Charlevoix county herald., 1908-02-08

and fell in scarlet heap, with her
ankle so twisted under her that she
was utterly unable to rise. She heard
q sharp outcry as she went down, and
in horror she thought, He has mct
his DEATH"
But his cry had been for her-not for
himself--and when she cared look
around she saw that Robert had
turned the great animal, and was
fencing with him. Haunting the flag in
his face and-ever retreating before
him with the wiles and caution of an
experienced bull.figher-was enticing
the beast on and on in the opposite
direction from where she lay.
One misstep on that uneven ground
would mean certain and awful death.
and he knew it; yet he never swerved
or faltered. Unarmed agile, wary,
full of nerve and perfectly fearless
this was the man she had openly de-
nounced as a coward.
But what had happened now? Had
blind terror seized him at last? For
as he freed himself from the labyrinth
| of paths and swelling mounds, and
gained the level drive, Robert sudden
ly turned his back on the bull and
sprang fOrward--running as if for his
life-while the animal, with head
down, plunged after him, believing
! and gaining upon him at every step.
And so they passed. in an ugly vision,
out through the gate and from Neris-
sa S sight.
The next she knew the gate was
toward her, breath!ess. empty.handed
and unharmed.
"Nerissa, are you hurt?' he cried,
bending over her where she lay in
! huddled heap.
She was very pale and was trem-
bling pitifully, and now she began to
! sob quietly
ITS nothing-only my ankle
can't move--but it doesn't matter. ]
was SO afraid
Yes, ! know" he painted, as he lift
ed her into an easier position but
! there's no danger now-no, none at
all for she was clinging TO his hand
! like a child who is still afraid But
she hid her face, as if refusing to be
comforted.
"Oh--after that first mad moment
was not afraid-for myself she
sobbed at last 1T was for you-but
you feared nothing. could see that
and l had dared call YOU coward 1t
was the bravcst thing l ever knew
J n1 at l,nr .1-tth
prised and puzzled smile, for how can
mere man ever hope 10 gauge a
girls estimate Of his actions?
4 short distance beyond the cemo-
terry Nerissa saw an oX-cart, and asked
to he taken home in that.
So a bargain was made and soon
Nerissa was enthroned on a couch OF
hay
"But-won't you ride, too?' she
said
NO I will walk alongside
please ride; want you-beside
me- she murmured, and Robert with
a new light in his eyes. climbed in.
He carried her again from the OK
cart to the house. And then. for he
was physician. and it was Nerissa's
request that he should do So he
bandaged UP the aching ankle
Then once more he stood before her
and said "good-by.'
"But-vhy must YOU go away
now Nerissa asked. nervously as
she realized that in the amenGs she
. wished to make she was to have no
/ help.
because my arrangements are all
made and my word is given. | go to
start my life afresh in new place. 1t
is too late To change my mind now
/ even If | wished TO do So he said.
Did YOU think would care to stay
/ here-permanently-after what had
occurred"
Mo- suppose not she admitted
/ wistfully; still am sorry Then,
! holding fast by the remembrance that
he had that day declared he loved her
still, she shut her eyes and added.
! desperately: Robert, tell me this:
when YOU gave them your word you
would go-did you promise you would
! go-alonc?'
The news of Nerissa's reengage-
! ment 10 Robert Lea, and that she was
going away to begin life with him in
/ u western town, came like a thunder
/ bolt To Nerissas family and friends.
Well, Rob is a splendid fellow. and
we always said So but we thought
/ YOU thought him coward" they said.
'On the contrary. | know him to be
/ a brave man." said Nerissa
'Ye;, for he has that grand sort CT
moral courage which would make hirh
hold TO his own conviction OF right
/ against all the world-but still"
He has not only that courage, but
! the other sort as well. He has faced
I death upon the field--and proved his
courage"