Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-01-16

Meanwhile, with the prospect OF soIni
home, Maddy had grown quiet, and dit
not refuse the temporary supper OF but
tered toast, mullins, steak, and hot coffee
which Guy ordered from the small hote
just in the rear of the depot. 1t wai
after nine ,re John appeared, his crisg
wool powdered with snow which cluna
to his outer garments, and literally Gov
cred his cap.
TWAS mighty Deep" he said, bowling
to Maddy, land the wind was getting
colder. Twas hard time Miss CLYDE
would have, and hadn't she better waitE'
No, Maddy could not wait, and stand'
ing up she suffered Guy to wrap her
cloak about her, and fasten more secure
ly the long, warm scarf she wore around
her neck.
Drive close to the PLATFORM" he said
to John, and the covered sleigh was soon
brought to the point designated Now,
then, Maddy, l won't let you run the
risk of covering your feet with snow.
shall carry you myself" Guy said, and
ere Maddy was fully aware of his inten'
tions, he was bearing her to the sleigh.
Very carefully he drew the soft, warm
robe about her, shielding her as well as
he could from the cold; then pulling his
own fur collar about his ears, he sprans
in b.. side her, and, closing the door be-
hind him, bade John drive on.
But, Mr. Remington" Maddy exclaim'
ed in much surprise, surely you are not
going too? You must not. 1t Is ASKING
too much. 1t is more than l expected
Please don't CO."
Would you rather l should not--that
is, aside from any inconvenience 1t may
be to me-would you rather 60 aloneF
Guy asked. and Maddy replied:
"Oh, no. was dreading the long RIDE
but did not dream of your going. You
will shorten it so much
Then | shall be paid for going was
Guys response, as he drew still more
closely around her the fancy buffalo robe.
The roads, though badly drifted in some
places, were not as bad as Guy had rear
ed, and the strong horses kept steaolly
on while Maddy, growing more and more
fatigued, at last fell away to sleep, and
ceased to answer Guy. For time he
watched her dropping head, and then care
fully drawing it to him, made it rest upon
his shoulder, while he wound his arm
around her slight figure, and SO support
ed her.
Occasionally there fitted across Guys
mind a vague, uneasy consciousness that
though the act was, under the circum-
stances, we'll enough, the feelings which
prompted it were not such as either the
doctor or Lucy would approve. But they
were far away; they would never know
unless he told them, as he probably
should, Of this ride on that wintry night;
this ride, which seemed to him so short
that he scarcely believed his senses when,
without once having been overturned or
called upon to use the shovels so thought
fully provided, the carriage suddenly came
to a halt, and he knew by the dim light
shining through the low window that the
red cottage was reached.
Grandma Markham was dying. but she
knew Maddy, and the palsied lips worked
painfully as they attempted to utter the
loved name; while her wasted face light
ed up with eager joy as Maddy's arms
were twined about her neck, and she
felt Maddy's kisses on her cheek and
brow. Could she not speak? Would
she never speak again? Maddy asked de-
spairingly, and her grandfather replied
Never, most likely. The only thing
she's said since the shock was to call
your name She's missed you despatly
this winter back, more than ever before.
| think. SO have we ALL but we would
not send for you-Mr. Guy said you was
learning so fast"
"Oh, grandpa, why didn't you? would
have come so willingly" and for an in
stant Maddy's eyes flashed reproachfully
upon the recreant Guy, standing aloof
from the little group gathered about the
bed, his arms folded together, and
moody look upon his face.
He was thinking of what had not yet
entered Maddy's mind, thinking Of the
future, when the aged
form upon the bed should be gone, and
the two comparatively helpless men be
left alone.
But it shall not be. The sacrifice is
far too great. | can prevent it, and |
will" he muttered to himself as he turn
ed to watch the gray dawn breaking in
the east.
IT. ha oopt;nuadl