Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-04-07

| AAltl dDoi1lndDle noise tnlS instant! Inc
gentleman is going to drive all the SHEEP
away"
With perfect gravity. but his eyes full
of laughter, Nesbit Thorne fourished his
cane and advanced on the flock menac
ingly. The animals backed slowly. Twill
that dor he called, when he had driven
them about a hundred yards.
"A little farther, please" she answer
ed. mo, great deal farther; quite tc
the end of the field He won't move
YETI Her voice quivered with suppress
ed mirth.
Feeling like Little Boy Blue" recalled
to sense of duty, Thorne pursued the
sheep remorselessly; the poor beasts, con
WINGED at last that disappointment was
to be their portion, trotted before him
rneekly, giving vent to their feelings in
occasional bleats of reproach.
Meanwhile. Pocahontas lifted Sawney
forcibly to his feet, and led him across
to the opposite fence, over which she
helped him to climb, being determined
that no more scenes should be inflicted
on her that morning. When she had put
barrier between him and danger, she or
dered him to sit down and calm his shat
tered nerves aud recover his behavior.
She remained within the field herself,
leaning against the fence and awaiting
the gentleman's return, that she might
thank him.
BY the time he rejoined her, Nesbit
Thorne had decided that his new ac-
quaintance was "A very handsome and
unusually attractive woman. The adj
venture amused him, and he had mind
to pursue it further. AS ne approached
he removed his hat courteously, with a
pleasant, half jocular remark about tine
demoralized condition Of her escort, and
"A word indicative of his surprise at find
ing country child of any color afraid
of animals.
Yes; it is unusual she assented,
smiling ON him with her handsome gray
eyes. Il can't account for his terror. for
I'm sure no animal has ever harmed him
If he were older I'd accuse him of trying
to earn Il cheap notonety, but he's al
most too little to pretend. He's trou
blesome monkey, and if I'd noticed he
was following me I'd have forbidden
him. I'm much indebted for your kindly
service; without your assistance Sawney
would have sat there screaming until
they organized an expedition at home to
cruise in search of us or the sheep had
retired of their own accord"
mot as bad as that, guess" he re-
turned, extending his hand to aid her i'll
mounting the fence, noticing that the
one she gave him was delicate and shape
ly, and that the foot, of which he caught
a glimpse, was pretty and well arched
He would gladly have detained her talk
ing in the pleasant sunshine, or even
as time was no object and all ways alike
have liked TO saunter on beside her,
but there was no installing the quiet
decision of her manner as she repeated
her thanks and babe him good morning.
''Who the dickens was she!' he won
dered idly as he leaned ON the fence in
his turn and watched the graceful figure
in the distance. She
walked we'll he noticed, without any Of
the ugly tricks Of gait 50 many women
have firm and upright, with head finely
poised and every movement curve,
Her look and voice harmonized with her
carriage; she pleased his artistic sense, !
and lac lowered his lids little rs he
watched her as one focuses a fine pic
ture or statue,
The aesthetic side of Thornes nature !
was cultured to the extreme OF fastidi-
business; ugly, repulsive. even disagree
able things repealed him more than they
DO most men, He disliked intensely |
anything that grated, anything that was
If taste is morality
Thorne had claims to be considered as
having attained an unusual develop
ment. His taste ruled him in most |
things, unless. indeed. his passions were
aroused or his will thwarted, in which
case he could present irregularities of
character in marked contrast to the
Of his ordinary demeanor.
Women amused him. as a rule, more
thap they interested him. He constant
~ sought among them that which, as
yet, he had never found-that which he
was beginning to think he never should
find. originality combined with unselfish-
ness.
Even in that brief interview Pocahon-
tas had touched chord in his nature
no woman had ever touched before; il
family. but enough to
arrest Thorne's attention for an instant,
md to cause him to bend his ear and
listen. In some subtle way difference
was established between her and all
,ther women. Her ready acceptance of
lis aid. her absolute lack of self con-
'ciousness, even her calmly courteous
dismissal of him piqued Thorne's curl
,sity aud interest. He reflected that in
III probability he would meet her soon
lgain. and the idea pleased him.
As he selected cigar the grotesque
ide of the adventure touched him; he
miled, and the smile broadened into a
augh as he recalled his own part in the
performance. What would Norma have
aid ,ou11 cha have haha1d hin, l.aa5i,,.y |