The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-08

The
days his life was despaired Of He raj
lied, however, and at length was able to
leave his bed. The disease seemed to
have robbed him of all vitality.
''You will have to get him out of this,
my good girl" said the kind-hearted ply
stefan. He will have to get a change of
air and scene, or he will sink rapidly"
Poor Efle! She was beside herself with
grief. What should she do? She shrank
from further obligation to the Major, and
her earnings would not permit of any such
luxury. The Major very quickly OWNED
the difficulty, and insisted on bearing all
expenses.
''Tut, tut, child" said he gently, ''you
must remember that am only the execu-
tor of my brothers estate, and l am sim
ply carrying out the Coloners wishes"
Matters were soon arranged. EfIie was
to take her father up to a mountain re-
sort in the Blue Lakes region; the Major
would join them as soon as his official
cares permitted.
In the pure air of Lake County the old
veteran quickly recovered his strength. In
due time the Major arrived, and a month
was happily spent, driving about the coun-
try, or drifting on the bosom Of the quiet
lake, in the moonlight, listening to the
songs of the campers.
The party were seated in one OF the
evening. Efie looked radiantly beauti-
fui. She wore prettily figured organdie,
trimmed with lace and tastefully ruiiled.
Her cheeks were rosy from the effect OF
her eXertiOn in rowing a playful race on
the lake: her expressive eyes were spark
ling with fun. The Major was looking
at her in undisgulsed admiration. Sud
denly he uttered an exclamation of pain.
He staggered to his feet and pressed his
hands upon his heart. A physician was
hastily summoned the sufferer was put to
bed and restoratives applied. The attack
was soon under control, and in a day or
two the Major was able to carry out his
intention TO return to the city with Efie
and her father.
The stage from the Lakes to Ukiah
passes over rough mountain road, 80
miles or more in length The father man
aged 10 get seat on the outside with the
loquacious driver.
Thus it was that Fife and the Major
were the sole occupants of the inside Of
the numbering old vehicle. All went
smoothly for a while. The lakes, like
emerald gems, cleaned at their feet;
mountains towering above them, blending
green and purple and gray; the air, fresh
and highly stimulative, stirred the brain
and excited the imagination.
Leaving the lakes behind. the stage
tolls up the steep mountain side and then
plunges down in rapid descent, at one mo-
ment swinging abruptly to the right on
sharp curve; the next, whirling around
to the left, with rude grating of wheel and
brake.
1t was while making one Of these light
ming changes that the forward wheel
struck large stone in the road
Efie was thrown violently upward: in
falling back. the girl dropped. somewhat
dazed, into the outstretched arms of her
companion.
1t mattered little to the gallant officer
that Efhe's pretty little leghorn hat was
crushed against the roof, giving the maid
en- somewhat dissipated appearance He
looked, fear. a little silly, as he sat. with
face buried beneath deluge of runaway
tresses that stormed like bubbling rivu-
let's over his head and neck. tickling his
nose and saucily peeping into his shirt
collar. Indeed. he seemed actually to ex-
ult in her mishap, for he clasped the
blushing girl in his arms and held her a
prisoner much longer than the necessities
of the case seemed to demand He
pressed her gently against his breast and
noticed with a thrill of pleasure that she
did not resent this little addition TO the
courtesies incidental to such emergencies;
no, she flushed and looked shy, and then
gently disengaged herself.
my graciousr' said she, laughingly;
'wasn't that horridT'
"Horrid?" echoed the Major: "why, I
think it was glorious. Do you know, Efie.
dear'-here he caught her limp hand and
held it in his own firm grasp. | should
like 10 keep hold of you SO forever"
"Majorr'
There! the cnt was out Of the bag. and
he was in for it now, sure.
The dainty, little warm hand was not
dragged out OF his grasp, and he felt en-
couraged to continue
My dear Efle, have loved you from
the first. May / not claim you as nv
own1 I should have spoken to you before,
but | dreaded TO have you think that I
was presuming on the score Of gratitude.
Believe me, nothing is farther from my
thoughts"
Efiie did not answer. She could not
her heart was too full. She buried her
face in her hands; her breast heayed con-
vulsiyely.