Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-10-23

I
Their, as,istcnt. she had known h,
would fall an easy prey 70 her or hei
sisters. There was Serena. engaged al
sixteen TO one, married at twenty Z.
another Belinda ended her revert,
! with almost wish that the next Noul,
prove of harder heart. II would at leas,
be more exciting, and life az nr,
Branch needed all the CNhiiardtion ou,
could give il. She turned reluctantly
from the gate and the charming view
down She valley and walked slowly TO.
ward the house.
As il grew dark she watched for lin
from the open door. She saw the corn
stalk fires blaze from point 10 point
along the river. the mountains dLrk
+ against the sky. and the stars come CA.
one hy one. But still the doctors quick
footstcp did not sound on the path
and Belinda began to think that after
all though she did not want him just
yet. she could not DO without him
One after another the young men con
nccted with the neighboriug mines
dropped IN. and mus c and laughter
sounded through the open door Of the
old DoCtor's" hospitable home.
Belinda dancing TO the ragtime two
step, her crimson ribbons setting OF
her white neck. a flower tucked in her
dark hair and her black ewes sparkling
was the very personification II youth.
happiness and life. Suddenly as sh,
passed the window shs saw her brothet
Earls face. white. with frightened
eyes. Her heart almost stopped beat
ing, for she felt iustinctively that
something dreadful had happened.
Hearing her fr'ghtenetc cry the dancers
paused. the music broke Of and the
young people gathered about Earl
"oh what has lappeucd?' they
cried. breathlessly.
"FtIovs.' be laid. excited,y. "cCmy
out TO the road. Lea ha. been club. eG
and badly hurt trying Co save q chill.
from a drunken brute-pay DAY. vow
know, and some OF the toughest min
ers are wild with drink. lie d, lying
unconscious now. tell you lea has
pluck" the boy added in awestrucl
tones He pitched into a man three
times his size. and crazy drunk, he
saved the child but he and Earl IN
neryed, broke down with a sob
No one noticed Belinda leaning white
and faint against the window. The old
doctor and Young men followed Earl
leaving the frightened girls 20 crouch
by the fire, for the night had grown
damp and chill Belinda's light WORD,
OF the afternoon came 20 her again
and again through those long hours.
After hat seemed an age Joe Hiidreth
came 20 tell them that Lea was Sc
riously injured, they did not yet know
the full extent. He had been carried
To the Office.
Later he came for Belinda Lea was
conscious now. and had asked for her.
would she come? Throwing q coat
about her. Joe half led. half support
ed her across the porch and lawn 90
the Office There he paused. miss
Belinda he said. huskily. you have
plenty OF grit. YOU will need 81 an now.
We fear Lea has his call. but 81 vii.
not DO TO break down before him"
So, trembling from head to foot. she
braced herself for anything. as they
pushed the door open and entered the
arge, low room. The windows were
open 70 the spring night. the sounds -
the running water in the creek a nd the
pipe 81 frogs penetrated the stiffness
Belinda never heard these sounds
again without seeing that scene she
looked az now.
DR.. Lea lay propped up on n couch,
his delicate. thin face deathlike in is
pallor, the young men and the old doc-
tor about him They withdrew a they
saw her. as she came near him she saw
that he was indeed very near the Dor
lerland of life and death. Her own
life dvindled 70 nothing before thi,
great experience that had come 30
close to the man who loved her She
forgot everything now but that, o., shs
fell on her knees beside him. He was
too weak 20 speak, but the look n his
yes "a she grasped his hand told her
enough.
sidney" she said. unhesitatinglv.
'you must live, and for me. or 7 shall
never forgive myself for my idle words
this evening-somehow vutil tonight
did not know"
He did not speak, b1t a look Of er-
feet content shone Of his face, and .
presently she saw he vas sleeping p
quietly as child. Still holdir y her hand /
lightly in his. She did not know how
long she knelt there, but a. she rose
from her knees the dawn was break
ing, and wood-thrush was calling &c
rs mate from the hill.-Home Maya
zine.
"Preciseiy. But who Is cooking II ."