Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-10-07

not Tor the pain, she addeu, as
twinge reminded her of the wounded
member.
"It is badly swollen" said Maxon,
looking sympathetically at the little
foot; ''if could bring some arnica or
cold water r-or-something-"
ooh, no, she hastened to say, cit
will DO very we'll until I get to the
hotel"
In very short time be reappeared
with light overcoat, which she iglad.
ly wrapped about her, for the air was
growing chill.
Soon Mexican came, leading the
comical little beast with its Topping
ears and wicked eyes. Then Miss
Neva found herself lifted into mans
saddle, and her lame foot carefully ad-
justed; her rescuer took the bride,
and by means OF much pulling and
coaxing aud an occasional punch from
the Mexican in the rear, the little
procession finally reached the hotel.
Several sympathetic nurses attend
ed to Miss Hildreth's sprained ankle,
while she rehearsel her adventure
with much glee, in spite of the pain.
She declared that it was quite as much
OF an adventure ns nineteenth CEN
tury maiden ought to expect, and that
the "Knight of tho Burro" was in
keeping with the age practical, you
know. San old time knight would
have borne me in his arms, which
would have been decidedly upcomfort-
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,
il 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 ore of those mar.
velous exhibits from his own State~ss
the great fair, he saw Neva Hiiofeth
approaching him. Their e-es met,
and size recognized him Win frank
smile aud outstretche1 hand.
81 am glad to see you. she said;."l
have not forgotten my California ex-
-,,ecs i;enca." An introduction to her
sister, Mrs. Ward. followed. Mrs.
Ward was quite absorbed by her own
escort, a learned professor. and she
pad little heed to her sister,
who followed in her wake accom-
panied by Maxon. So it fell out
that when luncheon was proposed,
two hours later, Maxon was still one.
OF the party and was invited to join
them invitation which he readily
accepted.
The party left the grounds soon af-
terward; and it was not until Maxon
was in his own room for the night that
he remembered, with sudden dismay,
that he had not asked Miss Hildreth's
address nor her plans for the morrow (;
he only knew that she was stopping
with friends and that she expected to
remain in Chicago week longer.
The next day Maxon wandered aim
lessly about the Art Gallery and the
Woman's Blilding, instead Of making
a study of certain agricultural e1hib-
its, as his ironclad itinerary called for.
By six p. In. he believed that he had
seen every woman in the United
States, except the one woman be want
ed to see. The next day was spent in
much the seme manner. On the third
day he caught glimpse of her, but
before he could reach her she was
gone.
1t is to be feared that Maxon gained
very little knowledge during the re-
mainder OF his stay at the fair. He
saw nothing more of Neva Hildrcth.
He had made arrangements to visit
some Of the Northern resorts, and he
had already overstayed his time in
Chicago. So one morning he took his
seat in the sleeper of through ex-
press, feeling, bitterly, that he had
lost the happiness of his life, perhaps,
through his own carelessness. Just as
the train pulled out, two ladies entered
and took the section next to his.
Strong man as he wac, the blood rushed
to his face and his heart leaped with
Joy as he recognized Neva Hildreth
and her sister. He would lose no
more opportunities. He went to them
at once, and was cordially received by
both ladies. He soon learned that
their destination was the same as his
own, and could hardly conceal his ex-
ultatien ms he thought of the long day
before him, which he resolved to make
the most of. Like wise man, he first
tried to converse with Mrs. Ward,
but she seemed so surprised at his
ignorance OF many exhibits which in
terested her, and so oyerpowered him
with her knowledge, that he was most
thankful when she buried herself in
q magazine and let him at liberty to
talk to her sister. He found Miss
Neya most charming travelling COM
paniop, and managed to spend most OF
the day by her side. He found that
their plans for the week coincided
with his own-strange to say-and as
they drew near their destination he
boldly asked permission to accompany
them on their excursion to Mime
tonka. Mrs. Ward looked her sur
prise, but she could only murmur
something about Every kind" which
the Californian coolly took for con-
sent and proceeded to arrange for
their meeting and to make suggestions
as to ways and means in the most mat
.of-fact way possible.
That night Mrs. Ward subjected hel
younger sister to q cross-examination,