Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-03-28


her finger and pointed to a huge tau sled mass
of interlacing branches that were rising and
falling in the rushing whirlpool of water
[ followed the direction of her eyes my blood
congealing with an indefinite horror; but l
could discern nothing to excite alarm.
''W hat? what. Rath?" eagerly exclaimed.
clasping her quiyering form in my arms.
''Oh, Annie she said, as the color came
fairly back to her writhing lips, II thought [
saw-but it IS too herrible-help me to dispel
the dreadful iilnsien. Let us return; cannot
remain here. Let US hasten homer'
fiid nSssafgse .hsr to tell me the cause of
alarm. Hurrying through the gathering
shadows, we spoke no word until we reached
the house. Il needed all the cheerful aspect
of the comfortable little tea-room, with its
genial inmates, to restore composure both to
Ruth and myself.
AS the evening wore on my uncle noticed
Ruth's restlesSness, and asked, in his abrupt
way:
Whom are you expecting, Ruth? Not
Horace, ny daughter. He surely would not
be such madcap as to attempt crossing the
bridge with the stream rushing at such fear
full rate, The waters are subsiding, and to-
morrow, perhaps. he will fad the unde rtaking
little less dangerous. Keep up q brave
heart aud don't take trouble or interest
Such sunny face as yours was never meant
to be clouded by sadness. Come into my
office, you and Annie. and let me see if can't
cheer you up little!'
We followed the dear old man. He un-
locked his private desk, and took therefrom
two handsome jewel cases.
'.See here!' be said, as be pushed back
the spribg, ..Shat simpleton my two spoiled
pets make Of me Hartman insisted upon
my purchasing these while | was 10 New
York, three mouths ago. as bridal presents
for you both. Now you sauey rogues," he
continued as we both fell into extacies of ad-
miration over the exquisite pearl ornaments
necklaces, braces aud trooches-''I verify
believe that you would sell me if you were
offered such gimcracks in exchange. Now if
you don't promise to value my present before
all Others, will pull the ear of you. You
see, Allie, since you are not to have hus-
band, but to stay and tyranize over me, after
this ungrateful girl leaves me, l am going to
bind you with chain of pearls, aud If that
won't keep you in check, why, will sell You
to the first biddes and ihiLk II happy rid
dance" -. .-------
We half smossrsed him with kisses and
thanks aud betoea ourselves to our room to
try the effect Of our beautiful gifts Very
lovely tue white pearls looked on Ruth's
scarcely less snowy throat; but she laid them
aside aud turned 10 the window, locking lin
geringly at the clear cloGdless moon, and
thinking of the morrow. We chatted hope
fully until the night were oD. and knew by
Ruth's regular breathing that she slept L
was. restless; da-K thoughts kept surglug over
me, which despite of a resolute will L could
not Subdue. Finally light slumber was steal
ing over my seLses, when was startled by 4
sudden ring at the office bell. My cousin
Henry slept in the adjoining room, and in a
few inmates heard my uncies voice calling
to him In low, suppressed tone L sprang
from my bed and stood at the door listen
ing.
Henry. Henry. my son." he said, get up
quickly, Tor Gods sake. Horace is drowned"
laid my hand upon my heart-lny wild
beating heart-for even then came a thought
of the silent sleeper, breathing cagly up-
der tue very sound of the appalling words,
that would fall upon her ear IKE the crash
of thuudcrboitl Through an expiIcable !
whirl of confused thought, | heard Henry's
bewildered exclama;ioDs, as his father said /
softly, ''uet up quietly, my son, aud DO not /!
disturb those unhappy children!
| heard the sound vi voices below; then my /
cousin Henry's cautious step passing oy ouf
door aud deceuding the stairs. Then silently |
as could [ passed through the outer doc: |
aud stood at the landing till they had all |
gone, and heard my uucle closing the door 1
as he re entered the house Like spirit L /
had glided down and awaited HIM IN the hall. /
He came forward holding the lamp In his /
hand, the light falling upon his white halr,
and face strongly compressed At tue sight
of me he tarted, then sat down the lamp and 1
took me in his arms.
[ could not weep-only look at him with
beseeching eaeerness in my eyes, which he
readily understood.
aMy child he said, 81 will not repeat
what see you know too WELL They have /
gone in search of the body. There is no
possibility of his being found alive. But, |
Ruth, my poor darlingl how we break
the dreadful tidings to her? You must tell
ber Annie-I never car. 1t would be like
thrusting dissecting knife through her gen
tie heartr'
Then he told me all.
Nv brother aud his friend had left o.
that afternoon, in a one horse carriage. Upon
reaching the stream they found it very DIuch
swollen, but anticipated no difficulty in cross
Ing the bridges, which stood some few feet
above the water with gradual ascent from
the bank on either side. On urging the horse
through the stream towards this ascent, his
feet became entaugled in some drifting bran
ches, and 10 striving to extricate himself be
was fast proceeding beyond his depths Sew
eral persons standing on the bank called to
the two young men to save themselves and
let the horse go. But Horace sprang out up
on the wheel, aud in reaching over 10 cus the
traces was dragged from his footing, and was
lost to sight beneath the foaming waters.
Mr.. Hamilton, his friend, caught by the
pier, and clambered 70 the top of the bridge,
Iii. a. rab;ol, .pd tha noble animal that