The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-08

air when the wagon turned over Miss
Hanforl tHmbled intoa snow drift that
lad already heaped itself ON the road
side, and lay there, a mnhied, almost in
diatihguishable heap, and Mr. Landt
half fell, half sprang beyond her, but
was on his feet instantly again. The
horse also was on his feet aud going in
10 the distance at n fno gallon, the
sound OF which was soon lost on the
sweep Of the angry wind
"Ah, are you hurt Are you hurt9
He had gathered Miss Hanford up la
his arms, and was holding her rs easily
as if she had been a child.
81 don't know said Marian, strug-
Cling promptly to regain her footing on
the earth; but the instant she accom-
l,plished This a cry Of pain escaped her.
"Aly foot, she said, family. "Some-
thing is the matter with my foot
"a sprain, perhaps Eugene said,
compassionately Just Try 10 walk a
step or two.
She did try, then caught at Eugenos
arm with both her han g.
~ can't" she said quietly. "The
pain is terrible
"Ihen, good heavens. what are we TO
dol I could carry you ensily-but-to
keep my feet in this wind.
"You can carry me to tue schoOlhouse,
If you viii. / have the key here am
sorry, Mr. Landt to give you this
trouble"
''Ihe very thing" he said promptly.
"Iucky it's SO near. Just pnt your
arm round my neck please. That's
right"
He took her ap lightly, and began to
plod bis way, with bent head, against
the storm.
you'll have TO guide me, Miss Han.
ford, if you can
eco on straight little way--a few
steps further. Now, turn of the rcal-
the footpath is here. Now You are all
right You'll feel the fence in minute.
81 feel it now, said Engcne, bump.
ing himself against it; mud here's the
gate. Actually we are ia luck, as Mr..
Stoycr says
Another minutes careful plodding
brought them 70 the door, which Eugene
unlocked. Within all was cimmerian
darkness, but the change to a warm, dry
atmosphere was a delightful sensation. +
Mr.. Landt CROPPED his way to a sent, de- /
posted Miss Hnnford thereon, and under +
her direction lit the little lamp above
the desk and kindlcd cheerful wood +
fire in the big drum stove. Then he re.
moved her snow powdered wraps and his .
own overcoat, shook them vigorously and .
hung them in fri ndly companionship .
near tho warmth 10 dry.
''Now, we must see a little to the poor
foot, Miss Hanforl," be said. going
down on his knees before her. "Let me 4
romoye your boot. Don't be afraid: /
won't hurt you
But despite his light, careful touches
Marian WINGED with pain. Tho removal
OF the stocking was accomplished with
an air Of almost professional gravity, and
then Eugene, having satisfied himself
that no bones were broken. bcgan 10
bind up the sprain. For this purpose
he tore in strips his own linen handker-
chief, wetied it with snow, and swathed
the slender insiep and anhle tightly.
Then he said cheefully:
"Now we arc ahead Of the swelling,
anyway, and III make you as comforia.
bic as can. Let me hft you into this
armchair. Then you can lean lack
so. He caught stool aud placed it
under her feet. and stood looking down
kindly on her pale, unsmiling face.
''Its too bad, Of course" he said
gently, "hut accidents will happen. We
must make the best Of it.
ftflF .r,ttrrf % uatI 1Ts..f.r L
you. She looked anywhere but at the
bright aud reassuring face above her.
II am very, very sorry this has occur
red. II only had ieIy the rrins j
might kavo known. ddknow, in fact.
Bat-no matter. Il can't be helped
now" h
At this overflow Of base and truly
feminine ingratitudo Mr. Landt merely
raised bis eyebrows and walked over toa
distant bench, whereon be settled him
self in an attitude Of repose. The little
clock between The windows ticked So
ciably. and the pleasant puifing of the
fire suggested comfor alic companion
ship; but these two very handsome
Young people, whom fate had paired or
IN this novel and unexpected fashion. {
listened 10 the roaring Oi the storm
gusts, the rattling Of doors aud windows. {
in cold and formal silence. Now and
than a word was uttered and answered
relative 10 the fight Of time or the con-
dition Il the fire, anl again silence 1
brooded.
Mr. Landt grew restless presently. He
stirred about the room, picking up a
school book here and there, yawning
over an cd almanac he
and altogether betrayed the
utmost veariness Of foul As for Miss
Hauford. she still sat quite moiionless
aad Ytry pale, with nn expression Of
pride and subdued resentment on her
olear-cut features that Eugene c0uld
not fail 10 see and understand.
'HOur people vail be alarmed about 4