Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-10
snow moved in the town.

snow moved in the town.
I dressed myself in my warmest gar
ments, and lighted a lantern. BY this
time everything in the inn was fast
asleep. Softly I stepped out Of the
weather. beaten door, and, through the
clamorous night started Off to find
DR.. Vandine.
The wind cut like knife, the snow
flew in binding clouds. Being slender
and not overstrong, could not at first
make much headway against the tenn
pest. It snatched away my breath, 1t
beat and buffeted me. 1t blew me ABOUT
like a weathercock. But my resolu-
tion increased as my body grew weak.
1 clutched my lantern and struggled
along.
The town was soon left behind me,
the road became a vague, gray track,
which the snow was fast blotting out.
In the near darkness roared the sea.
All around were dreary creeks and
lonesome marshes, solitude and bitter
silence, and not so much as a light
anywhere to relieve the gloom.
Presently I stopped in the whirling
snow, filled with sudden shame and
CONSERVATION. What would he think
of me? What right had I to sally
forth like this, in search of him, be-
cause he had failed to return to Cats
Tavern at the appointed time? Was
bold, unmaidenly? was about to
turn back discounted, when I heard
a loud tramp and a horse dashed by
me In the darkness and disappeared in
the direction Of the town.
My heart leaped into my throat.
The lantern had shown full upon the
ANIMAL recognized him as the prop
erty of DR.. Vandine, and he was rider
less.
Fear gave me fresh strength. I flew
forward like a wild creature, lifting
my voice and shouting his name as I
went on.
"Oh, DR.. Vandine," cried, 1T Is L
Polly! Do you hear me-can you an
swer? Are you anywhere near?"
But there was no answer.
1 crossed bridge that spanned an
arm of the creek, and on the other
side, at a sharp curve in the way, I
found him stretched on the snow, the
thick flakes falling fast upon him, his
white face upturned to the midnight
sky.
I put my lantern down and knelt by
his side He lay like one dead. CALL
ed his name. but he was past reply
ing. Fortunately in the pocket Of his
coat I found a little flask of brandy.
took his head on my lap-how heavy
and helpless 1t was-and forced a few
drops of the fiery liquor between his
lips. Then 1 drew the gloves from his
icy hands, and chafed them in my
own. At last he opened his eyes in a
bewildered way, and, by the lantern
light, looked straight up into my bend
ing face.
Great God!" he groaned; "is 1t you,
Polly?"
eyes," I answered, as steadily as I
could. Can help you to rise?"
/ He made an attempt to lift himself
up, but fell helplessly back.
MY horse stumbled and fell with
me-fell upon me-" he gasped; Il had
concluded that I must lie here and
freeze to death. What brought you
to my help, poor child?"
II felt something was wrong" I fall
tered, because you did not come back
to the inn, as you promised, and so I
set forth to seek you."
Heaven bless you, Polly. And now
what Is to be done?-I cannot move
every bone in my body seems frac-
tured. A few rods back on the road
you'll find a house,
His voice failed. Overpowered with
the intense cold and the pain Of his
injuries, he fell back unconscious.
The house Of which he spoke was a
half-mile beyond the bridge. Before
many minutes was beating on the
door. and calling loudly for help.
Luckily for the injured man, who lay
perishing in that wild midnight, help
was there.
Strong men carried DR.. Vandine
home to Cats Tavern. and the inmates
of the house arose from their slum-
bers to minister to his pressing needs.
He has sustained a compound frac-
ture of the leg" said Mercy Poole,
dryly; II wonder what disaster We
may look for next, Polly?"
All, 1 never dreamed Of the one that
was waiting, even then, at the door"
(To Be Continued)