The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-18

l
isn't your fault, dear. They wouldn't
come on a night like this"
] But Helen drew away and went TO
the window. nattening her arm against
the pane, her forehead pressed against
her arm. She had let him go; she had
let him go alone. She had forgotten the
danger that always beset him. She had
been no crazy; she had seen nothing.
thought Of nothing. She had let him
20 into that and into the storm alone.
Who knew better than she how cruel
they were. She had seen the fire leap
| from the white blossom and heard the
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 nm
known and the storm tonight? But
how could she have stopped him? How
could she have kept him after what he
had saidl Tie had put II out Of her
power 10 speak the word "Stayp She |
peered into the night through distort. |
ing tears.
The wind had gone down a httle, but
only little. and the electrical flashes
danced all round the horizon In mag |
nifcent display, sometimes far away, |
sometimes dazIngly near, the darkness
doubly deep between the intervals
when the long sweep Of fiat lands lay
In dazzling clearness. clean cut in the
washed air to the finest detail OF strick.
en- field and heaving woodland.
A staggering fame Glove earth and
sky. and sheets Of light echoed II, and
q frightful uproar shook the house and
ratified the easements. but over the
crash o; thunder Minnie heard her
friends loud scream and saw her
spring back from the window with
both hands, palms outward. pressed 10
her face. She leaped to her and threw
her arms about her.
what In itT
"Jeok" Helen dragged her to the
sIndow. AT the next nashl Ths
ence beyond the meadow"
What was III What was II iiker'
The lightning flashed necessarily.
Helen tried to point Her hand only
Jerked FROM side TO side.
Look" she cried.
Il see nothing but the lightning
Minnie answered breathlessiy.
"oh. the fence! The fencel And In l.
the neld~ Ii
Helen! What was It liker
"Ah, ahT' she painted. "A long line h
Of white looking things - horrible
white
What likei" Minnie turned from
the window and caught the others y
wrist In strong clasp.
Minnie. Minniei Like long white |,
gowns and cowls crossing the fence.' !,
Helen released her wrist from her
companton's grasp and put both hands
on MInnis's cheeks. forcing her around
to face the fickerlng pane. You must
look! You must lookF" she cried.
They wouldn't do III They wouldn't
1t isn'tr' Minnie shuddered. They :
come In the storm. They
wouldn't do 1t In the pouring rain"
"Yes! Such things would mind the ,
rain" She burst info hysterical laugh
ter, and Minnie seized her round the
waist, almost as unnerved as Helen.
yet trying TO soothe her. They would /
mind the rain" Helen whispered. !
They would fear a storm. Yes, yesi n
And l let him 90: let him gor'
Pressing close together, clasplns
zach others waist. the two girls peer :
I'd out at the landscape.
Look n
Up from the distant fence that bor- q
iered the northern side of Jones field b
\ pale. pelted. Happing thing reared .
Itself. poised and seemed. just as the 4
olackness came again. to drop to the 8
gpOu0d.
did you seer
But Minnie had thrown herself into =
/ deep chair with laugh OF wild re
lief. My darling girlr' she cried. =
Not line Of white things-just one :
dr. Jones' scarecrOw! And we saw II
,lown down.
"No. no, no! saw the others. They
we're in the Geld beyond. l saw them.
When looked the first time they were
learly all on the fence. This time we
aw the last man crossing. All, let
lin go aloner'
Minnie sprang up and infolded her.
No; you dear. imagining child, you're
pset and nervous, that's all the mat
er In the world. Don't worry; don't,
hid: it's all right. Mr. Harkless is
ome and safe in bed long ago.
now that old scarecrow ON the fence
Ike a book, and you're so unstrung
ou fancied the rest. He's all right
)on't you bother, dear"
The big, motherly girl took her COM
anion In her arms and rocked her
ack and forth Soothingly and petted
nd rcassured her and then cried a lit
o with her, as good hearted girl al
'ays will with friend. Then she left
er for the night. with many a cheer
lg word and tender caress. Get to
eep. any dear" she called through the
Dor when she had closed 1t behind her.
You must II you have to 60 In the