The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-23

loo ed straight at his hostess and said:
"If | am intruding, Miss Nellie, why
give the word and I'll go'
Helen a sured him, in constrained sort
OF way, that she was glad of company, and
went to prepare the little supper herself,
Tor in those days, as now, servants were
rare and inefficient in the West.
After supper in an awkward pause of the
conversation, Joe took up a little case from
the table and began examining its contents
ii bright new pair of handouts.
They were of Il new kind just from the
East, and Helen began explaining the
spring lock, which opened with skeleton
key.
Somehow one OF the hands was ON Joc's
wrist as she slipped the other bright circet
over her firm, white hand, when To-. the
lock snapped and they were locked together.
Helen blushed crims' II and commenced
searching for the key in nervous haste.
But no key was to be found. Suddenly
the truth dawned upon her. The key was
in her fathers pocket, and he was on the
other side of Crow creek, which was now a
foaming torrent and dangerous to cross in
the storm and darkness.
She tried to smile and treat the matter
lightly but it was just the ghost of smile
and it was a very doleiul voice that said:
81 am afraid Mr.. Gordon, that we must
break the lock- Father has the key"
Joe felt tempted to indulge in IA hearty
laugh over their queer situation, but
glance at the distressed face across the table
sobered his mirth. A great throb of sorrow
came over him. If she loved him she would
not care so much.
He gazcd at tho shiring rettcr on her
lifted her eyes wondc ingly, but dropped
them again
What woman ever failed to read the story
that she saw in the honest blue depth OF
her humble young giants eyes?
Her confusion encouraged Joe, but there
was almost trem0r in his voice as he laid
his great brown hand over her Fettcrcd one
and said softly: "Nrlie if You only loved
me would believe it was fate that bound
us together | would take 1t as an omen
that fate would grant me my dearest wish.
But, Nellie dare not hope
The girl looked up slowly into her lovers
eyes, looked steadily, though She still saw
the look in them. "Joe,n she said, at is
fate
The cool and cultured Mr.. Russell would
have marveled had he seen that uuecnly
gill; sobbing for very joy on Joe Gordon's
shoulder, and perhaps he would have MAJ
veled still more had he known that at that
moment the thought OF him and his
millions did not once enter her mind.
When the sheriff returned in the gray Of
the morning he found an interesting pic
ture.
The lamp still burned in the conner and
the fire was still 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 n statute
lest he might disturb the fair 81 ,rpcr whose
cheek was so near his OWE.
The old gentleman face was a study
When the truth Gawned upon him he flung
himself into the nearest chair and laughed
until he woke the echoes likewise Miss
Helen.
She was at first bewildered by her noveI
position, but remembered the true situa-
ton and reapsed into silence leaving Joe
to tell the story.
"And now. sheriff. concluded he, "you
may loose these letters with the under
standing that they will soon be replaced by
more enduring ones. | must not let my
prisoner escape
lielen's father had always liked young
Gordon, and his blessing was forthcoming
The announcement of the approaching
nuptials gave Mr.. Russell conclusive
answer and he settled up bis affairs in
short order and returned East.
The old Sheriff used to tell with great
gusto how Gordon won his pervease
daughter and how gracefully she wore her
letters after she was won.
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