The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-13

had been courting me, In that pretty iittie
speech of yours?
Three long years. replied Charles.
Neatly and accurately quoted, Charley,
but you know my cousin Rachel was only
won after fvs years courtship. You don't
suppose am going to rate myself any cheaper
than she did, do you? Suppose we drop this
subject for two years: perhaps by that time
may be able to work myself up to the fall
ing in love point; there il no knowing what
wonders time may effect!
III you are not in love now you never
will be, returned Charles, sturdily. 'and /
will haye my answer now or never
Never, then,' laughed Susy.
But she had gone step too far. Her OF.
ten severely tried lover was now too much In
earnest to bear her triaing any longer.
Never be it then = he cried and seizing
his hat he strobe angrily from the room.
Susy listened to his rccccding footsteps
with dismay. Had she. indeed, by her in
corrigiblc love of cOquetry alicnated that no.
BILE, manly heart? 1t smotc her to the heart
to think 50. As she heard him open the
front door, impelled by a feeling of despair,
she raised the window.sash, and leaning for
ward, whispered
Charley, Charley you will be at the boat
to. morrow to bid me goodbye, won't you ?
Surely we are friends!'
As she spoke she drew rose from her boz
som, and threw il to him, and he brushed it
away as If it had been poison, and passed on
without looking up. .N-,- s'sA2,s s-a,
sdsy spent the res: Of that. day in tears.-
Early next morning the hustle Of departure
began. Susy was going to accompany her
widowed and invalid mother on trip for
her health.
As they reached the wharf and descend. d
from the carriage, Susy's eyes made them
selves busy searching for one wished for face;
but 1t was nowhere to be seen.
The steamboat lay painting and putting,
inpatient to be let loose. Susy's mother,
aided by the servant-man who accompanied
them, had already crossed the gangway
which lay between the wharf and the boat,
and Susy was reluctantly following, when
the sound Of voice behind her-the very
voice she was longing to hcar-startled her.
She turned to look round. and, missing her
footing. fell into the water.
Another instant, and Charles had thrown
Of his coat, and calling out loudly, Tell
the captain not to let the wheel stir, and to
lower me ropo!" hc sprang into the river.
But Of her whom he was risking his life to
save. he was unable to perceive 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 bc conjcc-
tured that she might bc under the boat. Ho
strained his eyes to see through the water,
and at length discerned, far below the sur
face, what seemed to DO the end OF a float
ing garment, lodged between the wheel and
tho rounded bottom Of the boat.
II this were indeed the unfortunate girl,
the least movement of the wheel must inevi-
tably crush her, and Charles, in his terror,
fancied it was already beginning to turn
He diyed and clutehed ut the garment, but
missed 1t. He rose, painting, aud almost ex-
hausted, but scarcely waiting to get breath
he plunged again under. This time his eff
forts were crowned with success, ut least so
Tar that he was able to bring Susy's form to
the surface Of the water. but she seemed to-
tally lileless.
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 aaoat by holding on to the
wheel. ........
But this. his last hope Of support, seemed
also to fail him soon, as he perceived that
il 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 80, something touched his head,
and his hand grasped rope. New lifo
seemed now infused in him. He gathered
all his energies, and fastened the rope round
Susy's waist; consciousness then entirely for
sock him.
In the meantime the witness OF the scene,
alter giving Charles directions to the cap.
sa'n' had watched his struggles and excr-
tions with breathless interest. The rope had
been flung to him again and again, but IN
the excitement OF his feelings. and semi.in.
sensibility, he had been incapable of avail.
ing himself Of the proasred aid.
At last, perceivins that he was quito OK.
hsusted. and mus. inevitably soon let 70 his
hold on the wheel, and then probably sink TO