The Yale expositor., 1897-08-06

1
had been her words. he loved her too
we'll to heed them at such time.
The afternoon slowly passed away.
What was II that caused such a shad-
ow OF dread to creep over my hearth
Somehow, could not shake 1t off.
From time to time I'would steal away
from my other duties into my dar-
ling's room, where everything so re-
minded me of her, picking up the ar
ticles she had thrown round In her
reckless haste. and when all was in
order, looking for something else to do
to detain me In the spot. Yet i would
not acknowledge the real extent and
reason OF my uneasiness, even to my
self, until the sound OF horses hoofs
rapidly nearing the house suddenly
lifted the load / had unconsciously
been carrying and brought me with
almost cry OF thanksgiving to the
window. Yes, there was my darling's
blue habit fiuttering in the breeze. She
bad returned unhurt, but the excite
ment must have been too great for her
strength, for, even from where stood.
! could but note the deathly pallor of
her face, and hastened down to meet
her.
Ere I reached her side i saw two Of
the men, in obedience to some hastily
Issued commands, spring into their
saddles and ride rapidly down the ave-
nue.. Then In another moment Miss
Emily lay almost fainting in my arms.
"Oh, Nanna," she exclaimed, II have
killed him, and he will never, never
know how dearly ! loved him."
] almost carried the poor child to
my room and laid her on the sofa,
noting, as did so with a shudder, the
two or three bright, red stains on her
habit What did they portend?
From time to time low means es-
capped her half-parted lips, and I could
but contrast her with the bright, will
full girl who had ridden off few brief
hours before so full OF hope and hap
piness. And then, in broken words,
she told the story. How at a sudden
turn in the road, she had caught sight
OF Mr.. Arthur following her and In
very perverseness Of spirit touched
lightly with the whip the animal which
needed restraint rather than urging,
then turred her head in the direction
of the pits, road at any time danger
Gus, but now, maddened by the touch
Of the whip, the mare had taken the
bit between her teeth, and the little
hands clenching the reins were power
less. Mr.. Arthur saw her peril, and,
putting spurs to his horse in reckless
defiance CT harm to himself, had put
him to the leap, endeavoring by leav-
ing the road, TO head her off and seize
her rein. 1t was a race for life. A
heap Of stones lay upon the road. On
one side there was barely room for
single horse to pass. Could he reach
that fret, he might save her. There
was no time to question. BY an effort
almost superhuman he directed his
horse to the pass, and seized the bride
which now lay powerless in her grasp
The mare swerved back, his own horse
plunged, and, In some way. how, she
could not tell he lay beneath the mad
dened animals feet, his head striking
on the cruel stones. The shock had
brought the mare to reason, which now
stood still and trembling. But Arthur
had saved her life by giving his.
could but comfort the child as best
might, when outside came the tread
of feet, and l knew they were bring
ing their sad burden home. Pressing
a kiss On her forehead, l went for
ward to meet 1t, but as through my
tears bent to look over the dear face,
|, too, almost tainted, though this
time for Joy, for the great brown eyes
were wide open, and l could almost
fancy smiling into mine.
The physicians gave us little hope
a. first, however. and 1t was pitiful
to watch Miss Emily steal in and out
of the room when he lay so white and
still and suffering. All her old will
fitness had gone now, and l could see
how her heart was centered In him,
but at lest we knew the best and the
worst. Life would be spared, but Mr..
Arthur would be a cripple for life."
Through me, Nanna-all through
mew she moaned forth when she heard
II. "How he must hate even to look
at mel" But had watched his gaze
fellow her too often not to know diff
ferently.
I was busy one day in his room q
think they scarcely knew l was, there)
when Arthur called her to his side.
81 want to say something to you,
Emily" he began; something which
has been long time on my mind. You
must not reproach yourself for this.
You must not let II interfere some day
with your giving your love to a man
more worthy of II, and you must re-
member no one will rejoice more than
in your happiness"
For moment she stood still, her
cheek flushing and paliDg; then she
threw herself at his feet. "0h, Ar
thur" she exclaimed, will you not
take me? Have you learned so to
hate me that all the old love has
gcne7"
Gomez he answered, stroking the
bright hair. Emily can a man part