Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-12-06


threw large cloak Of her own about
her shoulders. She did not wait to ask
how he happened to come for her She
forgot that he was angry and that she
had hurt him. She reached out her
hrm, white hand and caught Joe's ex-
tended fingers, and side by side The two
horses were urged across the bridge.
| They galloped home in silence, and
when they reached there and Helen
stepped into the friendly shelter Of the
broad veranda, she noted the fact that
Joe led both horses to the stable and
put them up
Half an hour later, Joe, arrayed in
Sheriff 3ack's dressing gown and slip
pers (artices brought by Miss Helen
from the East was explaining to the
rosy, demure young mistress of tho
house that her father had been sudden
ly called to the next town, and might
not return before early morning. "He
asked me to keep sort Of lookout
over the place, and when rode over to
ask you to invite me to take tea and
found you gone, FASTENED after you.
This speech over, an embarrassed
silence followed 1t was broken by
Joe, who looked straight at his hostess
and said
eff am intruding, Miss Nellie, why
give the word and I'll GO"
Helen assured him, in constrained
sort of way, that she was glad of COM
pany, and went to prepare the little
supper herself. for in those days, as now,
servants were rare and inefficient in tho
West.
After supper in an awkward pause Of
the conversation, Joe took up little
case from the table aud began examin-
ing its contcnts-a bright new pair Of
handouts.
Thoy were of new kind just from
the East, and Helen began explaining
the spring lock, which opened with
skeleton key.
Somehow one of the bands was on
Joe's wrist as she slipped the other
bright circlet over her firm, white hand,
when 10 the lock snapped and they
were locked together.
Helen blushed crimson and COM
menccd searching for the key in nerv-
Gus haste.
But no key was to be found. Sudden
ly the truth dawned upon her. The
key was in her fathers pocket, aud 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 mat
tor lightly, but it was just the ghost of
smile, and it was very doleful voice
that said 81 am afraid, Mr.. Gordon,
that we must break the lock. Father
has tho key"
Joe felt tempted to indulge in a
hearty laugh over their queer situation,
but glance at the distressed face across
the table sobercd his mirth A great
throb of sorrow came over him. II she
loved him she would not care 40 much.
Ho guzed at the shining fetter on her
wrist 30 long and 80 earnestly that Helen
lifted her eyes wonderingly, 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 n tremor in his voice
as he laid his great brown hand over
her fcttcred one and said softly "Nol-
lie, if you only loved me would be-
lieve it was fate that bound us together
| would take it 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" she
said. 1T is fate"
The cool aud cultured Mr.. Russell
would have marvced had he seen chat
queenly girl' sobbng for very joy on
Joe Gordon's shoulder, aud perhaps he
would have marvcled still more had he
known that at that moment tho thought
of him and bis millions did not once
enter her mind.
When the sheriff returned 10 the gray
of the morning be found an interesting
picture.
The lamp still burned in tho corner
and the fro was still smouldcring away.
On the board lounge by the fireplace sat
Helen and bor lover She had fallen
asleep from sheer WEAKNESS and Joe sat
like u statue lest he might disturb tho
fair sleeper whose check was 80 near his
own. =
The old gentleman's face was study.
When tho truth dawned upon him he
flung himself into the nearest chair and
laughed until he awoke the echoes
likewise 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, sheriff." 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 liked young
Gordon, and his blessings was forth
coming.
The announcement Of the approach
ing Duptials gave Mr.. Russell con-
elusive answer, and he settled up his
affairs in short order and returned East.
The old Sheriff used to tell with great
gusto how Gordon won bis perVerse
daughter aud how gracefully she wore
her letters after she was won.
James," said the good wife, severe
ly, were you intoxicated when you
came home Sunday night?'
HNo I was not Maria I had NOT