Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-03


OF life which God had traced ou, for them. Ann.'<
heart beat painfully for she knew 100 well rha, he
spoke Ihe truth She fel, that if she became Alic;
Caldwell's wife she could not then perform. as she
now did, those filia and slstery offices which had
been hers from childhood, and which il would be
mean and criminal 10 forsake When she rose to
receive The old minister's blessing she vowed with
sad heart, but seadlasi spirit, lha', come wha,
wonld, she would abide by her dn,y Poor gin {!
she liule thought how near and severe les, await.
ed her.
"Annie,' said voice at her ear, as she turned
10 leave the Campfed; did you no ken was
so near you?"
A'cS need no; have asked the question, for the
sudden fash of the cheek, and the quick bright
sparkle of the eye, were enough 10 show her pre-.
vious ignorance.
Marian babe me follow yon, lassie She said
she did not like the look Oft sky, and would feel
maiF al ease if conveyed you home"
Roui," said Annie hastily; what makes
Marin sac timoursomel The sky is blue and
bright, and even if ii should be wet, what does
drop af rain signifyq
Annie" was Alexis simple answer
Annie turned away her head to conceal how
much his sorrowful tone affected her
Ay, so do" she said with assumed cheerful
ness 4" but dinna like Marian being LEFT alone.
so we had bes, walk fast hame" and she quick.
ened her pace. As hey did SO, adisan, muttering
of thunder was heard and Annie added Marian
was right, afer all. It is wonderful how she
guesse8 some things, AIick She is like lhe birds
and The beasts hat get restless and discomfor,abIe
before storm, although there ia no, q sign of il in
the heavens bigger than mans hand"
That ane is bigger" Alick said, pointing to
mass of threatening cloud which was rapidly Gov
erlng The sky; and if you would take my advice
Annie, You would gang with with me to Blink
bonnie, and bde there til the storm is past"
No, no,'' she said nervousy; maon gang
hame 10 Marian, and my moher, poor body"
Alick demonstrated no further, but silently fol
lowed her, as she flew rather than ran in The drec-
'ioa Of Nelhan Foot. 1t was growing very dark,
and The rest Of The congregation, having no such
haste as Annle's 10 hurry homeward, had already
,aken shelter in eIcoage near Campfield, advs.
ing her as they diI 20, 10 follow her example
1" cannot she said Z" | must get home, deed
I must" and striking off from the high road, she
hurried along The by path by the Nehan waer-
The evening grew darker and darker; it seemed
as if The twilight had been forgotten, and the brgh
day had suddenly been merged in might, The
thunder became every moment louder, and The
lightning flashed through The Trees with fearful
btIIiancy. The river roared along lis barks and
as they approached The spot OF the Nehans con
fuence with thc Clyde, even Annie's brave spri,
uembed. She wondered whether they could cross
the stepping stones in such food and in such
darkness, But she had strong will; she knew
the stones TO trust as we'll By night as by day and
besides, The Storm had so lately begun, thai the
Ne.han, she thought, could nol have risen very
much. So she hurried forward still faster, and her
foot was already on the oveEhangipg bank, when
A!ick drew her iorcibly back
4" Are you mad, Annie" he cried 10 try the
seppiag-Stones in such s9eat!7 (lood And he
threw his strong arms around her.
T. Lit me 60, Allck! must get hame io, Marian,
she said, struggling 10 ge free and she might have
succeeded in doing so, tor she was nearly his
equal in physical strength, had not lvid fash
lighted up The scene al the moment, and shown
her the peril which awaited her The general,
calm Nelhan Water was seelhins ike cauldron
and careering down TO the CLYDE with unconlrol.
able force. A. if thick cuuan had been with
drawn by the fash, she saw the banks giving way
before her eyes aud lhe trees ha, grew on them
noddino 10 the fall. Il was a glorious but terrific
picture, as the whole bend OF The river illuminated
by that fearful light hone OFT for single ns ant
then disappeared in The darkness. But shor as that
glance had been, il had shown her that had noi
Ack pulled her back, she must have been, en-
eu Phei in the walters, and no mortal power c0u'd
have brought TO shore alive The lmmineuce Of
The danger from which she had been saved over.
came her with a sudden. weakness; she uembled,
her struggles ceased, her head dropped on Alex s
shoulder, and she burst into tars
"Anae," " he said soohineiy, " dinna greet, for
you see coudna lei you drown yoursel' aiore ny |
enn, and no. Try to save you; : and the saliva IN
arms that had lately so slurdiIy opposed her will
cow folded her in a close embrace.
I" On, Alick, she replied, with her usual sim7'e |
mrhlulness, q lis no. that gars ne greet bnt the
thought ihat my wiiiuness might nae cost your
life as we'll as my ain"
lie stopped down and pressed frs kiss on e
brow hat still rested on his shoulder.
Annie, my owa Anuie = he whispered |
q what would life be to NE wantiu' you?'
Diana say.lhat, A!ck.' she said hnErirdlv,
onsins herself lram the momenaIy yielding 10 her
'oheI feelings; " this is aeIrber time nor place
o think OF such things" maun gang hame TO
Matin'
Il vas impossible for Annie afer that Sabbath I
,dvenure 10 conceal either from herself or Alick |
fial They loved each olher dearly but no per- |
uason could induce her 10 consent to her 10 be his
L = L