The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-01

sleeve across his wet brow. 81 hadn't |
ought to have LETT him."
Don't scare the girls" whispered |
the other; then in louder tone: "All
I'm afraid of is that he'll get blown to
pieces or catch his death Of cold. That's
all there is to worry about. They
wouldn't try II again so soon after last
night. I'm not botbering about that;
not at all. That needn't worry any
body"
But this morning.
"Pshaw, He's likely home and dry
by this time. All foolishness. Don't
be an old woman
The two men re-entered the room
and found Helen clinging to Minnie's
hand on the sofa. She looked up at
them quickly.
do you think-do you-what do
you
Her voice shook so that she could not
go on.
The Judge pinched her cheek and pat
ted It Il think he's home and dry, but
I think he got wet first. That's what i
think. Never you fear. He's a good
down, Lige. You can't 90 for awhile"
Nor could he. II was long, long while
before he could venture out. The storm
ragged and roared without abatement
1t was Carlow's worst since 81, the
old gentleman said. They heard the
great limbs crack and break outside,
while the thunder pealed and doomed,
and the wind ripped at the caves till
1t seemed as II the roof must go. Mean
while the Judge, after some apology, Lit
his pipe and told long stories OF the
storms of early days and Of odd freaks
of the wind He talked on calmly, the
picture of repose, and blew rings above
his head. but Helen saw that one Of
his big slippers beat an unceasing little
tattoo on the carpet She sat with fix
ed eyes, in silence, holding Minnie's
hand tightly, and her face was color
less, growing whittier as the slow hours
dragged by.
Every moment Mr.. willetts became
more restless. He assured the ladies
he had no anxiety regarding Mr.. Hark
less. 1t was only his own dereliction OF
duty that he regretted. The boys
would have the laugh on him, he said.
But he visIbly chafed more and more
under the judges stories and constant
ly rose to peer out OF the window into
the wrack and turmoil. and once or
twice he struck his hands together with
muttered CALCULATIONS. At last there
was a lull In the fury without, and as
soon as it was perceptible he announced
his intention OF making his way into
town. He had ought to have went
before" he declared apprehensively.
and then, with immediate amendment.
OF course he would find the editor at
work I'm the Herald Office. There
wasn't the slightest doubt OF that, he
agreed with the judge, but he better
see about II. He would return early in
the morning and bid Miss Sherwood
goodby. Hoped she'd come back some
day; hoped 1t wasn't her last visit TO
Plattville. They gave him an umbrella.
and he plunged into the night, and as
they stood for a moment at the door.
| the old man calling after him CHEEKY
good nights and laughing messages TO
| Ha-kless, they could see him fight with
his umbrella when he got out into the
| road
Helen's room was over the porch, the
| windows facing north. looking out up
on the pike and across the fields.
| please don't light the lamp. Minnie.
she said when they had gone upstairs.
Il don't need it, Miss Briscoe was
fitting about the room hunting for
matches. In the darkness she came to
her friend and laid a kind, large hand
on Helen's eyes, and the hand became
wet. She drew Helen's head down on
her shoulder and sat beside her on the
bed.
Sweetheart, you mustn't fret" she
soothed in motherly fashion. Don't
you worry, dear. He's all right II
isn't your fault. dear. They wouldn't
come on a night like this"
But Helen drew away and went to
the window. fiattening her arm against
the pane, her forehead pressed against
her arm. She had let him go; she had
let him 60 alone She had forgotten the
danger that always beset him. She had
been so crazy; she had seen nothing
thought of nothing. She had let him
go into that and into the storm alone
Who knew better than she how crue
they were. She had seen the fire lear
from the white blossom and heard tbs
ball whistle, the ball they had meant
for his heart-that good. great heart
She had run to him the night before
Why had she let him go into the un
known and the storm tonight? Bu
how could she have stopped him? How
could she have kept him after what ht
had said? He had put it out Of hel
power to speak the word "Stayw She
peered into the night through distort
ing tears.
The wind had gone down little. bu
only little, and the electrical fiashe:
danced all round the horizon in mag
nificent display, sometimes far away
sometimes dazingly near. the darkness
doubly deep between the interval
when the long sweep of fat lands la.
In dazzling clearness. clean cut in tn
washed air to the finest detail of strick
en- field and heaving woodland.
A staggering flame Glove earth AM
sky. and sheets of light echoed IL. an
a frightful uproar shook the house AM
ratified the easements. but over tn
crash OF thunder Minnie heard he
friends loud scream and saw he
spring back from the window wit
both hands. palms outward. pressed {
her face. She leaped to her and thre'
her arms about her.
"what is itI''
Look" Helen dragged her TO th
, window "At the next fash. II
fence beyond the meadow"
= What was St? What was II likei
The lightning flashed incessantl.
LII. l..a.. .annl