Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-09-06

the chairs and tables We're broken and
~dilapidated.
How the wind blows. 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, Bessie!!" he ejaculat-
ed, and then stood gazing at her in
dumb amaZement, While she closed
the door, and came and stood before
him.
Frederick" 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 l dare ask
but you to go to him. 1t is a great deal
to ask, 1 know; but [ think l know
your heart better than anyone else
| does. and 1 shall trust to your courage
| 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.
1T is dreadful, I know. Frederick
nobody but she ever called him any
thing but Fred-'but I think [ can get
along" the wind nearly taking her
from her feet as she spoke.
'If might accompany YOU" be said,
hesitating. and adding, "if you are not
afraid OF being contaminated"
For answer, she put her hands in his,
co%nfidingly.
While she lived, Bessie Upton never
forgot the close, nervous clasp with
which he held he1 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 I have sent him to his
death. too" she moaned. sadly. cob.
if I could only know and see just where
they are!!'
If she could. she would have seen
a slight, determined figure, battling
with the strength of a giant against
the winds that disputed his progress
step by step. Falling sometimes over
PROSTATE trees. mon borne down by
sudden drifts of snow, vet struggling
on with undated zeal. till he 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.
Il 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.
ooh, Henry, he has tainted! And
seer
She grew suddenly white as she
pointed to 4 small stream of blood
that stained his shirt bosom, caused
by a sudden hemOrrhage from the
lungs.
1t was morning before they could get
a physician there. Wi!dburn had laid
-, ,, ,,.o,coio,c 4 tn oil 1,iobt. Int
the flow of blood had ceased, and they
thought it only the torpor of exhaus-
ton.
"Poor Fred.' Henry Upton said.
"there wa some good in him. after all.
I owe my life to his bravery, and l
shan't forget it in 4 hurry. I have been
thinking, Bessie. that l will take him
into the mill. and see if I can't make
something of him vet. l intend 10 re-
ward him handsomely for this"
The doctor came at last; but his
grave face told the story before he
opened his lips.
There is 10 chance for him to re-
cover" he said.
A little after noon the dying man
opened his eyes. and looked about him
Fred" Mr.. Upton said. feelinGly,
give not treated you as l 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.
Here. 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 a miserable life, l
know: but it's all I have to give, n
l would give it q hundred times over
to save you from sorrow" he said,
with a smile that glorifed his coarse
face. sit was my good right arm-the
arm you saved for me, you know, dear.
1 told you l should never forget, and
I never did. Nobody but you ever
trusted to the good there was in me
little enough there was. | know he
said. dreamily, his voice growing sud
denly weak.
Bessie was crying softly. He opened
his eyes. and gave one long, eager look
in bo, foon op6 in That YiStfuI 0nZp