Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-08-06

'~NNJ ol0 lOb caJ
anything about loving. But, pray, how
long did you say you had been counting
me, in that pretty little speech of yours p
Three long years" replied Charles
" Nearly andaccuratoly quoted, Char
ley. But you know my cousin Rachel
was only won after five years courtship
you don't suppose / am going to rate
cheaper than she did, do you2
Suppose we drop this Atiresome subject
for two years; perhaps ~ that time |
may be able to work myself up to the
falling-in-love point--there is no know.
ing what wonders time may effect"
If you are not in love now, you
never will be- returned Charles, stur-
Oily; "and | will have my answer now
or never"
Never, then" laughed Susy. But
she had gone a step too far. Her often
severely-tried lover was now too much
in earnest to bear her triding any longer
"Never be it, then" he cried and
Selling his hat, he strobe from the room.
Susy listened to his recediug footsteps
with dismay. Had she, indeed, by her
incorrigible love eff coquctry, lost him ?
1t smotc her to the soul to think so. AS
she heard him open the front door, i'm
PEELED by feeling of despair, 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 ?"
As she spoke, she tore a rose from her
bosom, and threw it at him. It 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.
Early the next morning, the hustle Of
departure began. Susy was going to ac-
company her widowed mother on trip
for her health.
As they reached the wharf and de-
scended from the carriage, Susy's eyes
made themselves busy in searching fol
one wished for face; but it was nowhere
to be seen
The steamboat lay painting and putting
seemingly impatient to be let loose. -
Susy's mother, aided by the servant mar
who had accompanied them, had alread,
crossed the gangway which lay between
the wharf and the boat, and Susy refuc
family following, when the sound of ;
voice behind her-the voice she was long
ing to hcar-startled her. She turned
to look ro1nd, and, missing her footing,
fell into the water.
Another instant, Charles had thrown
off his coat, and calling out loudly, 'tel
the captain not to allow the wheel tc
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 little forward
he swan around the wheel, but still he
saw her not, and despair seized his heart
as he-conj ectured that she might be UNI
der the boat lie strained his eyes to
see through the water and at length dis
cerned, far below the surface, what seem
ed the end Of a floating garment lodged
between the wheel and the round bottom
of the boat.
If this indeed were the unfortunate
girl, the least movement of the wheel
must inevitably crush her, and Charles
in his terror faneicd it already beginning
to turn. lie Owed and clutched at the
garment, but missed it. lie rose pant
ing, and almost exhausted, but scarcely
waiting to get breath he again plunged
below. This last time lis efforts were
rewarded with success, at least so far
that he was able to bring Susys form to
the surface of the water, but she seemed
totally lifclcss. Charles was SO nearly
exhausted that he had only sufficient pre-
sence of mind left to clasp Susy convuls-
lively to him, while he kept himself anoat
by holding on to the wheel
But this last hope Of support seemed
also to fail him soon, as he perceived that
it was now really beginning to turn slow
| ly round. BY desperate effort he struck
his foot against ono Of the paddles 50 as
to push himself as far from danger as
possible. As he did 50, something touch
ed his head, and his hand grasped a rope.
New life now seemed infused in him ~
lie gathered all his energies and fastened
the rope around Susy's waist. Con
seriousness now entirely forsook him. In
the mean time the witnesses Of the scene,
after giving Charles instructions to the
captain, bad watched his struggles and
excrtions with breathless interest. The
friendly rope had been thrown to him
again and again, but in the excitement
Of his feelings and his semi-insensibility,
he had been incapable Of availing himself
Of the offered aid.
AT last, pcrceiving that be was quite
exhausted and must inevitably soon let
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 the rope, and the boat
reached Charles in time to save him also
Both sufferers were taken on the steam
boat, which now rapidly moved off, to
make up for lost time.
And thus, whom our hero regained bis
consciousness, he found himself many
miles from home. OF course, bis first
anxious inquiry was for Susy, and when
informed that she was rapidly recoyerinC