The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-05-12

to stand by YOU. And won't you even
try to move?"
81 cannot, save YOURSELF" she
moaned.
"No; am not that sort. Now
then?"
He raised her in ais arms and slowly
plodded through the snow. He had
tramped that pathway often and knew
it we'll. But the snow was terrible.
| Down it came, thickening every
minute. 1t beat him soon. He was
knee deep in it and he was Off the
track. When he discovered this by
the uneven footing underneath the
deep coating he stopped. Warrington
was no coward. But his heart failed
him. He was physically incapable of
carrying the girl farther No shelter
was near. The girl herself was abso-
lutely exhausted. He 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 trying?" she
answered feebly. at is impossible.
Why don't you leave me? l want 30
sleep. | want to die"
CHATS where the trouble is. l
don't want you to die"
Again he struggled forward Some
shelter must be at hand. Some help
must be near. If neither ore nor
other-well, he could take leaf from
the book of the dainty little patrician
he carried in his weary democratic
arms. He, too, could die game. And
| so; forward The snow was worse
than ever. The girl by great effort
aroused herself and said:
"YOu have done enough, too much.
am sorry | have not quite under
stood you. / know you now. Good
bless you. Save yourself | asked
you before"
81 will not save myself" he cried
Historically. 81 will not leave you. 7
will fight on"
But he was dead heat. The girl
furg herself from his arms saying
Together 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 ST.
lently; each waiting for the other TO
speak. Then the man said quietly:
"The snow must be clearing off or
we are i'll the lee of something
shelter"
"God grant it," said the woman.
81 noticed it, but feared it might not
be true"
They could not see yard ahead.
Another,elfort then! After few steps
they were brought up by wall. 1t
must be an outbuildlng of some farm
house. They found the door; they
were saved-for the moment. The
house, n mere cattle shelter, was for
tunately nearly full of hay. He twisted
firm wisp and brushed her skirts clear
OF snow. She must have persisted il
the thick coating had been allowed
to thaw and drench her. He wrapped
her up in heep of hay and induced
her to swallow few more drops of
brandy. Then he incontinently fin
ished the flask himself. Going to the
open doorway of the shelter ho stood
on guard.
As the night wore away, the snow
! gradually ceased. The moon at last
shone out. TO his surprise Warning
ton recognized the locntity-a hillside
halfway 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 aud almost
strong.
80 we can get back to the castle
before daybreak?' she asked anxious
ly.
"No, he answered. "We can make
the rectory--not the castle"
"Why not the castle?'
''There are various reasons" he
said quietly.
She would not argue with him; he
had saved her life. They started for
the O,tory, and now that they hnd
sufficient light to avoid the deeper
drifts. reached their destination with.
out much difficulty. They rarely spoke
during the journey.
"Not that way" Warrington inter
| posed sharply, as Miss Howard was
/ making for the hall door of the rec
| tory. He wrapped his handkerchief
round his right hand and broke the
| glass of n ground floor window. "This
will serve better" he said, rs no I'M
fastened the clasp aud threw mp the
sash. Let mo help you" He took
the girl up in his strong arms and set
her In the room. The wind was rising {;
the ftful moonlight failed; snow be.
| gan 20 fall again
Goodnight, ne said, softly land
hope you won't bo anything the
worse"
She seized his outstretchel hand
and held 1t fast. "Wcre arc you co..
iug?'
"Goiugl OBJ, going, in the FIRST
| place, to lose myself in tho snow
/ again.
'For what purposc?'
$50 That, don't you sec? when I
find my way again ! will bo Mt tho cas-
tie, you here Jbat-that cattle shell
ter business is oil a myth / say SO
| who should know. You SEQ uOw?"
There was pause, and then the girl
said with slight sob
''fou are sure you willfnd you way
| TO the cnstlc2'
"Oh, yes, sure enough, and not very
particular whether ! do or not.