Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-12-18

mind to know that by dint of rubbing
and rolling and stimulant she had
been brought to and had recovered. l
also learned that the man who cared for
us had seen Julia fall and had rescued
her. When | saw him running along
the planks it was to his boat chained to
the end
That summer my father removed with
his family to the Pacific coast. He was
obliged to wait some time for my recov-
cry but at last | was able to travel, and
left without again seeing the little girl
whom I had led into danger. l only
heard that l had been blamed by every
one.
Ten years passed, during which I was
constantly haunted by one idea; that
was to go back to New England, find
Julia and implore her forgiveness. The
years that l must be boy and depend
ent seemed interminable. At last
came of age and received a small fortune
that had fallen to me, and as soon as the
papers in the case were duly signed and
sealed | started east.
1t was just about the same time Of the
year and the same hour of the afternoon
as when | first saw Julia that | walked
into the old school grounds, | had fully
intended to go in next door and call for
her, but my courage failed me. l had
heard nothing of her for years. Was she
dead? Was she living? Was she in her
old home, or far away? These thoughts
chased each other through my mind and
l dreaded to know.
| was standing at the school entrance
with my hand on the bell when | heard
a door in the next house open and then
shut. From that moment I could feel
that Julia was near me. She came out
of the house a slender, graceful girl of
nineteen, and picking up croquet NAL
let commenced to knock the balls about
l wanted to make myself known, but
dreaded the horror with which she would
regard me when she should know who
was
81 beg pardon" 1 said, raising my hat,
''can you tell me if the school is still
there?' pointing to the house.
1T was moved some years ago." she
replied, regarding me with the old hon
est gaze.
Il was one of the scholars"
"Indeed!' She spoke without any
further encouragement for me to go on.
81 see the wood has not been cut
away" l added, glancing toward it.
'NO, it does not seem to be-"
"Were you ever there?"
''Oh, yes, often"
"And is that old dam still across the
river"
81 believe it is"
"Were you ever on the damn"
She looked at me curiously. went
on without waiting for a reply:
"Would you mind showing me the
way to it? 1t is long while since was
there"
She drew herself up with a slight
hauteur. Then thinking that perhaps l
was unaccustomed to the conventional
ways of civilized life, she said pleas
antly:
"You have only to walk through the
wood straight back of the house and you
will come to it"
THANK you," replied, ''but hoped
you would show me the way"
She looked puzzled.
"Miss Julia" | said, altering my tone,
81 once met you when l was a boy here
at school,"
Il knew number of the scholars"
she said, more interested; "who may
you be?'
l dreaded to tell her IF you will
pilot me to the dam" l said, 81 will in
form you"
She thought a moment, then turned
and looked out at the wood With the
quick motion with which she had made
the same move as a child she started for
ward.
We walked side by side to the wood,
through it and out on the river bank.
There was the water and the dam;
everything as it had been.
did you ever try to walk out there"
asked
'Once, when l was a child, 1 came
here with boy, and we walked to where
the water pours over. I met with an
accident. fell in"
"The boy overpersuaded you, 1 sup
pose?"
1t was difficult for me to conceal a GER
tain trepidation at the mention of my
fault.
"No, went of my own accord"
He certainly must have been to
blame. He was older and stronger than
you"
ION the contrary" she said, with a
slight rising irritation, she jumped after
me like the noble little fellow that he
was"
turned away on pretense of examin-
ing boat down the river.
'At any rate he must have begged
your forgiveness on his Bonded knees
for permitting you to go into such a
danger"
Il never saw him again. He went
away"
fancied-at least 1 hoped could
detect tinge of sadness in her voice.
81 have often wished" she Yent IN.