The Meeker herald., 1893-05-06
from spring Or natural well that

from spring Or natural we'll that
was far in the interior, and had both
fallen in and were never recovered.
From that time the water of it was
enchanted, and whosoever had the
nerve to go in and drink of it would
become the possessor of rare charm
and have an enchanted life
was determined to go followed
n winding path till | arrived at the
awful place. | entered and lit the
torch. The darkness grew denser as
/ advanced. found that under foot
it was moist and slippery, so | CROPPED
my way cautiously | could hear
water dripping in the distance. and
my curiosity was aroused to find
where it went, for | saw no outlet
My way grew more and more difficult
At last | reached the charmed we'll
1t received the dripping water and
must have soaked away beneath.
had n large leaf with me, which |
formed into little cup, and dipped
up the water with trembling hand,
and drank Then peered around in
the darkness and observed that the
ceiling and every black cavity was
hung with stalactites which glinted
with reflections from my torch and
| sparkled in prismatic splendor, which
the depths of the we'll reflected. 1t
was as when the darkeued soul is il
Illuminated by the divine light. sud
| denly / heard what | thought the
| growl of Wild leaet and fed in
dismay back toward the mouth of the
cave, and screamed as ! approached
it. just as | reached the entrance
fell and swooned When | regained
consciousness a handsome young man
was upholding me and administering
brandy and water. This revived me.
and after briefly relating my daring
adventure to him, he politely offered
to escort me back to the hotel.
Il have sought an opportunity, he
said, Ito meet you for long time,
You have fascinated mo so that
have watched your movements with
out your knowing it. | live in Blu
chanan, | saw you when you ar
| rived there. ! know the wholesome
effect your presence aud manner had
on society there. A young lady OF
| your type is uu innovation in our
sleepy old town, Your mind is iorci-
oie ana clear ana you nave the cour-
age oil your conVlcuohs' Your sllght
heure ana delicate appearance male
| y"" an OBJECT OIL interest 10 All l
| know that many OF the young men of
| the town and some of tine older ones
! neglected their native swccthearts to
hut'er ABOUT you ION were pollte
W an ana encourage" none lou
siirahN from a'tehtloh- rms Is
why nave hot met you
u'i inns moment l saw you start
OUT TINS horhihg, ana .hadowea yon,
was not surprised TO see you enter
lhat dangerous cave III was IKE
your peerless SP'Ilr NO ""huer we
an seek your society we never saw
your ike lou nave Original IDEAS
ana eloPuehcc 10 express then' our
haViNe ,aules nave lew ideas oil their
! own IN company thelr huspahus
speak Tor mem vi course tneir e%-
ccsslVe prudishhe9S Hhus lauit win
you ana you are target Tor envious
rihes from many Oh them' 10 'hem
your virtues arc transformed 10 VICES
vun lM WTts h Va nIs S n9n
must ever expect this from modi-
ocrity.m
Thus he overwhelmed me with
praiso all the way bock to tho bo.
tel. We arrived there in time for
breakfast. After breakfast heard n
n commotion outside. was told to
nv horror that the major had seen
Ms RETURNING. and In a ioalous fury
had insuIted my late rescuer and
CHALLENGED him to a duel. and was
the subject of i'll Mr.. Andcrwell was
nv friends name. He. believing
that there wa. no other coursc nc
ccpted the challenge. saw that
there was no other course for
me than to prevent the duel
went ont and confronted the two
ANTAGONISTS ne tbcv were omorgino
To go tn the field of a1leged hono,. I
boId M, ma. b,pd aud soid.
..con.I,,ra,, ~ L. .l,i., ,,,,o, .
/
r.