Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-06-05
him, or to some one dear to him
oh, Bert Bert II will do it gladly
avnn tbnuCh ho povor hnavvS ;t

the september neat TO tue cniii
storms of dreary November. The
wind sighed and the rain fell in tor
rents; and Jessie, looking dream
| lily from her window, sighed, too,
and wished that she might get out
| into the free air and away from her
gloomy thoughts.
The third day the storm ceased,
and, though the sun did not yet
shine, travelling was once more pos.
sible.
| Jessie was used to driving her.
| self over the country in her own
pony carriage, and so when she an.
nounced her intention Of going to
town, nobody opposed. To be sure,
when Fred, her eighteen-y ear-old
brother, brought the ponyzround, he
did say, doubtfully:
"Jess, maybe I'd better go with
you. They say the creek is up, and
| you might get into trouble at the
crossing
ooh, nonsense !" was Jessie's light
answer. II know every foot Of Old
Raccoon, and SO does Little Gray.
You needn't fear to trust us, Fred
Gall right, then. But if you don't
come home by noon, | shall ride to
town after you"
"No, don't expect us by noon--it
will be three o'clock or later before
we can get here. I have some shop
ping to do and a call to make don't
be uneasy if we are little Late
swell, don't stay longer than you
can help, anyhow" called Fred after
her, as she drove off.
Oh, how she wished not many
hours later, that she had not spoken
those last words +! But how could
she guess what might happen, before
she saw her home again?
The distance to Chenille was five
miles, and the creek crossed the
high road at spot called Thorpe's
Ford, about half way to the town.
Jessie drove into the stream with a
fancy that it did seem higher than
usual; and before she was safely
over, she knew that it was more than
fancy.
"There! it did not miss much OF
running into the carriage y she said
as Little Gray set his feet on firm
ground on the other side. II did
not think it, had rained enough to
cause freshet! Perhaps | had bet
ter not wait to make my call today.
II the water rises many incLes, /
| can get Dack at ali.
She had half mind to turn home
at once, but decided to keep on, and
make short trip for once. The
sandy road, though still wet, was not
bad, and it did not take the stout
gray many minutes to trot down the
main street CT the village, where the
stores were. As Jess tied him to
the hltching post in front of Garter
q Krug's, farmer, who lived not
far beyond the Watson place, came
out of the store.
"Why, hello, Jessie you in town
this morning p was his salutation.
eyes, Mr.. Pickett. Not surpris-
ed to see me, are your"
| swell, / didn't just believe your
folks would want you TO cross Old
Raccoon so soon after the storm
Waters risin' mighty fast, to my
notion. Coin to stay all day ~
"No, I am going back in little
while" said Jessie.
"Mebbe III meet you, then. But
if you don't stay too long, l reckon
you'll get over safe.'
| Mr.. Pickett went on his way, and
Jessie set about her shopping. She
did not intend to be long. But ev
erybody knows how the minute,
slip by when a woman stands at {
dry goods counter ; SO it was ne
wonder that the court house clocE
struck ten before she left the store.
The railroad train was Just oppo
site; the morning train rushed in az
she reached the street, and jessie
saw Bert Reeds mother step from
the platform and look about her al
if expecting some one whom she die
not find. Instantly Jess was ovel
the way, asking
HAS no one met you, Mrs. Reed
Do you want to 60 out home 2"
"Oh, is that you, Jessie? Yes,
sent Bert card yesterday, saying
would be home on this train, and
thought surely he would be here.
heard on the cars that the creek was
rising very rapidly, and I ought tc
get home while it is passible."
81 have my pony carriage here
and am going right OUT" said Jes
sic. II will take you with pleasure
if you will accept my services"
81 will accept them, and thank yor
too, Jessie, my dear. But can W.
cross the ford /? Is it safe 7"
Entirely safe, so far" said Jes
sic, quite believing her own words
81 came over this morning. I think
it may be past fording by night, bui
| am sure it is not so as yet. If w
go now, no doubt we can cross al
easily as | did, when came in
mn