The sun., 1862-01-14
HUNTEDDOWN
NJ MRS. ANN s. sTEPuENs-

Even when a child, the beauty Of such
an hour would soo'h the most Turbulent mir.h-
fulnets Of S,phas nature into a feeling o.
ploaAant sainese--.n abstract continent Of
gratitude 10 the giyor Of cuths lovelincss,
somethirg that deepencd into melancholy or
brghtened with sNcc. imasiniug'.
Lucy was never thus nature to her was lull
of musc-giAd, mirthtal melody like the hap
piness reveliDg in her own heart. All tho way
she was bending her beautiful head ovor the
side Of the canoe holding her hand in the water
and smiling as the waves ripplcd through her
tiny 6ngers-now and then parting hcr rod lips
and sending forth burst Of wild melody like
guihisg nstcs Of a wood thrush.
Before their return down the stream the moon
had risen, and her beams lay up tho water like
links Of auiyeTinS silver tho bright stars we're
mirrorod about them and dark shadows lay
amoag the bushes on either side. Even Lucy
WAS silent and AT with her curls thrown back
and her largo blue eyes raised to the Illuminated
expanso above. Ben sst at his end of the canoe
with his stills dragging in the water, his eyes
half closed and fixed with y sinister expression
upon tho unsuspecting girls
when they came opposite the clms Lucy
Laughed out merrily, pointed to the bank and
NsksA Ben C he rem ,mhored last summer
A low chuckle Was his reply he placed his stills
upright in tho water, spurned the cauoo with
his foot and + ak ID Oh shore, shouting as he
reached the bank
"YSs, and | guess yoa'll remember this one
too"
The canoe rocked like a cradle and a quantity
Of water dashed ever them, but II did not sink
a. il vas evidently HE intention that it
should. in which case, a. the water was shallow,
no danger except that of q thorough drenchng
could hay been possible. But as the canoe con,in-
ued TO float the case was entirely different. A
lew y ards below, the river became narrower and
deeper gliding heavily along toward a hollow
where its stagnant waters gathered in dark cd
dying pool, foarfully deep and overshAdowod by
troes.
Surprise at the sudden departure OF the
boatman prevented Sophia's noticing that the
canoe wAs gliding downward, and would soon DO
in deep water. Lucy sat in the bottom, shskng
tho water from her curls and laughing joyously.
Jump out" cried Sophia snddenly. Lu-
cy, jump out !"
She refused, laughing more loudly and calling
her friend coward. Onward wen. the canoe
the water each moment deepening in its path
Almost mad with appreh eEsion Sophia leapei
from the boat and tried to pull Lucy after her
but in the Wilfulne Of her i;ee Luy set up
new shout Of laughter.
The canoe glided from Slphi,s reach and
hoatcd slowly onward. Sophia reached the
18th littla liuieu1f,y nj oh a
dripping with wet and wildly looked down the
stream. Lucy was standing up and waving her
bonnet in the triumph Of her courage.
Sit down, sit down .' shrieked Sophia !;
you are near the Deep Hole-sit down
Lucy looked about her sun bonnet dropped,
her laugh died awdy-for the iirst time tho
poor child cOmprehcadcd her danger. The
limb oil an old reo projected over the banl--she
caught at it despora,ely----the leaves w,re
stripped of in her hand aud the motion caused
the irsu bark to veer and rock unstcadily to
and fio. Lucy sat down and ,lun9 to he siie
of tho canoe, while her sAarp cries rang narillly
upon the still waters
Wild with fear Sophia rushed down the bank,
she reached the Deep Hole and brolthlessly a.
waited the coming OF the yl"oe. Slowly It passed.
along, now in the dark shadows, then in the
moonlight Lucy was on her knees clioging
10 the sides her face pale as death her white
lips open, al Intervals she cried ont uucon-
sciouSly, tho sharp, ter,iblc cry OF agoniling
har.
Again branch allured her to nrety lust A,
Ahe WAS over tho deepest water, s,2hil saw
her spring at it but her tongue was parl,zod
she could not even call out--shc heard the branch
snap with quick, sharp cra,h. Lacy to,.eroI
--roelO6---ihe canoe shivsred under her and
curved tuddenly-she lost her balance and foil
"Entered according TO the Act Of Congress, in the