Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-10-26

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some, I win give him credit for that.
won't go outside the gate for a
week; and | did not see the inside Of
the house after all. | wonder what he
is doing here. How funny 1t isl
, w1sn had seen him tumble out OF that
window; | always miss whatever il
worth seeing"
About fortnight after this, when
Naude concluded that the stranger
must certainly have gene away, she
renewed her rambles again. One day,
when crossing a marshy field, she
suddenly found herself sinking into
the mud. Instead Of turning back, she
went on, hoping to get through what
proved to be q treacherous slough,
but, sinking up to her knees, she be-
gan to feel frightened. So she stood
perfectly still, and began to scream
rs loudly as she could, which was
pretty loud. After awhile she heard the
sound of horses feet. Presently, gal
Ioping along the road, appeared the IN
evitable stranger, but Maude was toe
much frightened to care who 1t was that
tame to assist her.
ooh, won't you please help me out?"
Ihe meekly asked.
Springing quickly from his horse, the
gentleman vaulted over the fence, and,
rs he approached her, looked very much
rs if politeness alone restrained him
from hearty laugh, for Maude certainly
presented a droll picture stuck fast IN
the mud, annoyance, fear and humilia-
lion all expressed in her face. Yes, for
Dnce in her life, Maude felt completely
aumiliated, for, now that she was sure
If relief, fear soon gave place to moru-
acation, and she did not enjoy being In
an absurd position.
Without saying a word the stranger
lifted her out of the mud, and carried her
his arms to firm, reliable ground,
seeming rather to enjoy this part OF the
programme. There, raising one of her
tiny feet, which was now a shapeless
mass of black mud, she examined 1t
with such look of comical consterna-
ton that her companion, no longer able
to control his amusement burst into
peal of hearty laughter, in which she
soon joined.
81 will put you on my horse and lead
him to your abiding place" he said, al
be assisted her over the fence.
Maude made gesture of dissent; but,
pointing to her feet, he asked her, with
smile:
Would you not find it somewhat
difficult to walk? Do not refuse to let
me aid you"
So she allowed him to do as he wished,
and, taking the bride, he walked by her
aide. Just before they parted, he said;
Now, when you sit down to write In
your journal tonight, can imagine
lust what you will put there"
"oh, you can, Ell? Well, what?" she
asked.
'sYou will say: Met that everlasting
man again to-day land he looked up
in her face with an expression that made
her blush.
81 do not keep a journal" she replied;
II am not sentimental or romantic"
"Only mischievous and little cruel"
81 acknowledge the first, but not the
last. would not hurt ny"
Nor break heart"
'But could not help that, you know.
she said, SO demurely that he looked
very much amused.
AS he lifted her from the horse a
strangely embarrassed feeling stole over
Maude, for, as she said to herself after
ward. che certainly looked kiss II he
did not bestow it," but she gave him
very cordial invitation to call, which ne
accepted with unmistakable eagerness.
81 will go off and stay all day" she
said, but she did not do it. On the con-
trary. she dressed herself in the most
becoming manner, fastening two little
rosebuds in her hair, that made her look
more bewitching than ever, and re-
NAMED in the house all day. But she
was very restless, and not seeming at all
like her own merry self
The day passed, and, strange to re-
late, the expected visitor did not come.
The becoming dress, the lovely rose
buds we're worn to no purpose, and that
night poor Maude felt as she had never
felt before So depressed and low-spir-
tied. she thought that it must be home
sickness. but still did not dream OF 60
ing home The next day passed, and
then another, and the young girls home
sickness began to assume quite dan
gerous character. Finally, on the fourth
day. when Maude was sitting dejectedly
in her chamber, a sudden ring of the bell
set her heart beating desperately.
why, what is the matter with me?"
she exclaimed. Mother told me that
one of her aunts died with palpitation
Of the heart. l hope l am not going to
have that dreadful disease"
She was soon summoned to the parlor
to see Mr.. Gregory, as the card indi-
Gated, and. with the dreadful palpitation
Increasing every moment, she descended
the stairs and entered the room, looking
like a shy, timid schoolgirl. Awkward
1t was absolutely impossible for Maude
10 be, but her usual self-possession was
entirely gone. The stately stranger
seemed similarly affected, so that Tor
some time they talked only in embar-
raised monosyllables. Finally she
dropped fan that she was toying with,
and, both STOPPING at the same time to
pick it up, they knocked their heads to-
gether with stunning effect, so that,
when they again raised them, each one
looked so inexpressibly silly that both
burst into merry laugh. This restored
their self-possession at once, and, seat
ing himself beside her, he suddenly
asked:
"Maude, do you dislike me now"