The suburban citizen., 1900-10-13

moibent something came crashing and
ratti(ng down the raviue. Two horses,
frankie with terror, with a wagon
our Ragon-fell at the bottom, and
scrambled to their feet while Tom him
self wdS thrown directly at my Feet
as If IL direct answer TO my prayer
But hcfdld not stir; his face was pale
as dea th. and his eyes closed.
In tliat moment all my petty jeal-
ousy vPnished, and l threw my arms
about hm, trying to lift him from the
ground He was like log, and l be-
lieved him dead. Then | tainted again.
When 1 returned to consciousness once
more the storm had passed, leaving
the skies as blue as ever; but desola-
ton was on every side. Tom was
bending over me, his face full Of love
and grieF and anxiety. He had been
stunned and bruised, but not severely
hurt.
| need not undertake to tell you
our conversation. l remember 1t per-
fectly, but it is sacred to both Of MS,
even now, old and staid as we are.
But when we finally were ready to
diSentangle ourselves from the debris
in the ravine, Tom and l stood nearer
to each other than ever before. Near
cr because of our terrible proximity
to death and because my foolish and
unwarrantable behavior had well-nigh
separated us forever.
The horses were unhurt, though un-
able to extricate themselves, and it
was some time before Tom could re-
pair the wagon so that we could go
on. 1t had been blown up against
tree and broken; but Tom followed the
good old fashion of those days, Of car
rying plenty Of stout string in his pock-
cts. and so was able TO mend up the
broken places where it was necessary.
Me he actually carried up the ravine
where he could place me in the wagon;
my ankle had swollen frightfully, and
panied me exceedingly, besides
Now" he said, getting into the
| wagon himself, I'VE must hurry. I've
got to meet Teenie, though the heavens
fall" and he gave me a cOmical glance.
| He hadn't. explained who "Teenie"
was, nor did care to ask. After the
| experiences Of the last twenty min
utes my jealousy looked to me mex
pressibly contemplate. 1--WE meant
it for a surprise TO you, dear Tom
said presently, "but perhaps I'd better
tell you You don't guess who Tee
ME s foolish little girlE'
shook my head. Tom, l don't
carc ! trust you now, utterly"
"Then l must tell you that it was the
old pet name by which l called Ade-
laide Saunderson. l hadn't thought Of
it for years before, nor, do l suppose,
had She but she resurrected the name
for the occasion. She is coming for a
two months stay and was especially
anxious that you should not be told,
as she wanted to surprise you. I guess
she has, Anyway, you surprised me-"
Don't, Tom" I sobbed. Tom drew
me closer
Under the circumstances, 1 didn't
want to let it go so; but she was very
strenuous, and Adelaide is so intense
that l had to let her have her way.
When l read your note I could have
killed myself for allowing it. Forgive
me, JOSIE" and Toms voice grew very
tender.
Forgive you? Oh, Tomw l sobbed,
"when l was 50 DREADFUL
There therew he said, soothlngly,
Lets call 1t square. Besides, we're
almost there; and 1 can't drive up to
the station with your eyes in that con-
dition. I'm afraid Adelaide will think
it wasn't much of a success-hcr sur
prise"
wiped up as we'll as I could, al
though l fear Adelaide received a
rather fearful welcome, after all.
Adelaide Saunderson was Toms
cousin, and had always taken the place
of the sister he never had. l don't
know what I should have done with
out "Teenie," as we began calling hel
again; for my baby was born the next
morning, and my own life hung in the
balance long time after.
That was our only quaIrel-if may
call it so. And, as Tom says, ''thC
very idea Of our getting along sepa
rately is enough to bring on a cycloneH
-Waverley Magazine.
Seeing Stars.