The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-25

discovered this by the uneven footing
underneath the deep coating he
stopped. Warrington was no coward.
but his heart failed him. He was physi-
tally incapable of carrying the girl
farther. No shelter was near. Tho
girl herself was absolutely exhausted.
lie appealed TO her again:
Gould you not try TO walk bit
Just to rest me. / can do no more. Do
try"
whats the good of tryingp" she an
swered feebly. ut is impossible. Why
don't you leave me? i want to sleep.
] want 10 die"
That's where the trouble is. don't
want you TO die"
He drank some brandy. The snowfall
only changed for the worse. 1t came
down with force that had actual
weight in it. He staggered doggedly
on. Once he fell heavily. The relief
from the cutting wind was delightful.
The snow was soft. II was downy
pillow-and TO rest just for a single
moment! He struggled TO his feet and
ciinched his teeth in desperation. Again
he struggled forward Some shelter
must be at hand; some help must be
near. If neither one nor other-well he
could take n leaf from the book of the
dainty little patrician he carried in his
weary democratic arms. He too could
die game. And SO; toward! The snow
was worse than ever. The girl by great
effort aroused herself and said:
You have done enough, too much. l
am sorry i have not quite understood
you. / know you now. God bless you.
Save yourself. 1 asked you before"
II will not save myself" he cried
Historically. II will not leave you.
will fight on"
But he was dead beat. The girl flung
herself from his arms, saying: "To-
gether then" Hampered by her dress
the exertion of forcing her way through
the drifts was terrible. His courage
gave her strength. The end came soon.
They faced each other silently; each
waiting for the other TO speak. Then
the man said quietly:
"rhc snow must be clearing off or we
are in the lee of something-some
shelter
God grant it," said the woman. "I
noticed il, but feared it might not be
true
They could not see yard ahead. An-
other effort then! After few steps
they were brought up by wall. 1t
must be an outbuilding of some farm.
They found the door; they were saved
for the moment. The house, q mere
cattle shelter, was fortunately nearly
full of hay. He twisted firm wisp and
brushed her skirts, boots and stockings
clear of the snow. She must have per-
ished If the thick coating had been al
lowed to thaw and drench her. He
wrapped her up in heap of hay and in
duced her to swallow few more drops
Of the brandy. Then he incontinently
finished the flask himself; he needed it.
Going TO the open doorway of the shelter
he stood on guard.
AS the night wore away the snow.
gradually ceased. The moon at last
shone out. To his surprise Warrington
recognized the locality-a hillside half
way between the castle and the rectory
where Miss Howard's married sister
lived. She was asleep when he went to
her. He awoke her gently. She was
now well rested and almost strong.
$50 we can get back TO the castle be-
fore daybreak?" she asked, anxiously.
NO." he answered. "We can mako
the rectory-not the castle"
"Wby not the castle?"
"There are various reasons" he said
quietly.
She would not argue with him; he
had saved her life. They started for tho
rectory. and now that they had sufi-
cient light to avoid the deeper drifts,
reached their destination without much
difficulty. They rarely spoke during the
Journey.
Not that way" Warrington inter
posed sharply, ns Miss Howard was
making for the hall door of the rectory.
He wrapped his handkerchief round his
right hand and broke the glass of y