The Meeker herald., 1892-10-22

Ell with every hard gust
- OF wind the doors and
E- windows ratified and
the floor and wallstrembled. Without
the ground was one vast sheet OF wa
ter, rushing and curling in its haste to
seek its level; leaves, twirs and great
punches OF moss flew through the air
MS on wings, while trees swayed from
side to side, bent down to the ground,
c. sked until they were twisted in
twain, and fell victim to the temp
est.
The wildness OF the weather was
not very soothing to Nervousness, and
Uncle Joe Bennett, whowas easily ex-
cited at any time, and during a storm
doubly SO, barred up ms windows and
began walking up and down across
the floor, increasing and decreasing
his speed according to the velocity OF
the storm. This evening was no ex-
ception to the rule, and Uncle Joe
was taking his usual exercise, while
his companion, who had twice offered
to administer something that would
quiet him, and had been refused with
the avowal that it wasn't no good to
swaller too many drugs" sat angrily
up in one corner reading while most
OF his sympathy for the old man was
overcome with amusement at his eX-
pense.
Uncle Joe thrust aside the big double
| blanket which he had tucked up for
safety at the window and peered out
| and mt the same moment there was n
| loud clap oil thunder, followed quickly
by vivid flash of lightning, which
| darted through the broken pane OF
glass and advanced lightly over the
floor. sending II chill OF fright through
| the old fellow. who put the curtain
back quickly in its place, and with di-
lated eyes, his fingers III his ears, he
gave low whistle and sought security
| in the next room.
lie threw himself down across the
bed, clapped n pillow over his head
and was beginning to doze when the
front DOOR was opened and closed
suddenly, Jumping up the old man
| looked in great astouishment ut n
young woman who was standing neal
the door. She was entirely developed
in gay patchwork quilt, from which
| there trickled down to the floor httl,
streams OF water Her face was wei
bcsprinkled with rain, her cheek:
flushed and her eyes luminous.
"If it amt Bessie Edwards you may
hang me. Bless her soul" exclaimed
Uncle Joe, going forward and takin.
the wet quilt from around her ant
! leading her to II chair. But she mad,
| no motion to sent herself.
81 haven't n moment to stay, tncl'
joe" said the young girl hurriedly
~ only ran in to borrow your oil
cloth coat till morning. This quilt il
so soaked with rain that its waieht
| interferes with my waikihg nnd hav'
yet n good distance to 90. ! am oil
my way for the doctor, and when Nv,
seen him must 90 back again to Mrs
Bell. She is very low, and | fear to
find her dead on my return. | hatct
to leave her, but since there was NJ
one else anywhere to call on | had t.
go"
Uncle Joe trotted into the next room
and returned Immediately with thu
coat. He helped her put it on, ate
which he pressed down on her head al
old hat OF his that came well dow
over her ears and partly over he
face. The old fellow smiled. ant
bessie, catchinga glimpse oil herself il
the little mirror on the wall, burs
out laughing. Uncle Joe's companion
who had been sitting so quietly up il
the corner. now came forward, and
extending his hand to the young won
an, said with smile:
at isn't necessary for you to %
any further looking for the doctor,
am he. Miss Edwards, at your ser
vice"
well, WE'LL" said uncle Joe. "a wa!
so tooken up with this dear child
forgot DIR. Harris was within tort,
! mile. Beg your pardon, Doctor
But the doctor heard not word o
| the old mans speech. He was lookiu
down Mt the plucky girl beside him anC
waiting for him to speak. She wa
looking at him and admiring him. Sh
wished she was attired more becoming
ly, but there was no time Tor vain
| wishing. 30 sne salu:
.'Dr. Harris, Mrs Bell needs you
services sorely. Please lose no time il
attempting ut least to allay her suffer
ing. will follow you"
"Can get there by riding, or is tn
road blocked by fallen timber?"
"You can ride much better thai
you can walk" said Bessie, "thougl
your path will be zigzag, unless boil
horses and rider are number on
jumpers. Trees are strewn every
| where"
Uncle Joe opened the door an'
stood looking, first at the sky, then n
the ground, Just as the doctorrode N
to the front steps on his way into tn
road.
Miss Edwards" he called. "Hov
do you expect to get back to Mrs
Bells tonight"
"Just as came, sir. F.walked, ran
! jumped, climbed, waded and crawled
guess tried every style and manne
OF step and gait except swimming"
well, it has rained ccnsiderabl.
since you passed the rully, amilefror
here, and know positively it is g
swollen now that it will take stronge
arms than yours to swim over.
you undertake it you will be drowned
Don't think OF so dangerous an ur
dertaking, but jump up behind m
and we'll both get there safely
He said it all with such gentlenes
| OF speech and manner, and looked s
handsome and sincere that, thong
~ L.