couch stood at. one side,
and to this she led him, and he sank down
upon it with groan. Then she passed
quickly back into the kitchen and in q
moment returned bringing lighted lamp.
His large eyes were full of pain as he
turned them about the room, and the
smoky ceiling, a huge cupboard filling one
corner, heavy handmade tables and chairs,
an old-fashioned fireplace, and bare floor
with the girl coming across it looking large
and dusky in the blooming light, made a
picture to his stunned senses not unlike a
dream. He closed his eyes, for it all
seemed to swim about him, then heavy feet
came tramping in.
CHAPTER II.