Year: 1873

lence, when Mark, throwing himself a
little out of the perpendicular in Mary s
direction, said:


Miss Mary, 1 wish to say few
words to you upon subject deeply in
teresting to me, and which 1 dare to
hope is not entirely indifferent to you. "


He paused and Mary Enthusiastically
shrank away without reply, at which IA
look, half triumph half pain, came into
his face for, spite of his propriety,
Mark Eldon had heart and Mary
filed all of it that he could spare from
himself. The silence lasted Il moment,
then he continued


"Mr. Markham has been good enough
to tell you of my feelings which could
have been no secret, and it only re-
mains for me to say myself that L love
you, and ask you to be my wife"


He actually leaned over her as he
said this, and his eyes were really ten
der. Poor Mary had reached the ex-
treme limit of her seat, and could only
sit and feel his breath upon her cheek
till she found voice to reply:


Mr.. Eldon, my guardian, informed
me of the honor you would do me, and
l presume before this he has told you
my answer. will be your wife l can
not say that l love you but as my
guardians trusted friend. l respect
you, and if this will satisfy you, 1 will
do my duty by you as faithfully as lies
in my power.


They were nearing the meeting place,
and rs Mary CEASED speaking the jingle
of bells and merry laughter fell on their
ears. Mark bent over and kissed her
quickly, and by the time he had as
sumed his proper position they were in
the midst of the laughing, merry party.
There was the usual greeting, confu-
sion and good natured discussing, and
then the whole party dashed away, as
merrily as though care were thing un
known. The destination of the party
was place about ten miles distant,
where they were to warm themselves
and return to Markham House in time
for supper and the evenings gayety.


They reached the place safely, the
reeking horses had cooled off in their
blankets, the blooming girls had deep
ened their roses by the glowing stove
over hot coffee, and stood waiting in
their mutflers to begin their homeward
journey. One by one they were snugly
packed into their sleighs by anxious
swains, and the party started away again
over the snow, now dabbled here and
there by the crimson stains of the set
ting sun Mary and Mark were about
the middle of the train. They had
travelled nearly mile when one of the
rear sleighs suddenly broke out of line,
and endeavored to pass them, striking,
as it did SO, the back of their sleigh, and
nearly overturning it. Mark instantly
passed the reins to one hand, and seized
Mary with the other, at the same time
throwing his weight on the opposite
side of the sleigh and righting it. 1t
was but the work of a moment, bnt that
moment was too long. The horse,
very spirited animal, sprang forward as
soon as he felt the reins loosened, and
before Mark could get him in hand
again, he had taken the bit, and was
plunging away at mad rate. Without
word or cry, Mary clung to her seat,
and Mark struggled bravely with the
horse !; but in vain he could no more
control him than the wind. On, on
they went, till suddenly, striking con-
cealed stone, the sleigh turned over,
throwing Mary out on the snow, but
Mark, being entangled with the robes
and reins, was dragged on with the We
hicle. On, on, still faster, till suddenly,
above the clash of the bells, shrill
whistle rang out, curdling the very air
But few yards ahead lay the railroad,
and down it came laundering an ex-
press train, at q rate that would catch
and grind both horse and man to atoms,
unless the hand of Providence itself
stopped them before they reached it.
On dashed the horse. On, on came the
iron monster, while cries of horror rose
from the sleighs following. Nearer,
nearer A moment more and Mark
Eldon would be in eternity, when like
flash man sprang from the shadow of
bush, and seized the flying horse by
the bride. The animal reared and
plunged, dragging the man from his
feet, but he clung to him with sn iron
grip, and forced him back till the train
went laundering by. The other sleighs
soon came up. The horse was secured,
and Mark taken from the ruins. Mary
had been picked up, and found but
slightly hurt but Mark presented a
sorry sight, cut and bleeding, and
wholly insensible. Fortunately house
was near they carried him to it, and in
a short time he revived. He looked va
cantly about him IL moment, and then
seeing the physician at his side, he mo-
toned him to lean near him. He did
so, and in an eager whisper Mark
asked:


cam 1 badly hurt? Will L die %


cor course not, my dear fellow" re.
piled the doctor, with the professional
cheerfulness the occasion demanded.
" You will be all right i'll II few days.


But Mark looked sternly at him.


"This is no time for jesting, doctor
tell me truly, as you expect one day to
die"


The doctors face grew grave.


81 cannot say, Eldon. You are hurt
badly. You may recover, and few
hours may end all. F"


A groan burst from Mark, and he
closed his eyes, A moment, and he
opened them, and looking eagerly
around, said


"Mary Where is she? Is she hurt?'


Mary came to the bedside and took
his hand. His eyes lighted as he looked
at her, and turning again to the doctor,
he asked, appealingly:


Am L so very bad 2


The doctor shook his head. He
looked at Mary, and his face worked as
though moved by fearful struggle.
The doctor held a stimulent to his lips.