The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-08-07

| piuckeu May apple oiosSOiis ana EN-
joyed the cool dampness which tn,
river exhaled, the driver slept. III,
awoke often i'm q melancholy mood
but they did not notice it; and eact
time when he threw off his slumber,
he resorted to the jug which had some.
how been left behind by the men in
the wagon.
Later in the afternoon the driver
whose depression had increased since
the sun sank, hitched up his horses
and the carriage began the ascent o
the long hill. The jug was left among
the May apple blossoms. 1t was empty,
Halfway up the hill a wheel dropped
into deep gutter and the carriage
came down with lurch and crash.
1t was hopeless wreck. The driver
looked at the broken wheel with indif-
ference and the ladies were in conster-
nation.
"How far is it to town? asked Miss
Chalmers.
about eight miles, / reckon
''Oh, dear, what can We do?'
81 dunow," said the driver stupidity.
From his manner one might be justi-
fled i'm saying that he did not care.
"Well, driver" said Miss Chalmers.
emphatically, al know. You must go
to town at once for another carriage.
1t is now 3 o'clock, and you can be
back by 6 we will wait"
The driver began to unloose the
horses. He did not seem to be pressed
for time.
''You must hurry" she declared inn
patiently. "And say, driver, if you
are back by sunset you shall have So
extra"
He shook off his apathy, or seemed
to, and, mounted on one horse, led the
other rapidly away.
1t is always bad To wait. In this
case the two lonely women, oppressed
by the strange solitary Surroundings,
found the afternoon almost intermina-
BILE The Joshua of impatience seemed
to stay the sun at one spot for hours
Six O'Clock finally came ; they were ex-
pectant. Half past six they were anx-
ious. At seven they were alarmed.
The sun loitered no more, but rolled
swiftly over the opposite mountain and
drew the day with him. They were
terrified
There was no house and no human
being in sight. They remembered no
habitation on the road for miles. True,
the log church stood in the bottom be
low, but the darkest shadows had al
ready gathered there. They dared not
enter the profound obscurity which en-
veloped the valley and which crept
lik living thing up the mountain
side toward them. They clung to each
other like little children and wept.
AT sunset tall young man was rid
ing soberly along the wide road which
led to town. He stopped suddenly at
the sight of two harnessed horses graz
ing by the roadside.
''I know that team, what has hap
pened?'
There was no one to answer the ques-
ton, but he looked about and discover
ed the driver under the trees.
Here. wretch ~ he exclaimed,
"wake up; tell me what is wrong.
Wake up, wake. Where are the ladies?''
But expostulation was in vain. The
driver was lump of clay-a log. The
young man mounted his horse again
and galloped furiously back toward the
log church. He looked at each side of
the road anxiously, but he did not
slacken his pace, and the horse was
covered with foam when he reached
the broken carriage and dismounted.
al thank heaven you are safe" he
cried.
"But we are not safe; we are lost,
lost. Oh, merciful sir, pity Us" ~ ex-
claimed Mrs. Chalmers, Historically.
She thought the tall stranger was a
brigand.
.'Miss Chalmers knew better. She
recognized the young man, and a feel
ing of security, almost of happiness,
swept over her.
ssHush, mamma" she said, softly,
1--WE are perfectly safe now. This gem
tleman will protect Us he has come to
help Us"
The gentleman looked his thanks for
the confidence. 1t was dark almost,
but she could see that his eyes were
gray. She thought they were lumin-
Gus, but she was looking through her
tears.
''Are you employed at the hotel?
What happened to our driver? Is the
other carriage coming?" The mother
asked three questions in breath.
II am not employed at the hotel. /
was riding to town and found your
driver in a drunken sleep by the road
side. You will get no help from him.
/ WAS afraid there had been a serious
accident and hastened back"
Serious" asked Mrs. Chalmers in
high voice, sis it not serious? Oh,
dear, dear, what would you have?'
my uncle lives two miles down the
river" said the stranger. at is the
nearest house. You will come with me
for the night and tomorrow you can
return TO the town.
"You are very kind, said Miss Chal-
mers. We will go with you gladly"
"But two miles, protested the moth
er; .'I cannot walk two miles"
at is not necessary; you can ride
my horse. He is perfectly gentle and
l will hold the rein," said the rescuer
reassuringly and the young lady may
ride behind you, ifshe will"
"Oh, no; would much prefer to
walk. can walk two miles easily, and
the dear horse is already very tired.
Indeed, / will walk" said the young
lady decidedly.
The young man assisted the mother
into the saddle The daughter clung
lightly to his arm and the lite process
sion moved slowly down the long hill
and into the starless depths of the bot
tom. They travelled carefully, for Mrs.
Chalmers was not good horse-woman-
1t was an hour before they reached the