The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-06-01

thralled her-such poor, frail, little thing
alone in the gloomy wood But was she
alonef o God, into what evil had she rush
edf For as she turned a bend that led
through veritable thicket from either
side burly form sprang out and seized her
Then Winnie screamed-she who had
ever ridiculed such Weakness thrilling
piercing cry that asserted its potency. For
oh, there was an answering shout-such a
brave, manly huzza-the dash of rapid
feet, fierce thrust, violent fall, stall
wart blow, and some one grasped her hand.
"Can you rum" asked this some one.
Eyes, yesw gasped the girl
"Come on, then, for your lifep' And
down the road fled the intellectual Miss
Driscoll clinging with the grip Of terror
to strange man.
All, but be could run, could this I'M
knownl Even his great assisting strength,
even the impulse OF the avengers behind,
could scarce give equality 10 Winnie's feet
And yet she had been so reliant on her
physical training All, but she had never
been prepared against the tremors OF such
an emergency. She had never dreamed
that such depravity could exist, much less
dare to maintain its mysterious horrors.
Never again would she boast OF her indie
pendence II this masculine strength
would only suffice to drag her into safety,
well content would she be 10 cling to it for
the remainder OF her life. Her heart swell
ed within her throat. Her limbs shook
and faltered. Connected thoughts desert
ed her. She was merely conscious OF fight
ing through the darkness against the clog
of her own weakness. On, on she dragged
and was dragged, up hills and over plains,
ua.f 10 - tf.hf
Her comrade gave an exultant shout and
raised her in his arms as she staggered.
Then on and on IN final burst until he
bore her fainting iato the hotel. II was
the following day when Winnie regained
her identity. A motherly looking woman
stood by her bedside, assuring her of her
safety and of her speedy recovery from ex-
ertion and fright. And indeed the girls
strong vitality asserted itself and in Sc
curity she shook Off the effects OF her adj
venture as ono rejects the remem brance
OF nightmare. One particular, however,
she cherished and that tenderly.
but That young man who aided me?"
she asked. "Where is hes"
Him is itf' replied the landlady. "a
proper young gentleman, to be sure, so
anxious and so liberal. He had the whole
house aroused in your service But when
the physician said you would be all right
after sleep, why, he rode away TO the
county seat, where, IL seems, he had inn
portant business"
"But his namefn Winnie faltered.
Lord love you, mise, he didn't leave
no name He was that hurried, and we
was that Illustrated, and him so ready and
free with his moneyr'
Winnie sighed and grew thoughtful, but
her thoughts were not of her book
"You had this ERE clinched in your lit
tie hand, " continued the matron, produc-
ing an antique intaglio ring Winnie
blushed as she furtively but vainly exam
ined 1t In search of an inscription. Then
she placed it on her finger and with femi-
nine craft soon had the worthy woman en-
crossed in personal "reminiscences.
IL was month later that throughout
her guardians home there was a pleasure
BILE excitement, which seemed silly to Win
ME. The idea of such fuss being made
over the entertainment of an old woman
and her son at dinner They were not even
strangers either, for Mrs. Neames was the
widow Of her guardians former partner
and still retained share in the business,
and Ambrose, the son-what ridiculous
name, reminding one of hair oil was his
confidential clerk. True, as little Miss
Grantley explained, "Papa had high re
spect for the lady on account of her I'M
common strength OF character and an
equal esteem for the young man for his
fidelityand truth" But what of thati All
women were respectable, and all only sons
amiable, but of this particular couple
Winnie was quite prepared to ignore the
one and to despise the other.
Indeed since her arrival Miss Driscoll s
good friends had been perturbed by GER
tain petulance and perversity quite for
eign to her past. She was irritable, yet
apathetic. Her appetite was fitful, her
industry eccentric. There was dust on
her philosophical tones, while under her
pillow the maid found volume of poetry.
"Can she be in loveS" asked Mrs. Grant
ley, recalling her own maidenhood
"Why, mamma" replied the daughter,
''how absurdl She hates men and never
ceases from ridiculing them"
Winnie descended to meet the guests
with an air more beftting dismissal than
welcome. She found stately and
weighty dame, with colorless, almost livid
complexion and aggressively rolled white
hair, and demure young man. brown OF
hair and eyes and mustache.
With the mental comments "virago'
and "ninny" she gave herself over to hos
pitable cares. Her companion at dinner
doubtless thought her taciturn, but then
his mother furnished ready excuse. The
old lady was discursive and on n subject
too, which might have proved embarrass
ing to more resolute appearing young
man, but Ambrose merely smiled affably
She discoursed on the tantrums of hi:
childhood, the misdemeanors OF his youth
and the failings OF his maturity and ascrib
ed great credit to her watchfulness that
he was no worse than he was.
al keep the reins pretty tight yet" con
tinued Mrs. Neames. "No night key, ne
cigars or cards-a strict reckoning Of ev
cry cent expended"
But we all lean ON Ambrose In the Of
flee" ventured Mr. Grantley
81 know. We talk business over every
night, and tell him what to dc"
Winnie studied the young man beneath
her glasses. Was he not ashamed wher
even she, stranger, could blush for him
Apparently not at all. He seemed to glory
n his subsection. now and again agree
ing. "Yes, mother. | don't know how
could get along without your advice, " an,
all the while doing ample justice to tn,
viands. What insensibilityi What igno
rance Of the rights aud privileges Of glori
Gus manhood Alas, there were no longe
any men. or II there were they came an,