Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

than ever.
che had no mother or sister to con
fide In; all her sweet thoughts were
kept to herself. Everard would lool;
older. manlIer, and he would have the
air Of foreign travel upon him. What
stories of experience he would have to
relate! Would he be disappointed to
find her the same quiet little country
Sirli No; she loved him SO, he would
he sure to love her.
She pondered next how and where
they should meet. She should go with
Ter father to New York to meet him, as
the latter proposed? She did not favo-
the suggestion.
No, she would wait for him ut home,
and she must have a new dress Of his
favorite color, and wear the pearl-and-
turquoise necklace he had always
liked, and-her diamond engagement
ring.
She was glad that her hands were SO
white and pretty-the ring looked well
upon them. Her whole figure was fair
err plumper and more matured than II
had been when he saw her last. She
was full eighteen, and not "too young
to marry" Or she might wear her best
suit and run away to Neighbor Nor
toms. Everard would find her absent
from home, and come for her.
And they would meet in the old par
Tor, which Everard had always declar-
cd delightful" or perhaps in the gar
den, If it were a fine day.
Everard's magnificent old Sligo
hound, which he had left in her fathers
care, would follow her there, and tho
purple pigeons the young man had
given her in the old days, would whirl
and coo around them.
Oh, it was so delightful that he was
coming No more letter writ
ing. though that had been sweet; but
someone to caress and cOnfide every
passing thought to-some one to cher
ISL and love her as she had never been
loved before.
The arrival Of the steamer was ex
rccted ON the fourteenth. On the thir-
tecnth there came a terrible storm az
hiverville. Hail and snow fell, and
the wind shriekeed dismally all night.
But at daybreak, John, the hired ma
was off, news of his fathers expected
death having reached him; and Joan,
the maid, had the toothache, and had
wrapped her head in her apron.
ITS a heap O pain I'm in, sure!' she
cried, and after dinner, with Mab's per-
mission, went to bed.
Evening approached, and though the
storm had ceased, and the sun was set.
ting clearly, severe cold which Cap
tain Moore had taken developed such
strong signs of pneumonia that he was
forced to declare himself on the sick
list. and sit covering over the fire.
But there's the stock to be seen to.
Mehitable-the horses and cows to be
fed. l don't think better go out if
can help it. Can't Joan do the chores
to-night-just for onceT
ooh, father, the poor thing has just
gone to sleep! She has been in such
misery with her teeth all day that she
is nearly worn out. She says she did
not sleep wink last night. will feed
the stock" said Nab.
"You-you can't! The path is full of
sect and you'd have to draw seven OF
eight pals of water"
well, IL the poor creatures are SUI
fering can. And I'll put on your big
coat and rubber boots to get over there
an. 1t won't do me a bit of harm"
The old captain made some faint OBJ
jections, but Nab Immediately began
preparations.
She soon appeared with short GRIM
son petticoat, peeping below the big,
shaggy coat, and an old brown-felt hat
crowded down over her sunny curls.
AS for her feet, they were hidden In
colossal boots Of rubber, which greatly
embarrassed her movements; but she
got slowly out to the barn after CROP
lng fashion, and rolling aside the rumD-
ling door, spoke cheerily to the patient
creatures waiting there for their usual
care.
With praiseworthy perseverance anil
considerable outlay Of her strength.
she drew all the water required and
pitched down the hay.
When the animals all had their sup
pers before them, she drew a long sigh
of satisfaction, and, feeling specially
indulgent toward the pretty Attorney,
Daisy, offered a turnip, which the COW
received eagerly.
But the turnip was small, and round.
and hard, and, drawing in great breaths,
Daisy contrived to let it slip, unmasti.
Gated down her throat-her capacious
throat-which yet presented some OBJ
struction to it's free passage, and Daisy
threw her head up and commenced to
Gun gle most unpleasantly.
Mab's lovely gray eyes widened with
fright. She watched the creature for a
moment, and then sprang to the door,
crying:
Father! father!'
Her father was at the sitting-rOom
window, but without, just at the gate,
was nearer help-a man, a stranger, 1t
did not matter whom.
"Oh, won't you please come hereT
cred Nab. my fathers best COW is
choking to death, and l don't know
what to dor
The man stopped to stare at her for a
moment, then came quickly across the
road to the barn.
II gave her turnip; did not think
it would choke her." began Nab.
Pulling fine white silk handkerchief
from his pocket, the stranger wound it
about his right hand, and, without more
ado, plunged it down the creatures
throat and drew out the turnip.
"Ohw exclaimed Nab with long
| breath Of relief.