Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-02

/ VERY WE'LL" Wilson at length said j
= seems that our mistresseS are one and til
I same"
:, impossible, | know Helena Heat
}, too we'll" returned Clifford. ''All yo
IS have said of her is false"
Wilson had all the subdued spirit of tn
restless adyenturer. His embarrassment
/ vanished. and he became furious. False?
he echoed fiercely.
u ''Yes-an infamous lie" responds
; Clifford
Stung to the quick, Wilson grasped al
oar with both hands, and leveled blo'
at his companions head. Clifford eyade,
3 the blow, and sprang upon his enem
, like a tiger. Wilson dropped the weapon
and the two were clasped in furious EN-
: brace. They struggled, rose upon thei
: feet, and falling, We're plunged headlon;
: into the stream. The waves closed owe
: them, and the skiff, half filled with water
slowly drifted out to sea. In moment
both arose to the surface, still clasped il
fierce embrace The shades of nigh
: were closing around them, but there wa
yet light enough for them to glance a
each other, and gather fresh courage a
the sight Wilson ioosed his hold of hi
antagonist, to level a blow at his head
but Clifford parried it and grGsped him by
the throat. and once more both disappear
ed beneath the surface of the water
Gifford's energy seemed the most power
ful. and the pioneer, lashed to fury
seized iack-knife that his right hand
purloined from the pocket of his enemy,
opened it with his teeth, and plunged II
into the bosom of the young lawyer, who,
with a bubbling cry, released his hold.
Night set in, and the dark waves rolled
heavily As he paused to regain his
strength, he saw the form of his inanimate
companion tossed about on the stream
1t would be impossible to portray the
thoughts that rushed through his mind.
Oh. how bitterly did he regret having
been so rash. Having recovered his
strength, the young man began to make
for the Shore which he gained.
Two days after, the following announce
ment appeared in the village gazette:
"A most lamentable occurrence took
place on-evening. A young law stu
dent named Clifford, well known in this
vicinity, accompanied ayoung man nam
ed Wilson in boat ride up the river
\ sudden gust upset the boat, and both
were plunged into the water. Wilson
made his escape by swimming, but his
companion found a watery grave
The dream of happiness of Helena
Heath was at an end. With all the poig-
nant grief that the susceptible heart can
feel she lamented the sad fate of her low
er, while she could not repress the chagrin
she felt at the idea that some adventurous
favorite of her father would usurp the
preeminenCe that she had given him.
Nearly two years passed, and Helena
Heath still remained unmarried. Old
Heath had selected young Wilson for his
future son-in-l wv, and he sought to COM
mend him to his daughter; but meeting
with indifference and denial, he resolved
to select from among the large circle of
the hardy and athletic young men the one
whose feats were the greatest, and compel
her to receive him as her lord.
At last the day came for the allotted
trial, and to the spot marked out for rem
many an eager aspirant came. Among
thesewa a newly arrived settler, who had
often made the sinewy and bold look
pallid with envy at his success.
The first trial was that of leaping.-l
One 10y one the competitors joined in I'M
til perfect Ajax in limb reached II feet
This settled the question; still, notwith-
standing this proof of his proves, the old
hunter seemed dissatisfied at the idea of
marrying his daughter to such stranger
He resolved to become better acquainted
with his strength and skill, and suddenly |
turning to his rivals, he said:
Come, boys, let's have a little rifle |
practice-twO shots apiece, remember"
A painted nail was partly driven into
tree. The heroes of the other exercises |
made trial, but were wide from the nails
head. The stranger rubbed his hands, |
and seizing rifle, took rapid aim The
nail was driven into the tree.
The unknown m rksn Al once more fir
ed the nails head was bent double
This was more than the rival who was no
other than young Wilson, could bear and !
he walked off
All congratulations were offered the |
lucky victor. Old Gabriel Heath placed
the hand of the reluctant Helena in his
but she, still treasuring the memory of
him she had so admired, and who had
tual beauty, demonstrated against her
fathers choice TO no purpose.
For some time the victor visited the
abode of the hunter, chatted with him,
and walked with the daughter. They
lIAhCO anu lOGClAlCls anu
he spoke in glowing terms of his love for
her. She started at this, for the image of
her lost lover seemed to rise and rebuke
her.
You love another them" he said.
Remember that l won you by my PROV
ess"
These words in some tones might have
made her indignant, but now they only
Iol % 70 hap Oh |
piled:
"What you have said is true. owe the
richest and deepest debt to another, who
Of nature. | lght to love him, and
exist, will live for no other but him"
While she was thus speaking, the hun
.er was regarding her with the same cur
GUS expression which hardly became a re-
ected lover. Sac was turning from him,
when he detained her, and said:
This was the young lawyer, Clifford,
vas it not ?"
Z" 1t was" she replied, looking into his
ace, where the smile had settled into
lnxiety.
Blessing on you for that word." he
,ried. l am the long lost one-the res
;ued and the redeemed"
1t was indeed young Clifford, who, thro'
IN unseen and mysterious Providence,
lad not been drowned, but was srved
rom a watery grave by fisherman, whose
lind care had restored him to life and +;
trength.
He told her how he had returned to
he village just in time TO bear off the wa
,ers of prowess for her hand; and conf
lent that he should be brought to her
gain, he dissembled himself and gained
he victory. :
1t is needless to say that the joy of meet =,
ng him of whom be supposed himself the
murderer, was so great, that Wilson tho't .
,ut little of the refusal that ne ultimately /:
eceived from Helena. He could hardly
elieve his eyes until the generous Gift
ord took his hand and faithfully prom :
sed never to reveal the circumstances of :
he boat ride, and forgive him for his rash = /.
ess. :
The two rivals were rivals no longer,
i Al I,,,oJ lovalv h.