Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-05-06
II don't at ALL" was the reply. "pm
used to wind and weather"

A~oS AAAoS "hoA I'LL II pook pCopLC,
send for. But 1 can't imagine Daniel
Ctway's wife with such a sweet, musi-
cally modulated voice. It's a gift of
heaven to save people. I suppose. Well,
l respect Phebe for having the energy
and resolution to face a storm like
this for the very problematical pay
ment which she has to expect from old
Hannah Hopkins!"
And then he %relapsed into silence
after n or two more remarks, to
which his companion did not seem in
clined to reply. save in monosyllables,
until they stopped in the midst of a
whirling snowdrift. before old Han
nah's cabin. on the edge Of a thicket Of
pines.
Shall 1 put the horse out?" DR..
Dane asked. There is neither man nor
boy here to render such services,
and
Il can put him out myself" said the
woman, quickly. 81 know where the
lantern and the matches are kept in
the shed. and l have taken Prince
Charles in and out OF the shafts many
q time"
Without waiting for an answer. she
led the pony around the corner OF the
house and vanished as it were into a
white wilderness, while DR.. Dane
opened the door and went into the
sick room. where he wretched old oc-
togenarian lay groaning by the light OF
a pine wood fire alone.
Well. Hannah" said he, cheerfully,
how are you?"
But, instead OF answerinfi. the old
woman screwed up her eyes to peer
past him into the gloom, as if expect
ing yet another figure to appear.
The next instant the back door
opened and a small, slight figure came
in, already freed from clumsy cloak
or sheltering fur cap-a girl of per.
haps twenty, with clear, brown eyes
rosy cheeks and coils OF brown hal,
wound around and around her head
Hannah's blear eyes Frightened at the
noiseless apparition.
II knew you would come, pretty
one" she said. You always COM
where there is pain or trouble or heavy
hearts. my queen"
80" said DR.. Dane to himself, 81
is neither Miss Martineau nor DAME
otway's wife. wonder who it is"
All that wild. tempestuous night tn,
two kept vigil at Hannah Hopkins
bedside, and, in his secret heart, tn.
doctor confessed that he had neyel
seen a quicker comprehension, a NOR,
tender heart, a stronger f%ortitude, thar
that of his unknown companion. An
when. at daybreak, the angel of dealt
set the %prisoned spirit free, aud the,
sat alone by the corpse, DR.. Dane spok
out:
we can do no more for the poo
creature said he. She's at rest, nov
Let me take you to your friends"
NO." said the girl, quietly. 81 shal
stay here until some of the villag
people come. will not leave her, poo
SOUL"
Can l send some one?" he asked.
IF you choose" she answered.
But l don't like to leave you alone.
do not be afraid" size sala, d ilttl
scotnfully.
SokS4aileck Dane left her. Forum
.Jpase se met some one a few rods i
the road, and returned with reinforce
ments-a sturdy old farmer and h
wife.
Miss Durande." cried the woman
the minute her eye fell on the sligt
figure at the bedside, you never mea
to say that you have been here a
night! But l don't b'lieve old Han
nah could have died without you, ST
was that fond of you. Heaven BILE.
your sweet facet
DR.. Dane started. feeling the colo
mount to his face.
"Ah!!" said he, striving to spea
calmly. so the mystery is solved! Yo
are Miss Durande"
eyes," she said, 81 am Miss Durand
did not reveal my identity before, b
cause l knew you did not like me, d
Dane"
But l do like you" said the docto
impulsively. 1T was only my fal
cied ideal OF Miss Durande that l di
liked"
Was it just to be judge, jury al
executioner, without even allowing Il
poor defendant to put in a plea
asked Dorella.
A 1T was cowardly and base" a
mitted DR.. Dane. IF you can forgi,
1 me, do. But l shall find it impossib
k to forgive myself"
v The heiress held out her hand wi
a most fascinating smile beginning
e dimple the corners of her perfe
mouth.
Such humility is irresistible" sa
!, she. you are pardoned!'
d They drove home together the be
a friends in the world. DR.. Dane wonde
ing how it was possible that the re
Miss Durande should be so unlike t
II silly, simpering. conceited little pc
sonage whom he had decided she mt
/" be-and Dorella, ~woman-like, thinkil
J. all the more of him because she h
been called upon to forgive his shol
Le comings.
or course the sequel remains to
told. OF curse DIR. Dane and Dore
k Durande liked each other all the b.
d ter, now, for having so heartily
IS spised each other before. And one d
DR.. Hal told Miss Durande that
y liked her better than any one else
the world-and, in return, Miss Z