Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-24
IN CIR ZEN
 FIELDS a Ss
By BELLE e1AN1ATEs
toopyright, loo4. by raily Story Pub. O.,

IT IS truism that the trend of life | hangs on the turn of a step, but in this case the fate of Elsie Clarke waited on the turn of an automobile, which was whirling around the curves of country road at breakneck speed.
 On the front seat were the owner of the automobile, Walter Earle, and his wife-a comfortably and contentedly married couple who were doing all in their power to bring about a match be- tween Elsie Clarke and Arthur Wynne, the couple on the back seat. Tn fact. all the friends of these two young peo- pie had decided it was perfect match" and were using all their endeavors to further 1t.
 There was no trouble as far as Wynne was concerned. He was in love with the fair young woman to the full extent of his placid, well-regulated nature, while she was trying hard to reason herself into reciprocity. She told herself over and over that he possessed every quality of eligibility. He was of good form and feature, we'll endowed with worldly possessions; habits, moral manners and disposition, excellent After one of these mental enumerations of his re- quisites, she would decide to accept him, but the moment she was in his presence, she felt antagonistic to the fate await ing her. He clearly bored her, and she skfllfully warded off his proposal. The simple solution of the situation was that she was not in love with him, and that love never would respond to reasoning. k %- odry fc argument to his supporters, for she in tuitively felt they would consider love an obsolete emotion. Finally she had come to believe that, since she had met so many men, and none had awakened the grand passion, the fault must lie in her, and that she was not capable of fall- ing in love
 She felt that this day and ride was to be the eohsilrn nation of the affair ana that 1t was purposely planned by the Earles and Wynnes. They were now, at the close of an early summer afternoon, en route to a country inn several miles distant where they were to dine, after which she knew the Earles would dis creetly vanish for a stroll on the lake shore, leaving her alone with Wynne and her fate. The coming ordeal oppressed her She felt her opposition oozing, and feared she would yield to his quiet, we'll modluated entreaties.
 "Oh, If something anything would only happen!" she thought.
 Was the wish father to the thought? [? Something did happen. A whirlpool of sand, the deadly foe of automobiles, att tackled the wheels. The road was narrow "a steep embankment on either sYde, a brook below. Earle was an expert as chaffeur, but no human power under the conditions could have prevented the quick swerve and the headlong pitch over the embankment.
 Elsie dimly felt that strong arms were carrying her over road and green fields. She vaguely wondered if it was Arthur who was carrying her thus. She opened her eyes and looked into strange face that was bending anxiously and tender iy over.
 "John," she murmured with faint smile, as she contentedIy sank back into inconsistencies.
 The accident had occurred near the well-kept farm of William Mofford. His son, John Mofford, was walking down the road toward the automobile when 1t took the awful plunge. He rushed down the bank expecting they were all killed. The automobile had upset, providentiai- ly on the very edge of the brook Earle was already helping his wife to arise, and they had only sustained a few bruises. Wynne appeared to be all right, unless his wrist was sprained. The doc tors quick glance wandered from these stunned, frightened people and fell upon the motfonless form of the most beauti- full girl he had ever seen She had been thrown some little distance Tn mo- ment he had her in his arms and calling to the others to follow, he started for the house. i sg
 As he came up the old-fashioned gar den in front of the farm house, and her beautiful, fong-lashed eyes looked vaguely into his, he had new, strange sensation, and a fierce jealousy was born within him towards "John," whoever he might be. Was it that pale-faced fellow who. was following, hanging on to his wrist?
 The Moffords and the farm hands had all come to meet them, and his mother tuSLduLly TGIuTA0Q to the mousse CO make ready the west bedroom.
 Right in here, John," she said, 1ead- ing the way to the big, cool room. He laid his patient down on the white, billowy bed, and proceeded to. learn the extent of her injuries.
 ''Is she badly hurt, John 2" asked Mrs Mofford, anxiously.
 Her arm is broken, but she will come out all right" he said, hopefully, as he cut away her sleeve.
 Don't let the others come in here, 7 he said, hearing excited voices in the ad- joining room.
 His mother locked the door and re- turned to the bedside. He deftly set the broken arm and left his patient to his methers administrations.
 | When he came out. he was besiege&