Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-03-05
yHE SLEIGH ride.

Bessie has had foolish quarrel, and so
refuses Jack Harvey's invitation TO the
sleigh ride, but accepts Guy Harrington's
instead, though he knows the latter's rep
utation as male coquette.
The driver has sprained his wrist, and
In "A spirit of foolish bravado Harrington
has undertaken TO guide the six horses.
All are laughing at some joke when, as
they sweep under another group Of treach-
erous pines, a gust OF wind comes whirl-
ing along and shakes the weight OF snow
from the heavily loaded branches over
head. Down II comes in glistening sheets,
directly on the backs Of the leaders, and
as they rear and plunge the whole six
take fright and become unmanageable in
such inexperienced hands as Harrington's.
On and on, now In the road. now out
OF IL, the great barge swerves from side 10
side, and the girls sit with white faces
and compressed lips, while the boys real
ize only too well the danger.
Jack Harvey, seeing that Harrington
has lost all control Of the animals, springs
to the seat TO grasp the reins from his
hands, when, crashi they go into great
drift, upsetting the barge and throwing
the wheelers.
Jack is on his feet In an instant, and
wallowing through the snow waist deep
he reaches the leaders and holds them by
sheer strength OF muscle, thus saving the
lives OF perhaps half the party, while Har-
rington, who dropped the reins and jump
ed rs they struck the drift, sits with chat
tering teeth on the top Of a stump that
shows Just above the weary waste OF snow.
"All hands to help these horses up"
shouts Bert Varney, and snow covered
forms hasten at the bidding. But Har-
rington clings TO his stump.
The wounded driver takes Jacks place,
holding the leaders with his one good
hand, while Jack assists In tightening the
outfit.
But what OF the feminine portion of the
party all this timer All have escaped with
a snow bath and few scratches and
bruises-all except poor Bessie, who lies
unconscious In the snow, with a tiny red
stream trickling from a wound on the
white forehead.
"Jack, Jackp' The startled cry Is from
Kittie. "Oh, Jack, come quicki Bessie
Is hurtl"
Jack flies 10 the spot and Is nearly fran
tic az he looks at the still white face and
closed eyelids, the long, dark lashes sweep
Ing the fair cheeks.
onei oh, for drop OF waterp
Harrington here comes TO life sufficient
ly to produce a small flask Of brandy,
which Jack accepts gladly, though he
knows the owner would have been the
worse for II before they reached home that
night had no accident occurred.
He pours few drops between Bessie's
lips and soon has the satisfaction Of see
ing the long lashes tremble a moment,
then lift, and pair of frightened brown
eyes look into his.
"Jack-dear Jack I" she murmurs soft
ly, then drifts again into unconsoi BUSINESS.
But she soon revives, and as she real
izes that her head Is resting on Jacks arm
she makes an effort to rise. He lifts her
quickly TO her feet.
"What has happened" she asks as she
sees the anxious faces all about her, but
before any one has time to reply she re-
members, and with a movement OF her
hand toward her wounded forehead asks
IL any one else is hurt.
Though her wound Is a slight one, they
all conclude they had better turn toward
home, as the horses are very uneasy and
ready TO take fright on the least occasion.
Harrington, to every ones relief, de
clines to drive again, and Jack takes his
the six we'll In hand, and all reaSize that
the reins are in safe keeping this time.
Bessie sits between Bert and Kittie Var
ney, with Kittie's arm pressed tightly
about her, and though the others gradu
ally regain their spirits rs the musical
bells ring out on the night ayr she sits
silent, having plenty of food for reflection
At last they reach town, and Jack drives
first to Bessie's home, for which she Is
very grateful, as this rids her of Harring-
ton. Bert and Kittie 90 in with her that
they may quiet her mothers fears.
After they are all gone, Bessie sits for
a long time gazing into the glowing CRATE,
thinking of the events OF the last few days,
and with sinking heart, wondering IL
Jack will ever forgive her folly. She final
ly goes TO bed TO dream Of monster snow
drifts and tall, dark pines, with Jack,
stern and unforgiving, standing among
them.
When morning comes, Bessie rises as
usual and goes about her task, though her
head feels strange and heavy. As she sits
by the window reading the morning paper
to her mother, she sees manly form come
striding down the street, and her heart
gives great bound a. she hears loud
peal at the bell, and Jack is ushered into
the parlor beyond.
A moment to compose herself, and she
goes TO him, knowing directly he takes
her hand in his, and his eyes meet hers
with only love and anxious inquiry in
them, that she IL forgiven, and-well, If
you hear the musical sound OF bells ere
long you may know they are wedding
bells.-New York Journal.