Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-19
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had believed himself to be quite alone
in the dusty highway.
What he saw on turning his head 4
little to one side was demure lit
tie creature. With big, baby blue eyes.
red, ripe. strawberry lips, ripping
blonde hair, and complexion like
wax.
She was half sitting, half reclining
on messy bank in the shade of some
hazel bushes. and it needed but that
first startled glance TO assure the
young man that she was in trouble OF
some sort. In an instant he had
ieaped to the ground. rushed to her
side. and was asking anXiously:
what is the matter, miss? Are
sou hurt?'
Her big frightened eyes scanned his
face earnestly for few Hateful sec
onds as he bent over her, and then she
pain: "Oh, my ankle! I'm afraid it's
broken"
Her head dropped back, her eyes
closed, and she looked SO white and
lay SO motionless, that Ray felt sure
she had tainted.
"You must think me very silly. Sir"
and a Pickering smile parted the
tempting lips. But I'm not used to
pain. and such an arrant coward"
"Pray. don't speak of it, Ray inter-
rupted. more earnestly than he was
aware. But if you will tell me what
can do to serve you l shall be much
obliged
"My friends will be dreadfully
frightened"
''Shall 1 find them and send them to
you:"
"And leave NE here alone until they
can be broughtw she cried in Il dis
mayed voice. "Oh. no. no." Observ-
ing his wondering stare. she added:
Il must have lain here an hour already
slipped OH some rocks just beyond
this hazel hedge. but managed to
Won don't know how dreadful it is
the loneliness and the-the-pain.
mean! I was getting more nervous
and hysterical every minute
"Never mind won't leave YOU" he
said, reassuringly. But I suppose
something must he done. If you could
only ride my horse. now"
'How good you are!" she ex-
claimed, lifting face in which smiles
I were already chasing away the tears.
"Yes. I'm sure 1 can ride. and then
you need not leave HE"
The rose-red flush that crept up to
the softly flowing hair aided the SEN
tence more eloquently than words
could have done it.
care you strong enoEGh?'
ut isn't far. and would suffer any
thing rather than remain here"
Ray said no more. but raised her
slender figure in his arms as gently as
he could. and. after several awkward
attempts for even little woman of
eighteen is not burden to be de-
spisad-in any sense of the terml he
where she easily supported herself by
clinging to the pommel.
This is so nIce.' she said. quite
gleefully. II begin to feel like myself
again."
docs your ankle still pain you:"
"a little, but it is easier. I hope it
is only sprained. after ALL
Ray was gazing straight into her
pretty face, and had Enclosed his lips
to make some reply, when he paused.
startled by the ashen palIor that had
suddenly overspread her piQuant fea-
lures.
She was looking down the road with
frightened glare in her lovely blue
eyes. Turning in that direction to as
certain the cause of her alarm Ray
saw only a very pretty, stylish-look-
ing young lady in a dark-green gid-
ing habit. mounted on a gray mare,
who was slowly approaching.
you know that lady:' Ray
asked. 'Shall appeal to her for as
sistance:"
''Oh. no. no. no. Not for the world.
Her alarm was genuine. Ray saw
that very readily. so he only bowed
in reply. and stepped little to one
side for the newcomer TO pass: though
he did feel greatly surprised at his
protege's reluctance to have aught to
Go with the lovely stranger.
AS the latter drew nearer she ap
peared to look sharply at the little tab
ieau in the shadow of the hazel bushes
and contemptuous smile curled
her lip. 1t vanished instantly, how,
ever. when she had obtained an unob
structed view of Rays face, and. stop
ping short. she cried out, breathlessly
cray Braddon."
The name seemed to have escaped
her lips involuntarily. AS soon as il
was uttered q flush of annoyance
X mounted to her forehead.
do you know me-" exclaimed the
young man with dilating eyes.
''I-I-have seen your picture" the
lady stammered in reply.
a good deal startled. Ray was about
to question her further, when low
moan from his protege called him &c
her side. She was reeling in the, sad
die and could scarcely maintain hel
position.
I'm faint"' she gasped. Support
me-"
Thus commanded he could do no less
than offer his shoulder for her to lear
against and slip one arm about hel
waist.
She seemed TO recover rapidly.
They had not occupied this position
many consecutive seconds ere, reliev
ing herself. she again assumed an up