The state herald., 1912-11-22
couldn't get ten rods ii was to die

couldn't get ten rods II was to die
for It'll"
Miss Minnie had reached town and
mailed her letter and started bach
again when the storm broke. Before
1t came, she thought she could make
out human figure on the road ahead
of her. but wasn't sure. The very first
gust picked her up and turned her
around and deposited her under a
roadside tree. She remained there un'
til the gale began to whip the
branches off, and then let go her hold
and ran for It, There were limbs fall
ing all about her, and the hail-stones
peppered her until she ran almost
blindly. She hadn't gone quarter OF
mile when, as she crouched and Gov
cred her face, she was struck by
flying limb and knew no more.
1t was the dim sight of the girl and
the scream she uttered when hit. that
sent the man who was clinging to the
roadside fence back into the highway.
He bent over the unconscious form
and picked 1t up and staggered back
to the fence and followed 1t until he
saw light and found the gate Of
farmhouse. His lusty calls for helr
soon brought out man, and the
senseless burden was carried into the
house and received by woman.
Il don't know who she is. but
found her in the road" explained her
rescuer There is blood on her hair,
and think she was struck down"
Well do all we can,' replied the
man and the woman together. but
you mustn't look for much. We are
mighty poor folks. We hain't got no
camphor nor whisky, and as for get.
ting doctor out from town-it can't
be done tonight"
The girl was carried into the only
bedroom and laid on the only bed,
and when her wet clothing had been
removed and she was between the
sheets, the woman got cloth and a
basin Of water and washed away the
blood and whispered to the stranger:
Il don't think she's bad hurt. She's
Just tainted away with the scare of It.
When she opens her eyes I'll tell her
to go to sleep. and she'll be all right
in the morning"
DO you think it's some young lady
from the village?" asked the stranger
of the farmer as they talked In whis-
pers In the outer room.
mo. don't reckon so. I reckon it's
that new girl that arrived at Turner's
few days ago. ! saw her going to-
wards the village two hours ago."
arrived at Turner's! Say, man, are
you sure7 Is It a strange girl to the
neighborhood?
I've heard say It was Uncle Bob's
niece, and that she come from the
city. What ails you. stranger? Does
this storm upset you?"
1t wasn't the storm. Percy Kincaid
had quarreled with the girl he loved
and had asked to be his wife. II was
about nothing. almost. as most lovers
uuarrels are. but pride on either side
held on a reconciliation until the
lover finally learned that Miss Minnie
had gone on n journey and left no
word for him. She was going to spend
Thanksgiving week IN the country.
Within two days she had relented:
within three he was making every ef.
fort to locate her. that he might patch
up peace. He had succeeded. He
was going to throw himself on her
mercy and ask Uncle Robert for a
place at his Thanksgiving table.
The storm grew fiercer as the night
advanced. The girl woke and then
slept dreamless sleep. and the lover
had long hours in which to ponder
and think. When another day came
even tho cattle could not face the
storm nor man move from his door
II was Thanksgiving day. At Uncle
Roberts there was a feast to be
spread: at Bradley's there was hardly
better than poorhouse fare. But the
victim OF the accident was no longer
In bed. and the reAcuer no longer
cared about the weather. and the
farmer folks looked at each other and
smiled and whispered:
Even II we had turkey and Gran
berry sauce don't believe they'd en-,
n single mouthful They've Just sortei
found each other. and are tickled &c
death"
And when at last they could make
their way to Turner's, and Uncle Bot
suffered and Aunt Harriet cried for
Joy. Miss Minnie asked in a way that
WAS almost heartless:
why do you take on so7 ! never
had such lovely Thanksgiving in NIL
my llfel"
Copyright. 1915 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)