The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-08-30

storm that kept him In. 1t was not q
pleasant home-there was that excuse
for him. The walls We're dlngy with
smoke, the floor was bare and dirty,
the chairs and tables were broken and
dilapidated.
"How the wind bIowsl This is the
third time
| He paused suddenly, for framed In
the door, the wind and snow whirling
madly about her slight figure, stood
Bessie Upton.
"Great Heaven, Bessiew he ejaculat-
ed, and then stood gazing at her in
dumb amazement, while she closed
the door, and came and stood before
him.
"Frederck,' she said, in her sweet,
firm voice, "Henry is out somewhere
in this storm. The horse has come
home alone. If he came the forest
road. he can never find his way home,
and he could not live till morning In
this storm. There Is nobody dare ask
| but you to 90 to him. 1t Is great deal
to ask, l know; but l think l know
your heart better than anyone else
does, and shall trust to your courage
and bravery in this dreadful emer-
gency."
| A fierce spasm of pain crossed his
face. Then he turned away without
speaking and took down his hat and
coat, and they walked together to the
door. He paused on the doorstep, look
ing wistfully down at her.
How can you get home?" he said.
| at Is dreadful, know. Frederick
nobody but she ever called him any
thing but Fred-"but think / can get
along" the wind nearly taking her
| from her feet as she spoke.
"If l might accompany YOU" he said,
hesltating, and adding, "if you are not
afraid of being contaminated"
For answer, she put her hands in his,
confidingly.
While she lived, Bessie Upton never
forgot the close, nervous clasp with
which he held her hands; but he took
her carefully and tenderly to her door,
and then turned away into the storm
and darkness.
One, two, three hours-and, oh, such
long, interminable ages as they
seemed!
Perhaps / have sent him to his
death, too" she moaned, sadly. "Oh,
if could only know and see just where
they arer'
If she could, she would have seen
slight, determined figure, battling
with the strength of giant against
the winds that disputed his progress
step by step. Falling sometimes over
prostrate trees, anon borne down by
sudden drifts Of snow, yet struggling
on with unabated zeal, till he comes at
last to a still, white figure lying across
the path, entangled and held down by
| the debris of broken wheels and tree
| limbs!
Two hours later, when poor Bessie
| had nearly given them both up for
dead. Fred Wildburn staggered into
the room, and laid her husband at her
feet.
II have fulfilled the trust" he said,
| family, and sank down beside Upton,
who was slowly rousing from the ter
rible chill and torpor that had over.
powered him.
"Oh, Henry! he has tainted! And
seew
She grew suddenly white as she
pointed to a small stream of blood
| that stained his shirt bosom. caused
by sudden hemorrhage from the
| lungs.
1t was morning before they could get
| a physician there. Wildburn had laid
in an unconscious state all night; but
| the flow of blood had ceased, and they
thought it only the torpor of exhaus-
| ton.
"Poor Fredv' Henry Upton said,
"there was some good in him, after all.
owe my life to his bravery, and l
shan't forget it in hurry. I have been
thinking, Bessie, that will take him
into the MILL and see If l can't make
something of him yet. l intend to re-.
ward him handsomely for this"
| Inc uOCIO1 CdUne III luSt, put Mo
grave face told the story before he
opened his lips.
"There is no chance for him to re-
cover" he said
A little after noon the dying man
opened his eyes, and looked about him.
Erred" Mr.. Upton said. feelingly,
"I've not treated you as I should have
done in times past, and I didn't de-
serve this at your hands. I want you
to forgive me, and"
"Bessie-where is Bessie?" he in
terrupted. family.
"IIere.. dear Frederick, here"
And she took his hands in hers, and
bent over him till he felt a warm tear
splash on his face.
"Oh. Bessie! it's miserable life,
know; but it's all I have to give, and
I would give it hundred times oveI
to save you from SORROW" he said
with smile that glorified his coarse
face. at was my good right arm-the
arm you saved for me, you know, dear
l told you l should never forget, and
I never did. Nobody but you evel