The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-07-19
TIE eIRL HE MARRIED.

Along a dreary country road, which
was half buried in the mud and siush
IA warm winter, a young woman hob
bled, so family and with such evident
difficulty that it seemed every moment as
II her wearied frame would collapse, and
she would sink to the ground. never to
rise again
She was i'll, sick almost to death, but
with her chin slightly poised IL the air.
with q kind OF dumb resolution TO strug-
gle forward somewhere, she half chung
to the low wooden fence which ran along
by the public road. Where she had
come from, where she was going 10, she
had almost forgotten. She was conscious
OF a dull, gnawing pain. which was hun
ger for food, without the pleasure Of ap-
petite, and an overmastering desire to lie
down and sleep.
Presently the dull crunch of carriage
wheels and the thud OF a pair OF high
stepping horses were heard on the road,
but the lonely woman seemed not to
hear.
This carriage caught her I'D as others
had done. It contained a young lady Of
about the same age perhaps as herself,
who was dressed in furs, and sat up
straight in her carriage, the very type of
unbenoing aristocratic pride. The car
risge passed her as all the others had
done and the occupant glanced round at
the bent figure on the path-panting, tot
tering, stumbling along. Then a clear,
sharp voice said. Stop"
Where are you going, my good vo-
manY' she inquired. somewhat severely.
In reply the young woman locked at
her with lack iuster eyes. Her senses
were numbered, and she could find no
answer. Where was she going? How
could she tell? The only ideas her mind
retained were food, sleep" rest"
Mrs. Stanton frowned. Evidently the
creature had been drinking, and she
hall turned away in disgust. A second
thought prompted her, however, TO try
again. Can 1 do anything for your she
asked. 4 feel bad" said the girl, in a
low voice. and she chung to the fence q
little tighter.
A frown appeared on Mrs. stanton's
face.
Are you trying TO get to stowbridge?'
she asked.
The girl nodded. She had no idea where
Stowbridge was, but it would serve as
well as any other place.
The footman had jumped off his seat
and stood by his mistress side. STOW
bridge is seven miles away, is 1t not?'
inquired Mrs. Stanton.
Yes. ma'am," said the man, touching
his hat.
I'm afraid you'll scarcely be able TO
reach the town, she said in perplexity
turning 10 the girl. In reply, she gave
a short gasp and sank back to the ground
in heap. This seemed, on the whole
TO prove the truth of Mrs. Stanton s
words, and she looked more perplexed
than ever.
There was perhaps half a minutes ST.
lence; then she saidi Help me put her
in the carriage"
Together they lifted the semi-conscious
girl into the luxurious victoria. Mrs.
Stanton took her seat, and the footman
stood watching for instructions.
Where to, ma amp he asked
Home" came the answer, in a quick,
clear voice.
He touched his hat again and tried not
to look surprised.
''Rummy go, amt it?" he whispered
to the coaehman.
The FUNNIEST go I ever saw" said
that functionary, gravely.
" 'Ow do you account for it?" wills
pered the footman, as if he were discus
sing new form Of influenza.
Don't know, m sure; I've noticed a
wonderful change ever since the captain
went toithe war. Seems as if the missis
had got bit more human like"
First time she's known trouble, I sup
pose"
That's It," said the coachman, philo-
sophicaliy, and trouble does people a
power Of good. Makes the heart beat
faster"
A few minutes later and the carriage
swept up the handsome avenue that led
to Newark house.
Mrs. Stanton's orders were as rsuaI