The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-09-15


tones, which trcmblcd a little in spite
of all his efforts, 81 trust that you
will believe me when l say that | had
no intention of playing the caves
dropper just now. AS an earnest man
/ am sincerely glad that You have re-
ceived certain amount of pleasure
this summer from studying me as
member of an almost extinct Species
to use your own expression. L may
also add that | am fcrvently thankful
that affairs have turned out just as
they have this evening; for, as all
earnest man, | would not ask woman
like you to bear my namc-no, not if
she were to fall upon her knees before
me and confess her love-"
"You sneaking, contemplate
puppy" CALCULATED Courtney.
Before the words had fairly left his
lips the young New Yorker had
measured his full length upon the
piazza from a well directed blow from
Hines massive fist. For moment he
lay there half stunned, and then rose
slowly to his feet and sat down again.
There was passion fraught silence,
and then Hines deep voice again broke
the silence.
81 ought not to have done that, Miss
Holt" he said, "and l humbly beg
your pardon. But there are some
things which no man can bear from
another. Good night"
"Maurice," she said at last, in a
faint and very tired voice, 81 hope
you are not much hurt"
81 think he has broken my nose,"
he almost sobbed. 81 am going home
in the morning. l have had all the
acquain,ance l care for with hotel
where they keep prize fighters for
guests"
Upon the whole, perhaps it is the
wiscst thing that you could do,
Maurice" she said, thoughtfully.
Maurice Courtney went home upon
the early morning -train. A week
went by and the glorious autumn was
upon them. John Hines spent his
days in scaling every mountain peak
within radius of 20 miles, and was
seldom home until the late hours of
the night.
AS the time went OH Miss Holt found
herself thinking more and more persist
emily of the awkward New Englander,
and this feeling became at last an un-
satisfied yearning which gave her no
peace. The young lady realized that
there was more than idle curiosity at
the bottom of her fervent prayer, TO
again stand face to face with John
Hines.
One afternoon Miss Holt, after an
hours aimless wandering, found her.
self on a wooded hill which faced the
hotel, a mile or SO away. How long
she sat there she did not know, but
finding the shadows beginning TO
deepen aroand her, she started to re-
trace her steps.
While Fastening down a steep de-
cline the girls foot caught in narrow
crevice in a rock and she slipped
and fell heavily forward. Her
foot she could not release, and The
severe wrench which she had given TO
her ankle in falling, made the torture
almost unbearablc.
Then she screamed for help, but
heard no response save faint echo
from the opposite hillside. Again she
lifted her voice in frenzied cry, and
this time she heard faint and far oil
halloo, which soon proved to come
from Hines.
"Helo!" he exclaimed as he came
in sight, .'what is the matter down
thcre?"
"My foot my foo.!" she sobbed. Ii
is caught in the rocks. l think my
ankle must be broken"
81 will cut the boot. Now be
brave" and he carefully ripped the
soft kid of the boot to the sole.
"There, can you draw your foot out
now?"
ooh, mol" she moaned; "don't ask
me to do that. | cannot"
"Will you lei me, them" he asked.
eyes. Only do be careful! | am
afraid | shall cry out If you hurt me
Slowly aud carefully he extracted
the little foot. Then he lifted Marion
to an upright position beside him.
'I do not know how | can thank