The Holly chieftain., 1904-05-27

dust and blood from the w.ite face
and smoothing back the curling locks
Why, it's John Burt, It's John.
Burt, papa" she exclaimed, tears
starting to her beautiful eyes. "WiIp
he die, Mr.. Burt? Will he die? Oh,
papa. is there nothing We can do?"
He will not die, my child" said
the old man in clear calm voice.
1T is written that he shall live these
many years.
Just as Dr. Randall arrived, John
fegained consciousness and begged
glass of water. Jessie and her father
waited anxiously for the physicians
verdict The old man appeared first,
and though he spoke not, his radiant
face tcld the story.
He is badly cut and bruised in sew
eral places, but no bones are broken"
said DR.. Randall. Jessie clapped her
hands for joy. He will be up and
about in a week"
Jasper was ready with the Burt
family carriage; and, leaving kind
ly message for the grandsire, they re-
turned to the Bishop house. Jessie
found that she had few bruises, but
she laughed at her aches, and talked
only of the heroism of brave John
Burt The next day she sent him a
beautiful bunch of roses, and another
each succeeding day until word came
from DR.. Randall that the young man
was able to sit up and might receive
visitors. They drove to the farm
house and were ushered into the
library-John's study-room for seven
years.
General Garden advanced and
grasDed Johns hand. My boy, God
bless you. | do not know how to
thank you. Jessie, have you nothing
to say to the young man who saved
your life?"
Il never thought" said Jessie,
placing her hands in his, that the
boy who taught me how to catch
crabs would one day save my life.
But you know | always told Miss NAL
den that you weren't riffraff, and you
see | was right"
John looked handsome as he lay
back in the great armchair. I'm
glad had a chance to be of service
to one | had met before he said, as
Jessie took seat beside him;
though confess | should not recog-
nize you as the little girl who visited
here several years ago. You are a
young lady now, and | should hardly
dare address you as Jessie, and that's
the only name knew you by in those
days"
Il am not yet sixteen, and you can
call me Jessie until | tell you not to.
Can't he, papa"
"r suppose So said General Car
den. she is a spoiled child. Mr.
Burt turning to the old gentleman,
"and | have ceased making rules, lest
she should break them"
During The hour which followed
| Jessie and John talked of a score of
| topics, John deftly turning the con-
versation from the runaway accident.
| How dainty. yet how healthy, Jessie
| looked, The July sun had begun its
etching CT tan. The slender neck,
| where the brown tresses protected it.
| was dazzling, shading away to cheek
| and brow in blendings of cream, pink
and tan, which detied touch of brush
| or skill of words. The arched eye
brows and the dark silken lashes
framed eyes which glowed with the
| smouldering fires of dawning woman
| hood. The mouth was not too small,
and the lips were ruddy as ripe cher,
ries.
Ard this was the being he had
saved from mutilation against the
cruel rocks, As he looked at her
heard the ripping music of her voice
and felt the subtle inspiration of her
| presence, the thought came that there
was something selfish in his joy and
| pride.
What was it? Is love selfish?