CHAPTER XII.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 137, 16 January 1886, Page 6

CHAPTER XII.

A GRATEFUL INVALID. Tiiky v ere all very lonely after the departure of Mr Noble and Annie. Mr Allen noticed Audrey's abstraction, and surmising something of the truth, proposed that they ppend a couple of weeks travelling and sight seeing. But Audrey languidly objected, paying; she preferred the quiet and. solitude of their mountain r»_ treat. But something happened to change this decision. A number of the neighbours planned an excursion to a neighbouring mountain, where they went every year to gather ra?pberue« for winter pve-eives, and, thinking it might be an enjoyable novelty to our city friends, they extended an invitation to them to accompany the party. Audrey and Rich wero quite sure they would enjoy it ; but Mrs Allen thought the distance too great and tho exertion too weaibome for ono of her yoava and preferred to remain at home. When the day arrived, however, Audrey was suffering from a nervous headache, and unable to leave her bed. Rich was greatly disappointed, and would gladly have remained at home with her, but, she insi?ted that he could dc hei no possible good — that he mu«t go ; so he finally, though reluctantly, consented There was a party of eight besides himself, four of whom wero young people. They worked busily all the fmenoon, and pails and basket-" were rapidly filled with tho fragrant, crimson fruit, and when tho dinner hour camo every one was hungry for the cold chicken, tongue, and ham, bread and cheese, and doughnuts, and all those homely dainties that never ta«te as well anywhere ol^e as they do in the country Then, as they lounged about, after they had dined, for an hour or so before resuming their berry-picking, Rich, boy-like, started off by himself upon an exploring expedition. He loved the mountains and forests : they inspired him with awe and reverence by their grandeur and strength. " They are the eternal hills, Aunt Audrey," he had said on the evening of their arrival at that Vermont farm-honpe, and drawing a deep bteath of appreciation, while his thoughtful glance went up to the summit of the verdure-crowned mountain^* before them. He loved to wander about, and was always hunting for some rare and beautiful trophy to take back to Miss Waldemar To-day he came across some lovely gray lichens, and knowing how delighted phe would be with them, he fashioned a little basket out of some slender twik's,decorating it, with partridge vines and berries, and then filled it with his treasures. ft was a dainty little woodland offering, and after it was completed he went on climbing the steep mountain side, until suddenly he emerged from the dense forest into a road. He looked surprised at finding himpolf upon the highway, while a little way below him he espied a horse and carriage drawn up upon one side of it, under the shade of a large tree. There was a lady sitting in the carnage alone, and leaning back among the cushions as it either weary or ill. The horse was very restless, for the flies were worrying him, but though the lady held the reins and spoke to him soothingly from time to time, he was still very impatient. Thinking that his assistance might be required, Rich advanced, and saw that the lady was an inyaiid. She had very dark glossy hair, large, beautiful black eyes, which, however, had a very sad expression. Rich lifted his cap politely as he came up to the carriage, while he asked, with heightened colour : ' ' Are you in any trouble, madam ; is there anything that I can do to help you ?" The lady leaned forward at the sound of his voice, and' smiled pleasantly upon him. as she replied : ' ' " " •

" There is nothing tho matter, thank you. only I was very thirsty, and my husband lelt mo beneath the ahrido of this tive, whih he wont back to a spring further down tho mountain, to got mo a dxink. It is vory kind in you to inquiio, however." "Theilies aro very troublesome," Rich ob^oived, stepping up to tho horse and brushing seveial of those tormentors from his sleek coafc " Yos, they have troubled him ever since we started this morning. We are travelling in our own carriage because I am not able to endure the fatigue ot a public conveyance. But what a lovely little basket I you havo thoro ; and whero did you find those rare lichens ?" she asked, her eyes brightening as the caught sight of Rich's treasures. " I gathered them on tho mountain eido and they axe very pretty, I think "' Then he added us the horse became still more restive : " Theic is a w eed that prows along theso mountain roads that will keep the (lies oft". May I get somo and put it in the bridle ?" "Yes, indeed do, if you are willing to take tho trouble," ehe responded, ea^orly. "I havo suffered all the morning tosco our poor Piincein such torturo " Rich carulully dopositGd his baskob where it could come to no harm, then stepped a-ido into tho bushes to break ?ome ot tho socalled ' mufr-quito's weod ' which there in abundance, and which ho hud seen the f armors of that region put about their horses to keep tho flies and other insects off As ho did so there was a violent rustling among the grass near him, and then a momentary sensation of horror thrilled him, as bomething black, and loathsome, and writhing, darted by him. Looking back ho saw a huge black snake wriggling and winding his way actors the road, sweeping its coils ovei tho horses very hoof-? as it went., find then disappearing among the bushes beyond The animal gave u staitlcd prnii, rcaied upon \u< hind feet, andy/asd v/as about, to pis o frantic plunge torward, when Kirh, with wonderful presence of mind, sprang to his side, seizing him (irmly by tho bndlc, and then ho befjan to pat him softly and to talk to him reassuringly. The l'idy in the carriage hud uttered a cry ot affii»ht, then sho sank bick among her cushions, palo, and almo-t fainting. " Do not be alarmed, madam," said Rich. "The horse will be quiet in a few moment?." Ji-Hfc at that instant he heard a quick step behind them, and glancing back ho saw a noble-looking man approaching, beating in his hand a silver cur> tilled with water. "What is the matter?" ho questioned, bonding a look ot alarm upon hi? palo and trembhngwife, and then turning a surpii&ed glance upon Rich. The lad explained what had occurred, but taking the blame of it all upon himself for having disturbed and routed the stiake fiom his hiding-place. " Uere, Ida, drink some of {his water— it will revive you, and you have nothing more to fear from Prince," the gentleman said, passing vhe cup to his wife, and gently releasing the reins from her almost convulsi\ r e gra^p. She sat up, smiling faintly. "I was very much startled," she said, " and if it had not been for this young man I am sure Prince would have had a frightful run." "I do not doubt it,'' herhusbandroturned. { * Some horses are mora easily frightened by a prake than human beings are. I think we owe a great deal to you, my young friend," turning to Kich, "notwithstanding J.Oll a-sume all the blame, for his snake ? hip was just as liable to make his appearance it you had not been heie. I think you had a great deal of presence of mind, as well as courage." Rich coloured at this high praito, and murmured something about their overesti mating what he had done. "Are you feeling better, Ida?" the gentleman a-ked, as hi& wifw drained the cup of its contents and set it down on the cushion beside her. " Yep, thank you, I am much refreshed, thouyh a triile weak yet The water was deliciou<ly pure and cool," she answered, striving to speak cheerfully. " Would you like another drink from the spring ?" her husband asked. Rich t-prang eagerly forward. "I should be very glad to go and get it for you," he paid. "No, I thank you ; you are very kind, but 1 do not need any more," she replied, smiling, and bending a wistful look upon his dark, hand&ome face. "But I should like to know your name, for I shall always remember you very gratefullyr " My name is Richmond Waldemar." Rich saw her ca«t a startled glance at her husband a^ he spoke his last name, and following it ho noticed that the ruddy colour all faded out of the face of tho p r oud man, while the hand that was smoothing his need's glo^y coat began to tremble. " "Waldemar— "Waldcmar," he said, in a meditative tone, while he bent down to pick a wisp of hay from Prince's leg, " I used to know some people of that name, years ago. I wonder if you aie a— a relative oi a— Miss Audrey Waldemar." "She is my aunt, sir," Rich returned surprised that he should know anything of hor. " Your aunt ! I did not know that sho had a brother." " No, sir, ?he never did ; but I was given to her by some one when I was quite j oung, and I have always called her Aunt Audrey." "Ah i yes -yes; I hope she is well," and the gentleman's lipa twitohed painfully over tho words. " Very well, I thank you," Rich answered wondering at the man's increasing omotion. "Arthur, isn't it time we were moving on ?" his wife here interposed, in a tone that struck Rich as being: somewhat plaintive, and glancing at her he =aw that she had grown very sad and was watching her husband with an anxious expression. He started as if suddenly recalled to himself, and going up to her said, gently, and with an accent of self-reproach : "Yes, yes, it is ; and you must be very tired, dear." Prince had become entirely composed by this time, and Rich, leaving him, picked up his little basket, which he had so carefully deposited out of harm's way before tho excitement, and held it out to the pale woman. " You are pleased with this, naad^m," he said, modestly ; " will you accept it ?" Her face, lighted, and rich thought her great dark eyes the loveliest he had ever seen. "Thank you, dear,' she said heartily. "I shall bo so glad to have it, and I shall arrange thcee mosses and lichen on cardboard, and frame and keep them as a souvenir of this day " Rich flushed with pleasure that she could care enough for his modest gift to take all that trouble. " I wish 1 had something to give you in return," she added. ' "You surely deserve a medal for your courage and presence of mind to-day. I wonder if you could wear this ring," and she drew off a plain gold ring— the guard to a diamond -from one of her fingers, and passed it to him. He slipped it upon the third finger of his left hand, and it proved to be iust a fit. ■

"lam glad you can wear if-,," the lady said, with a pleased smile; "keep it to remember me by, rand I hope we shall meet again come timo." " I am afraid it is a great deal more than I deserve," Rich said," in a doubtful tone : " but it is a very nice keepsake, and I shall always wear ib."' "Are you spending the summer in this region?" the gentleman now asked. " Yes, eir, we came to Fairview, five or six miles from here, to spend the month.3 of July and August." "Well, it is a lovely country," the man said, with a sigh, as ho turned toward his carriage, adding : " I hope you will not encounter his snakesbip again during any of your rambles." "But I wish I might, sir," Bich responded, eagerly. "I think I should really enjoy settling his account for him, to pay tor the frig;hi which he has given tho lady." "Well, well, I believe I must shake hands with you for that," returned tho other, with a genial smile, while he stepped up to Bich, laying one hand on his shoulder — and the boy could feel ib trembling there — while he grasped his hand heartily with the other. " By the way," he added, as if suddenly remembering something. "I am afraid we have been remiss — we have not even intro duced ourselves, and you will be wondering who has reaped the benefit of your kindness and courage to day Here is something to put in your pocket-book, and if ever you need a friend, just drop a line to this addreps and I will not fail you." Ue handed Rich hia card as ho ; then getting into his carriage, he bowed ; tho lady smiled and waved her white hand, and they drove on. " Arthur M. Halstead, Albany, N. V.," Rich read from that little piece of pasteboard, after he had watched the carriage out of sight. "It is a good name, but I wonder how he came to know Aunt Audrey, and what it all means."