The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-04

tied" snapped A1vira, and down came
the window with a bang.
For a moment Silas stood as If root
ed TO the spot, his upturned fact gaz-
ing blankly at the closed window The
scraping noise of the wagon wheels
aroused him, and he fastened TO the
front of the house as Obadiah turned
the horse toward the road.
Il heard every word Alvira said,
Silas. an I don't blame her a mite, -
he said, AN if you'll drive us over to
the poorhouse, I'm ready to go
Without a word Silas climbed into
the wagon. careful not to waken jean
nette, who had fallen asleep as she
crouched in the bottom of the wagon,
her head against her grandfather's
| knee. Silently they rode out into the
gathering twilight. and no word was
spoken during the three-mile ride to
the town farm. A little later, when
the two homeless ones were comfort
ably sheltered. and the kind-hearted
matron had gathered the little moth
erless Jeanette into her arms, Silas
HolbroOk once more turned the mare
homeward. The night was dark and
gloomy, the road scarcely visible be-
fore them. With slackened reins they
logged slowly along, Silas' thoughts as
gloomy as the dreary night.
render hearted anu SLOW u AMER
was Silas Holbrook. vet once let the
spark be kindled. it blazed with fierce
wrath. And now feeling of hot re-
sentiment against Alvira burned with
in him. Bitterly he thought of her
cruel selfshness, and his own heart
hardened against her.
I've a good mind not to go home
at ALL" he muttered aloud.
As he spoke, low rumble of thun-
der. followed by a flash of lightning.
startled him. The mare SHE'D. then
sprang forward into the darkness. An
other peal, a binding flash; the wa
gon wheel struck a stone. and Silas
felt himself thrown violently to the
ground. Then he knew no more.
The heaviest thunderstorm of the
season took place upon the night fol-
lowing the dav of Obadiah Woods
auction. To Alvira Holbrook the night
was a memorable one. When she clos
ed her doors to Obadiah Wood and his
grandchild she had unwittingly closed
them against her husband also. AS
the night advanced and Silas did not
return Alvira grew a little anxious,
though her stubborn will would not
yield itself in the wrong.
Though not a timid woman, the ter
rife storm startled and unnerved her
and her anxiety increased as the hours
dragged on. At last, comforting her
self with the thought that no doubt.
Silas had found a shelter from the
storm, she went to bed to toss rest
lessly until morning At sunrise she
arose, and as she looked forth upon
the beautiful morning her eyes fell
upon the old gray mare still hitched
to the democratic wagon. standing
quietly in the dooryard. For a mo-
ment she gazed in dull surprise, then
stepping out she glanced around for
her husband. saying impatiently:
well, Silas Holbrook, if you haven't
given me a pretty scare, a-stayin out
till this time"
Her words seemed to die away into
the silence that followed. while the
mare took a step forward and looked
at her with big, reproachful eyes.
Then 1t was that a swift feeling of
terror took possession of her and her
heart sank like lead in her bosom.
Something had happened to Silas!
Always a woman of action, Alvira
quickly threw off that first numb feel
ing of terror. Quietly she led the mare
into the barn, removed her harness,
rubbed her down, and gave her her
breakfast. Then, returning to the
house, she went through her morning
tasks, with her usual alacrity.
A little later she harnessed the mare
into the buggy and started out in
search of her husband. Driving toward
the poorhouse, where she intended to
make inquiries, she met the village
doctor.
Good morning, Mrs. Holbrook," said
he, drawing in his horse as they met.
81 was about calling to see you to re-
lieve your mind in regard to your hus-
band. He has met with an accident.
His horse got frightened at the storm
last night, threw him from the wagon
and ran away. One of the farm hands
at the poorhouse found him insensible
by the roadside and carried him to the
house. His leg was broken and he was
badly bruised. They sent for me and
1 have set his leg and he is doing as
we'll as can be expected"
Then the doctor drove on, and Alvira,
her wifely sympathy and compassion
fully aroused, hastened along. All her
anger and bitterness fled before the
rush of pity that filled her heart, and
remorsefully she thought of her own
share in this disaster.
az want to see Silas!" she said, step