The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-09-17

uer.
"Jose tells me that you have met
with an accident" he said; al am
very sorry"
"It's only q sprained ankle, /
think" che replied, "but that is
bad enough" Then, forgetting every
thing but the misery of the
past hour, she cried, "Oh, dear,
oh dear how am ever to get away
from this place over that dreadful
trail? / can't alk-and-there's no
other way" In spite of her nerve"
the tears came.
Henry Maxon, looking down at the
dainty little figure with its tear.
stained face, longed to pick her up IN
his arms, as he would have done n little
child, and carry her home, but he only
said:
"Oh yes. .here are other ways; we
might make little and carry you
or-did you ever ride burro?"
"No, but | mean to ride one before
l go home"
"Now's your chance then-that is,
II You are not too faint to sit in the
saddle. My ranch rs just around the
hill, and l can have an animal here
inside of ten minutes-if you wish"
"Oh, yesl" sho exclaimed, eagerly,
al can ride very well. and / should
really enjoy burro ride-if it were
not for the pain" she added, rs n
twinge reminded her of the wounded
member.
at is badly swollen" said Maxon,
looking sympathetically at the little
foot; ''if | could bring some arnica or
cold water-or--something-"
ooh, no, she hastened to say, cit
will DO very well until 1 get to the
hotel"
In very short time lie reappeared
with light overcoat, which she iglad.
ly wrapped about her, for the air was
growing chill.
Soon q Mexican came, leading the
comical little beast with its Hopping
ears and wicked eyes. Then Miss
Neva found herself lifted into a man s
saddle, and her lame foot carefully ad-
justed; her rescuer took the bride,
and by means OF much pulling and
coaxing and an occasional punch from
the Mexican in the rear, the little
procession finally reached the hotel.
Several sympathetic nurses attend
ed to Miss Hildreths sprained ankle.
while she rehearsed her adventure
with much glee, in spite Of the pain.
She declared that it was quite as much
of au adventure as n nineteenth CEN
tury maiden ought to expect, and that
the "Knight OF the Burro" was in
keeping with the age practical, you
know. Gan old time knight would
have borne me in his arms, which
would have been decidedly uncomfort-
able for both parties before we got
over that half mile of rocky trail"
Mr.. Maxon called next day, of course,
to make inquiries, and was graciously,
If somewhat condescendingly, received
by Mrs. Hildreth; but he found occa-
sion to stop at the little hotel almost
every day during the next week, and
he usually found Miss Hildredth on
the veranda. They had some merry
laughs over their adventure, and
some very pleasant chats but the
Hildredths were only tourists with
round trip tickets, and as soon as the
lame ankle permitted they went on
their way.
Six months later, as Henry Maxon
was standing before one OF those mar.
velous exhibits from his own State at
the great fair, he saw Neva Hildreth
approaching him. Their eyes met.
and she recognized him with frank
smile and outstretched hand.
81 am glad to see you. :" she said al
have not forgotten my California ex-
perience. An introduction to her
sister, Mrs. Ward. followed. Mrs.
Ward was quite absorbed by her own
escort, a learned professor, and she
paid little heed to her sister,
who followed in her wake accom-.
panied by Maxon. So it fell ont
that when luncheon was proposed,
two hours later, Maxon was still one
of the party aud was invited to join
them~-an invitation which he readily
accepted.
The party left the grounds soon af
terward; and it was not until Maxor
was in his own room for the night thai
he remembered, with sudden dismay
that he had not asked Miss Hildretht
address nor her plans for the morrow
he only knew that she was stopping
with friends and that she expected t
remain in Chicago week longer.
The next day Maxon wandered aim
lessly about the Art Gallery and tn,
Woman's Building, instead of making
q study of certain agricultural exhib
its, as his ironclsd itinerary called for
BY six p. m. he believed that he haC
seen every woman in the United
States, except the one woman he want
ed to see. The next day was spent il
much the same manner. On the thir,
day he caught glimpse of her, bu
before he could reach her she wa
gone.
1t is to be feared that Maxon gainet
| uaru ltttla GnnmlaIr.a I,.,aa, A. 80