The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-07
WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPTEM BER + 1853.

"God grant i'll" she fervently ejaculated
"but l fear shall be greater burden
than you can support to the Shore" she
added eff there is doubt oft, leave me
and seek your own safety while yet YOU
may, l would not that your life should
be sacrificed in the endeayor to preserve
mine"
desert you in this fearful hour, swec,
lady! May the name of Gorden Meredith
be accursed to the remotest age when he
cOnsummates such craven actm
She gazed up into his handsome face
and Il bright smile wreathed her lips at
this exhibition of his generous nature
while feeling of security, to which she
had been stranger during all the trying
scene, once more took possession of her
! breast.
ave crnnot tarry longer, lady; sec
the names are almost upon us! Fear not
and all will yet be well" and twining his
muscular arm around her slender form, he
grasped the rope with his dsengaced
hand, and quickly lowered himself and
burden into the water. With a bold and
confident strokc-for lie was an expert
and powerful swimmer he breasted the
waves, supporting the form of Kate Stan.
ley above the water, and struck out for
the shore, distant about three-fourths of a
mile.
And now began the peril Of the under
taking, for all around him were struggling
wrctches, grasping at everything within
their reach, and it required all his presence
OF mind to avoid their dcath-clutch End
over the scene, far out on the waters, fell
the glare of the burning boat. The wind
against which he had to swim, dashed the
waves around and above him so powerful
ly that, Notwithstanding his skill as a
swimmer, and his great physical strength
ere two thirds of the distance was accom-
piishcd, he felt that he could not hold out
much longer; but the thought Of the trea-
sure which he bore-the wild JOY of her
sire at once clasping her to his bosom
lent him new vigor in his arduous task,
and with an inward prayer for strength
he clasped his burden t.oser TO his Side
and continues to buffet tiercely with the
waves. But bark the wind brings down
the sound Of voices and the dash of oars
His strength is almost gone. He raises
his voice in a faint halo. Is it heard q
Yes and as heavy stick Of timber float,
ed down the current, strikes the exhaus.
ted swimmers head, and he feels his arm
gradually loosing its hold Of it's precious
charge, half dozen ready hands draw
their unconscious forms into the boat :
they were saved
a week had passed stree the foregoing
incidents Of our tale The hour was about
the same rs at its opening. In sump-
tuously appointed chamber of n stately
mansion, whose pilared front faced the
broad waters of the Mississippi, lay the
form Of Gordon Meredith. He was very
pale, and sleeping. Beside the couch
bent tile graceful figure of Kate Stanley,
and as one Of her taper fingers rested light,
ly on the slceper's pulse, sunny smile oi
JOY illumined her face as she marked its
regular beating.
ale is better, thank Heaven! his sleep
is calm, and the fever no longer fushes his
brow" murmured the maiden.
Her voice was very low, yet the youth
stirred, and opened his eyes at the sound
Intelligence once moIe beamed in their
depths, and he gazed around in astonish.
ment, like one who had been dreaming.
HIS glance instantly rested on his fair
nurse, and in feeble tones he exclaim-
ed
"What means all th::, ladyl Where
am ?-what horrid dream is this that
rings confuscdly through my brain Z"
"Nay, | cannot tell you now you are
too feeble to talk or listen to conversation
at present. Indeed, you must obey my
command" she continued, gently placing
her tiny palm over his mouth, as he was
about to speak again. "When you are
stronger, you shall know all, but now try
and sleep again"
INTERESTINGLY the youth sank back upon
his pillow, and closed his eyes as If in
sleep, but his mind was engaged in actual
thought, and as it gained strength, slowly
to his scattered senses came the memory
Of the burning boat--his noble effort 70
save the maiden's life-the desperate
struggle in the river; but after that all
was blank. Again he opened his eyes
and spoke
"Ah, lady, remember now-this has
not been all dream. But how came ]
herei Indeed, you must relieve my curl
osity; can bear it,"
And the young man listened with closed
eyes and beating heart, all that seemed a
mystery to him. The boat, IL seemed.
had struck but short distance below tho
residence Of Mr.. Stanley, and the men
in the boat recognizing Kate as his daugh-
ter, At once conveyed them both 10 the
mansion, where they were soon after join
ed by the general himself, who, owing tc
the lifepreserver; was enabled to support
himself until picked by BY boat from
shore. had soon recovered by thG
application OF the usual restoratives, buv
Gordon Meredith, who had received g
severe cut ON bis forehead, =as found tc
be in precaTious situation. He received
the kindest attention; medical advice wa,
at once procured, but fever apE deliriuu
set In, end for week b hS remained
in state Of unconAciOusnes.