Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-01-16
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glancing anxiously around for the usual
omnibus, which she had little hope would
be there on such a night If not, what
should she do? This had been the burden
| of her thoughts for the last few hours,
for she could not expect Guy to send out
his horses in this fearful storm, much less
to be there himself. But Guy was there,
and it was his voice which first greeted
her as she stood half blinded by the snow,
| uncertain what she must do next.
"Ah, Mr.. Remington, l didn't expect
this. l am so glad, and how kind it was
of you to wait for me!' she exclaimed,
her voice expressing her delight, and amp
ly repaying the young man, who had not
been very patient or happy through the
six long hours waiting he had endured.
But he was both happy and patient
now with Maddy's hand in his, and press
ing it very gently he led her into the la
dies room then making her sit down be-
fore the fire, he brushed her snowy gar
ments himself, and dashing a few fakes
from her dsordered hair, told her what
she so eagerly asked to know. Her grand
mother had had a paralytic stroke, and
the only word she had uttered since was
'Maddy." Guy had not been down him
self. but had sent Mrs. Noah as soon as
Farmer Green had brought the news. She
was there yet he said, the storm having
detained her.
And grandma Maddy gasped, fixing
her eyes wistfuly on him. ''She is not
dead?"
No, Guy answered, and asked IL he
should not remove from the dainty little
feet resting on the stove hearth the over
shoes, so full Of melting snow. Maddy
cared little for her shoes, or herself, just
then. She hardly knew that Guy was
taking them off. much less that, as he
bent beside her, her hand lay lightly
upon his shoulder as she continued her
questionngs.
"She is not dead, you say but do you
think-does anybody think she'll die?
Your telegram said dying"
Maddy was not to be deceived, and
thinking it best to be frank with her,
Guy told her that the physician, whom
he had taken pains to see on his way to
the depot, had said there was no hope.
Old age and an impaired constitution pre-
cluded the possibility of recovery, but he
trusted she might live till the young lady
came.
She must-she will /! Oh. grandma,
why did | ever leave her?' and burying
her face in her hands, Maddy cried pas
sionately. while the last three years of
her life passed in rapid review before her
which she had spent in lux
urious ease, leaving her grandmother to
toll in the humble cottage, and die at the
last, it might be, without one parting
word for her.
The feeling that perhaps she had been
guilty of neglect was the bitterest of all,
and Maddy wept on, unmindful of Guys
attempts to soothe and quiet her. At
last, as she heard a clock in the adjoin-
ing room strike eight, she started up, ex-
claiming Il have stayed too long. | must
go now. Is there any conveyance heret"
But, Maddy,' Guy rejoined you can
not go tonight. The roads between here
and Honedale are one unbroken snow
bank. 1t would take hours to break
through; besides you are too tired. You
need rest, and must come with me to Ak
enside, where you are expected, for when
l found how late the train would be, |
sent back word to have your room and
parlors warmed and a nice hot supper
to be ready for us. You'll surely go
with me, if l think best"
Guys manner was more like "a lover
than a friend, but Maddy was in no state
to remark it. She only felt an intense
desire to go home, and turning a deaf
ear to all he could urge, replied
You don't know how dear grandma
is to me, or you would not ask me to stay.
She's all the mother | ever knew, and l
must 60. Would you stay if the one you
loved best was dying?'
But the one | love best is not dying
SO | can reason clearly, Maddy."
Here Guy checked himself, and listened
while Maddy asked again If there was no
there as usual.
None but mine" said Guy, while Mad
dy continued family:
And you are afraid it will kill your
horsesT"
NO, 1t would only fatigue them great
ly; it's for you l fear. You've borne
enough to-day"
Then, Mr.. Remington, oh, please send
me. | shall die at Aikenside. John will
drive me, l know. He used to like me.
III ask him." and Maddy was going in
quest of the Aikenside coachman, when
Guy held her back, and said:
John will go if | bid him. But you,
Maddy, if l thought it was safe"
1T is. Oh, let me CO." and Maddy
grasped both his hands beseechingy.
If there was a man who could resist
the eloquent appeal of Maddy's eyes at
that moment, the man was not Guy Rem
ington, and leaving her alone, he sought
out John, asking if it would be possible
to get through to Honedale that night.
John shook his head decidedly, but
when Guy explained Maddy's distress and
anxiety, the negro began to relent, par
ticulary as he saw his young master, too,
was interested.
It'll kill them horses" he said. but
mabby that's nothn' to please the girl"
eff we only had runners now, instead
of wheels, john" Guy said, after a mo-
ment's reflection. Drive back to Aiken
side as fast as possible, and change the
carriage for a covered sleigh. Leave the
grays at home and drive a pair Of farm
horses They can endure more. Tell
Flora to send my travelling shawl. Miss
Clyde may need it, and an extra buffalo,
and my buckskin gloves. and take Tom
on with you. and a snow shovel we may
have to dig"
"Yes, yes, ] know" and tying his muf-
-. II &1 1T