The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-12-26

across the prairie "Where are YOU?
Sing out again. I'm coming!'
The snow was drifted into fantas-
ally-shapedhi hills of varying height,
but between them the ground Law
bare and brown, as it usually did in
| that locality, when the first heavy
SnoWstorm of the season was ac-
companied by strong wind. 1t was
possible to walk around the high
drifts with comparative ease, but, on
a stormy night, even one acquainted
with the country was in danger of
losing his way and perishing of ex-
posture.
Jack hung a lighted lantern under
the roof of his porch then sailed
forth on his errand of mercy, calling
Justify and cheerfully at every step,
and soon he was standing beside an
old man who was bending over the
form of a girl lying Imply against
huge snow drift.
Il don't think she is dead" fall
tered the man, whose teeth were
chattering almost too much for
speech.
We'll soon know" replied Jack,
lifting the slight form into his arms
and leading the way to the cabin.
Let me know if l walk too fast for
you"
Jack placed his burden on the bed
and pulled the frozen veil from her
face, and then fell on his knees be-
side her.
"Nellie!" he exclaimed. "My God,
my God, it is Nellie!"
And are you Jack Walworth?"
asked the man; but Jack did not
hear. He had recovered his self
possession and was using all his
knowledge to restore Nellie to con-
seriousness, and as he worked he
called her all the pretty loverlike
names that she had ever heard from
his lips-and they were many, for his
was an exceedingly affectionate ma
ture. His method of treatment
proved most effective, for in re-
markably short period of time Mel
lie was able to drink the coffee he
made for her, and to explain her
presence in his home.
eve started out to find you, Jack"
she said, ''for / had made up my
mind to spend New Year with you.
This is my Uncle Ben, and he is a
minister, and when he saw was
/ determined to come, of course, he de-
cided to come, tool"
what else could | do?" murmured
the old man, deprecatorily; "Nellie
is so headstrong, and $3.50 very I'M
conventional"
And as soon as / can stand, Jack"
continued Nellie, paying no attention
to the interruption, 'he will marry
us-that is, if you have no other
sweetheart
81 told her" interrupted Uncle
Ben, chat it looked exactly as if she
were throwing herself at you"
And | told him." answered Nellie.
with happy little laugh, ''that that
was exactly what l meant to do.
said you had once thrown yourself
at me, and that this was the only
way / could get even"
What Jack said in reply would look
very silly on paper, but Nellie liked
it, and Uncle Ben pretended not to
hear. The good old man was re-
lieved, however, when the lovemak-
ing was interrupted by a shout from
outside, accompanied by a vigorous
demand for assistance, that sent
Jack hurrying out once again into
the whirling snow.
A neighbor had found a runaway
team that he wished to leave in
Jacks barn, for it was too much
trouble to lead it through the storm.
at is our team" exclaimed Uncle
Ben. 1--WE got out to walk, for Mel
lie feared her feet were freezing,
and the team got away from us. We
tried to find it, but the storm in
creased SO furiously we couldn't
see."
The neighbor and his companion