The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-06-16

6sS sAs0 - epeoA8 msVoros
with a stout club. Jones sprang over
the wall and struck viciously At the
brute. The blow fell fairly upon the
animals xnout, and ended abruptly his
pursuit of the maiden. who, however,
sped ON until she ran almost into NV
arms. got her hands in mine and took
some time to assure her that abe was
safe. before coming down to the mere
detail that the farmland had been her
rescuer. She turned to thank the
man. but by this time he was some
distance up the lane, driving the cowed
and grunting boar back to his prison.
II envy that fellow" said I. "I'd
give anything to have bad that chance
he improved"
"would your" said she. with nerv-
Gus little smile. ut was Q dangerous
privilege. Ugh!" and she shuddered
at the recollection. what terribls
animal that was! Inever was so fright
ened in all my life"
Let US go back to the house. sug-
gested. 'You will hardly enjoy . Wis
IL to the orchard after such IN adven-
ture."
"No. indeed she said. "After this
I sha. be more careful. Ihave learned
something from this experience"
"Aud SO have l." was my thought, for
in that moment of her peril the veil OF
doubts and questions and theories and
speculations had been torn from my
eyes, and ! had learned the simple truth
which explained them all, yet which
they had served tO Aiste from ma.
"sakes alivsf what's keepin' t:...
Hiram"
There could be no mistaline that
voice, which penetrated my Office,
though the speaker was out Of sight. 1.
was not voice Of smooth tones and
delicate infections, yet It was satrnc.
tive in q homely, everyday sort Of wny,
therein resembling Its owner. Now
and then II grew sharp. when ciFeum-
stances were particularly trying. but
il never suggested nagging. ~ this
particular moment there wrs -iE.,
II . note Of anxiety. which 1soaS
me from q pleasant after dinner hnlf.
doxe N throw up . window ana
send . glunce toward the gate. where
Mrs. Weston stood. shading her eyes
with her hand. the better to peer down
the road.
"whst's the trouble?" 1 sang out to
her.
",Thst pesky Hiram oughter been
back hours ago." said she. What can
he be doin' OF, anyhow
"Where did you send him?'
"Down to the beach with the team,
after n load of gravel"
perhaps he's been bogEcd. It'y
quite possible, IL he didn't keep MS eyes
open. Just where did you bid hin, Ro?'
II told him the best place was ths
South Cove, but he might find some
good 'nough Mt pinch near Jol nson's
Whichever place he went, lie oughtei bs
back. Iwant 10 see him partic'lar thh
afternoon"
$50 do I. II he turns up in the mex.
half-hour, please let me know Of IT,"
ayes. indeed, doctor. I'll be glad to-
she answered.; and after . parting sur
vey of the neighborhood, she reentered
the house. IL was the afternoon fol-
lowing the dag on which Jones had
come 70 the aid Of Miss Gray in such
timely fashion, hut neither she nor I
had yet succeeded In getting an oppor-
tunity TO thank him for his assistance.
gratitude, and Dorothy. as knew, had
decided to give him token Of It in the
shape Of . trimket, . quantity carved
wutch charm, which she had picked up
in one Of her trips abroad. All things
considered, II was rather q curious
choice she had made, although the
thing was sufficiently pretty TO appeal
TO the unframed instincts Of the boor
she had every reason to suppose him to
be. So far ~ I was concerned. the
question was more puzzling, but I
had determined to offer him money.
Whether he would accept IL was doubt
full. but, at any rate. the proRer might
be made, with the alternative idea Of
picking out some present later on
which would mcct his approval in case
he declined the cash.
Tho half-hour passed with NO It'd
ings Of the missing man. After an.
other fruitless survey Of the road, Mrs.
Weston. dolefully shaking her head,
vanished again, after once more in
forming me that his prolonged absence
was wholly inexplicsble. Presently
one Of her sons brought my horse and
carriage TO the door, and. somewhs&
reluctantly, I forsook the cool quiet Of
the Office 10 begin the drive to the house
Of one Of the patients whom I was
attending during Mr.. Bsnls' convales.
cence from his injury. Miss Gray was
reading In the shade of the porch q
the house over the way, and, in hopes Of
persuadlng her TO Join me, crossed
the road and went up 70 her.
Really. should be delighted, but
I've DPOmiaeS1 NV amt A<p -, A~~ .~e-