“Papa had intrusted the property for his children to the hands of friends in whom he had confidence; but through their failure we lost heavily, and when the estate was closed there was but a remnant left of what he intended for us.
“When Sarah, who is ten years older than I, married Cyril, she went with him to the Warfield homestead which adjoined our place, and there they have lived happily. But Cyril is in feeble health and Sarah is very anxious, fearing he will never be better.
“Herbert, with his share, bought the store of a merchant in Woodmont and Sarah and Cyril took me to their home where I was treated as tenderly as are their two boys, Paul and Fred.
“One afternoon in June I had driven to the village postoffice and was returning as quickly as possible, for the appearance of the clouds betokened a storm. I had passed a turn in the road when rain came down in torrents, then hail fell fast, the wind blowing it in my face, stunning and nearly blinding me.
“The terrified pony ran. Then as the hail storm increased in violence, she crouched down and I was about to spring from the carriage when a hand restrained me.
“‘You are safer there,’ said Mr. Ashley, for it was he who spread the carriage robe over the pony and encouraged her to rise; then he stepped into the carriage, took the lines from my trembling hands, and, turning about, drove to the shelter of a large tree. It was all the work of a moment, and he had scarcely glanced at me until I spoke, thanking him for his assistance.
“‘The storm will soon be over,’ he remarked in response. ‘Will you allow me to see you safely home? My name is Norman Ashley and my home is in a village near Baltimore with my widowed sister, Mrs. Brinsfield. I am an artist and, with several of my fellow-artists, am traveling upon a sketching tour. They have gone further west, I remaining in Woodmont, having found some picturesque views for sketching and putting later upon canvas.’
“‘I do not wish to keep you so long in damp clothing,’ I said.
“‘Oh, we tramps do not mind such trifles,’ he replied lightly, and as soon as the hail ceased falling we sped home.
“My sister and brother-in-law had been terribly anxious and were rejoiced to see me unhurt. They welcomed Mr. Ashley cordially, invited him to dine with us the following day, and then Cyril’s farmer, Ben Duvall, took him in the phaeton to Woodmont.”