Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-07-12

of into a CONFUSION. Edith. wide eyed.
frightened and pale, found herself alone
in the woods with apparently a dying
woman. She was young and strong and
the old lady was light. She seemed
wasted by fasting or sickness or perhaps
both. Edith must try TO get her ont Of
the thicLet TO the top of the lane, where
she could call for aid. She dashed more
water from the brook in the poor Great
ure's face, but it did no good. She
chafed her hands, but her teeth were
clipched. and her whole form was quite
stiff and rigid. The girl doubted if a
spark of life was left in the old frame.
She took her in her arms and half drag
Red. half carried her over the rouSh
bushes and brambles till she reached a
more open path that led 10 the top Of
the lane. She managed 10 struggle for
ward with her burden to the foot Of a
large oak tree, where a bed of moss
grew thick and soft about the roots.
Here she put down the old woman's in
sensible form, and with her handkerchief
wiped away a little foam that oozed
from her lips. She folded the little
shawl she had picked up from the ground
and placed il under her head. She seemed
quite dead. but by applying her hand 10
the left side she still felt a faint pulsa-
ton Of the heart.
Edith's whole body was trembling
from fright and exertion. Her legs felt
too weak to give her support, and she
stumbled along, painting breathlessly,
AL -. -ua,haH Nka lau-ar wurN ~ the
lane, within sound Of the laughter and
shouts Of the players on the tennis court
over the wall. She took of her hat and
waved it, but they did not see her. She
cried out family, but her voice seemed
mufled and lost in her throat.
"Oh, come, comet Help! There is a
woman dying up in the woodsl Come
quick, or il will be too later
Young Harold Ashley had just sent
his ball out Of bounds, and was search
ing for it near the low boundary wall
when he saw this apparition Of a young
girl, her face pale as ashes, with great,
wide, frightened eyes and parted lips,
her hair, which the tree boughs had torn
loose from its fastenings as she passed
under them with the insensible woman
in her arms, floating in a dark cloud
down her back Harry leaped owe the
wall, crying 10 the fellows who were at
play 10 follow him, and his sister came
running after them, leaving the young
invalid lady alone on the reclining chair,
for even the big dog had scampered of
at the heels Of his master.
Now that help was at hand Edith sud
denly felt strength flow back into her
trembling limbs and courage come into
her heart. She set of with Harry Ash.
ley In advance Of the others after she had
given him an inkling Of the situation.
Il don't know who she is; / am q
stranger in Lirtle6eld. found her neal
the brook. lying under a great pine tree
She was then in commissions, but mad,
me understand she had been poisoned by
eating toadstoOls."
They found the old woman just wher'
Edith had left her under the oak, still
unconscious, and looking the image o.
death. Miss Ashley bent over the thir
worn old frame with plying tenderness
Il do believe, Harry, said she, lit is ole
Celestina Rivers. She always has beeI
queer and poetical, and a little wrong,
fear, in the head. She must have strayeS
of in the woods and perhaps lost he
way
Two Of the young men had made
support with their arms to carry the sicl
woman down TO the Ashley house, Will
a third set off On a run for the doctor.
Edith, who had now twisted up he
vagrant locks and put on her hat, pro
posed to 90 and look for the old lady
belongings she had been forced 20 leav
by the brook, and Harry Ashley and hi
sister followed her through the thicket
ut was awfully plucky Of you" sal
Harry, giving the young girl beside hin
an open look Of admiration, Ito bring tn
old lady out Of the woods"
"She is very light" responded Edith
"and | am young and strong. l shout
not have felt her weight on open ground
81 remember all about old Celestin
Rivers now" said Fanny Ashley. she
q clergyman's daughter and IN of
good family, bat has lived alone man
years know the LADIES Of the beneS
olent society tried TO get her to enter tn
Old Ladies' home. but she is very ques
and obstinate. | remember hearing be
called the literary Miss Rivers when
was a little girl She wrote a grea
many verses TO the moon and starr, br
1 don't suppose people ever cared 70 bu
herpoetry.'
Edith's face flushed slightly. Itseeme
she had helped q rescue a literary aste'
and Instantly she thought Of her 0w
old age, and seemed 70 see herself
creature Of vain dreamA living aloT
with her cat like poor old Celesini
They had come to the pine tree by Il
brook, and Edith picked mp the MS. vo
ume with a kind Of lingering tende
ness. She meant 20 keep possession
it, and restore the precious relic tot
owner IL she should COW without q
lowing profane eyes TO scan poor o.
Celestina's verses.
.Hellor' said Harry, as he came aero
the luncheon basket and picked 1t u
"Here are two soda crackers. l fear Il
old lady must have eaten the toadstoo