The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-06-23

up to the falling-in.love point-there
is no knowing what wonders time may
effect"
"If you are not in love now, you
never will be-" returned Charles, stur.
dily; "and I will have my answer now
or never"
Never. then," laughed susy. But
she had gone step too far. Her often
severely tried lover was now too much
in earnest to bear her triaing any long.
er.
Never be it thenl" he cried !; and,
sei2ing his hat, he strode from the
room.
Susy listened to his receding foot.
steps with dismay. Had she, indeed,
by hes. incorrigible love of coquetry,
lost him? It smote her to the soul to
think so. As she heard him open the
front door, impelled by feeling of des-
pair, she raised the window sash, and
leaning forward, whispered:
"Charley Charley you will be at the
boat tomorrow to bid me good-by.
won't you ? Surely we are still
friends y
As she spoke she tore a rose from her
bosom. and threw it to him. 1t lodged
on his arm. but he brushed it away as
though it had been poison. and passed
on without looking up.
Susy spent the rest of the day in tears.
Farley the next morning the hustle of
departure began. Susy was going to
accompany her widowed and invalid
mother on a trip for her health.
As they reached the wharf and des.
cended from the carriage, Susy's eyes
made themselves busy searching for one
wished for face; but it was nowhere to
be seen.
The steamboat lay painting and puff
ing, seemingly impatient to be let loose.
Susy's mother, aided by the servant
man who accompanied them. had already
crossed the ganyway. which lay be-
tween the wharf and the boat, and Susy
was reluctantly following, when the
sound of voice behind her-the very
voice she was longing to hear-startIed
her. She turned to look around, and =,
missing her footing, fell into the wa
ter.
Another instant, and Charles had
laid off his coat, and calling out loudly,
Tell the captain not to allow the wheel
TO Stir, and to lower me rope !" he
sprang into the river. But of her whom
he was risking his life to save, he was
unable to see any trace.
Judging that the current of the river
might have carried her a little forward
he swan around the wheel, but still he
saw her not. and despair seized his
heart as he conjectured that she might
be under the boat. He strained his
eyes TO see through the water, and a,
length discerned, far below the surface,
what seemed the end of a floating gar
EaanA- -lAAsssi between the wheel and the
rounded bottom of boat.
If this were indeed the unfortunate
girl, the least movement of the wheel
must inevitably crush her, and Charles,
in his horror. fancied it was already be-
ginning to turn. He dived and cIutched
at the garment. but missed it. He rose
painting. and almost exhausted; but
scarcely waiting to get breath, he again
plunged below. This time his efforts
were rewarded with success, at least so
far that he was able TO bring Susy's form
to the surface of the water: but she SEEM
ed lo'ally lifeless.
Charles was now so nearly exhausted
that he had only sufficient presence of
mind left to clasp Susy convulsively to
him while he kept himself ahoat by
holding on the wheel.
But this, his last hope of support.
seemed also to fail him soon, as he per-
ceived that it was now really beginning
to turn slowly around. By desperate
effort he struck his foot against one OF
the paddles SO as to push himself as far
from the danger as possible. AS he did
so something touched his head, and he
grasped rope. He gathered all his
energies, and fastened the rope around
Susy's waist-consciousness then entire
ly folsook him. In the mean time wit
nesses Of he scene, after giving Charles
instructions to the captain. had watch
ed his struggles and exertions with
breathless interest. Tie friendly rope
had beea flung to him again and again,
out in the excitement Of his feelings,
and his semiinsensibility. he had been
incapable of avail ing himself of the Of
feied aid. At last. perceiving that he
was quite exhausted, and must ineyi
tably soon let so his hold on the wheel,
and then probably sink to rise no more,
the captain judged it best to run the
risk of moving off, so that small boat
could be sent to the rescue.
The result Of this hazardous expert
ment was successful. Susy was raised
by means of rope. and boat reached
Charles in time to save him Also
Both sufferers were taken on board
the steamboat. which now rapidly NOV
ed of. to make up for lost time.
And thus when our hero regained his
consciousness, he found himself many
y
miles from home. Of course his first
anxious inquiry was for Susy. and when
informed that she was rapidly recover
ing. his happiness seemed complete o.
He showed his contentment by turn
ing over. and falling into deep quiet
sleep.
About sunset messenger came to in
form him that Miss B desired to
see him.
He found her lying on a sofa in the
captains state-room, which had been
given up to her. She looked very pale,
and somewhat suffering. but she held
out her hand to him very gratefully.
while the tears stood in her eyes.
"Charles." said she. without offering