The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-08-23
:. The :.
Governors;
Pardon
Story Of a Man Who Show
ed Himself Brave and True.
BY AGNES c. sRoeAN.
Copyright. 1915. by American Press
ISOLATION.


for three days. and the long. low house
at the edge of the woods was almost
buried from sight.
A tall young man wearing fur lined
overcoat was busily engaged in remov-
ing heavy drifts from the wide veran-
das and In tunneling . pathway 10 the
door. A great 81. Bernard dog watch
ed the performance with digntied ap-
proval.
IL was strange house 10 be placed
alone in all this vast expanse of snowy
landscape. built Of logs, yet with white
pillars supporting the veranda and
over the doorway a rustic sign bear
ing the words. The Bungalow" Be
hind the house. also built Of logs, was
garage or small stable.
The man stopped his labor to pat
the dogs head. NO walk for US to-
day. old man." he said. I'VE must
content ourselves with rereading the
day before yesterdays paper"
The dog followed his master into the
house, one long room of which reached
from end to end. The man threw
more logs into the fireplace and as the
day grew darker lit a great lamp and
glanced again at the discarded paper
as though longing for the sound Of a
human voice. He read aloud. and the
dog tapped his tail understandingly.
Here is a society notice Laddie We
can't get away from society. you see
though We live in snowy solitude:
Miss Antoinette Marion Drew has left
town for two or three weeks rest
Upon her return invitations will be is
sued for her marriage TO Governor
James P. White And, after the strenu-
Gus work Of landing Governor White,
Laddie, no doubt Miss Drew. whoever
she may be. deserves rest
The man yawned and east the paper
from him.
A loud knocking echoed through the
house. He hesitated a moment. then.
frowning. opened the door. A girl
stood before him in the lamplight Il
girl with white face pcepins out from
the scarlet hood of her cloak.
May | come iny she asked. 1--WE
have lost our way. and ii is so very
cold"
Certainly" the man responded;
"come in at once. You said we" He
e'ered questiouingly into the darkness.
My horse" the girl explained.
ave you any place 10 put poor Billy
until we are warmed and rested?'
IF you will step in the man said,
81 will attend to the horse presently"
The girl seated herself before the fire
as he drew on his overcoat and lighted
lantern. Fortunately there are a
stable and some fodder" he said. "and
IL Billy does not object to stale meal
we may make him fairly comfortable"
The girl removed her cloak and set
tied back into the leather chair with
sigh Of comfort as the cheering
warmth brought the rose color flooding
back to cheeks and lips.
She told him that she was staying
with Aunt Martha and Uncle Ben
down near the village. He remember
ed the old red farmhouse which she
described and offered to drive her safe
ly there when the storm had abated.
but the wind ratified the windows and
shook the house to its very founda-
ton, and later when he had forced the
horse and sleigh to the roadway he
staggered back blindly through the
pelting ice to the house.
"You can't CO." he told the girl, who
stood ready in her scarlet cloak. ut
would be impossible tonight. There is
just one thing to be done-you must
stay here with Laddie, who will guard
you well. while the horse and viii try
to find our way to the farmhouse to
assure your people Of your safety. IL
| should not return until morning you
must not be alarmed You must keep
warm, and. above all things, do not
let the fire die out" He turned TO look
at her as she still sat silent. II am
sorry that you must do this" he add
ed sorry TO leave you alone.
The girl came and stood looking up
at him. You must not think Of me-
she said. us 1t safe for you to co."
quite safe" he answered smilingly.
Impulsively the girl put forth her
hand, and the man clasped 1t. Good
night" she said we will be anxious
~ waiting for you. Laddie and l."
81 have been examining the doors
and windows" the girl replied, land
am afraid It means that we are snow
ed in"
When the morning dawned he re-
turned from a fruitless search. He
slept till 0 o'clock and. noticing that
the house was dark. asked the girl
what ii meant.
The man hurried about the house.
looking In vain for g!immer OF light
from the outside. Presently he came
back to her. II am afraid 1t is true"
be said. "You wonderful girl, do you
take all your misfortunes so happilyr
The girl laughed merrily. you can
not tell fibs successfully, but l am
very sure that Aunt Martha will not
worry. 1t isn't her nature. She will
know / have fetched up somewhere
Early in the afternoon they sat, one
on either side OF the fireplace, the dogs