The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-01-12
extended fingers, and side by side the
two horses were urged across the

L
that Joe led both horses to the
stable and put them up.
Half an hour later Joe, arrayed in
Judge Blacks dressing gown and slip
pers, articles brought by Miss Helen
from the East, was explaining to the
rosy, demure young mistress of the
house that her father had been sud
denly called to the next town, and
might not return before early morn
ing He asked me to keep sort of
lookout over the place, and when I
rode over to ask you to invite me to
tea and found you gone, ! FASTENED
after YOU" -,
This speech over, an embarrassed
silence followed. It was broken by
Joe, who looked straight at his
hostess and said: -
If am intruding, Miss Nellie, why,
just give the word and I'll co."
Helen assured him in g. constrained
sort ofway that she was glad of his
company, and went out to prepare
the little supper herself, for in those
Gays, as now, servants were rare and
inefficient in the West.
After supper, in an awkward pause
OF the conversation, Joe took up
little case from the table and began
examining it's contents-a bright, new
pair OF handouts.
They were a new kind, just from the
East, and Helen began explaining the
spring lock which opened with
skeleton key. ~. n
Somehow one of the bands was on
Joe,s wrist, as she slipped the bright
clrclet over her firm white hand, when
10, the lock snapped, and they were
locked together.
Helen blushed crimson and COM
me9ced searching for the key in ner-
vous haste.
But no key was to be found. Sud-
denly the truth dawned upon her.
The key was in her fathers pocket.
and ne was On the other side Of Crow
creek, which was now a foaming tor
rent and dangerous to cross in the
storm and darkness.
She tried to smile and treat the mat
ter lightly, but it was just the ghost of
smile, and it was q very doleful voice
that said: II am afraid, Mr.. Gordon,
that we must break the lock. Faith
er has the key"
Joe felt tempted to indulge in a
hearty laugh over their queer situa-
ton, but g. glance at the distressed
face across the table sobered his
mlrth. A great throb of sorrow came
over him. IF she loved him she would
not care so much. -:
He gazed at the shiningfetter on her
wrists so long and so earnestly that;
Helen lifted her eyes wondering Fly but
dropped them again.
What woman ever failed to read the
story that she saw in the honest blue
depth other humble younggiant'sey eyes.
Her confusion encouraged Joe, but
there was almost a tremor in his voice
as halaid his great brown hand over
ner tettered one and said softly: "Nell,
II you only. loved me would believe
that it was fate that bound us to-
gether.: | would take it as an omen
that fate would grant me my dearest:
wish. But, Nellie, dare not hope"
The girl looked up slowly into1her
lovers eyes, looked steadily, though
she still saw that look in them:
"Joe," she said, lit is fate. -
The cool and cultured Mr.. Russell
| would have m,arvelled had no seen
"that queenly grip sobbing for very
Joy on Joe Gordon's shoulder, and,
perhaps, hewould have marvelled still
more had he known that at that mo-
ment the thought of him and his mill
ions did not once enter her mind.
When the Judge returned, in the
gray of the morning, he found an IN
teresting picture.
The lamp still burned in the corner,
and the fire was smouldering away.
On the broad lounge by the fireplace
sat Helen and her lover. She had
fallen asleep from sheer WEAKNESS and
Joe sat like statue lest>he might dis
turb the fair sleeper whose cheek was
so near his own.
| The old gentleman's face was a
study. When the truth dawned upon
him he flung himself into the nearest
chair and laughed until he walked the
echoes-hkewise Miss Helen.
She was at first bewildered by her
novel position, but soon remembered
the true situation and relapsed into
silence, leaving Joe to tell the story.
"And now, Judge" concluded he
"you may loose these letters with the
understanding that they will soon be
| replaced by more enduring ones.
must not let my prisoner escape
| Helen's father had always like6
young Gordon, and his blessing was
Forthcoming. '2
! The announcement of the approach
ing nuptials gave Mr.. Russell a. con
elusive answer, and he settled up hi.
affairs in short order and returned
East *,=
The old Judge used to tell will
great gusto how Gordon Won his per
verse daughter and how gracefully sh,
wore her letters after she was won,-
Atlanta Constitution. :.
mot at Home,'' r.,
The absurdities of some pharses O
, fashionable life receiva verv fron,,on