North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-08-30

. y
ter's happiness. In crossing bridge built
on br 'aI but shallow river the machinery
| of the engine bees me GisOrdered and il: an
| instant the foaming monster plunged into the
river, drag ,ing the train after it.
| At the first shock of the overthrow a
young man, who for the whole journey had
been regarding Eva with fixed attention,
dashed toward her and claspiug her in his
arms reached tie platform just as it was 90
| ing over: one frantic leap, and he with his
senseless burden, went down beneath the
water to rise almost ntaneously and
strike for shore.
Boldly he swan on and at last he safely
reached the shore, when after giving Eva into
t he care Of some benevolent people who
dwelt near III t bridge, he returned to the
scene OF accident hoping to be Of some SER
vice in re,cmng those imperiIed.
Sad to relaro, Mr. Philips was among the
killed, and Eva, on the return of conscious
ness, found herself orphaned, AMI aloneE IN
the world among strangers. II was new
| and terrible experience O her, and her shrink
| ing spirit was nearly broken by the shock.
| She suffered herself to be guided entirely
| by the advise Of her unknown dreserver-de-
| pending upon him with the trust of a helpless
child. Under ms protection Eva set out for
home, home no longer now that there were
none on earth to care for her. The house al
| hoo VT Il haA nlpSaI no ~
If the. time during the absence Of Its owners.
and had only been opened few weeks befoIc
IN expectation of their coming, Everything
! there was damp and mouIdy the curtains
were falling To pieces in ,he continual muis-
ture of the atmosphere, every thing bore the
impress Of gloom. SILL heavier fell The gloom
when the closed cnffin holding the remains of
Mr.. Phillips Uss brought INTO tie long dark
paror, awaiting the funeral service of to NOR
rows morn. Eva's affection was dreadful t."
witness, She took rotrce of nothing, neither
ATE nor slept. and refused all attempts At con-
-olation fr' IN her sympathIz'ng neghbor>.
The yuung stranger who accrmpa MED her
nome touk charge Of everything, and The good
people Of the vicinl,', supp"sing him to have
been an intimate friend of the deceased, made
no inquiries concerning his right to act as be
saw fit.
Mr. Phillips was burie by the side Of his
wife, and Eva, on the arm of plying oIG cler
gymaD went down to The grave, rciy, lear
iessIy, like stone statue. She exhibited no
emotion, uttered with a fixed immovablt
stare. The funeral over, the stranger engag-
ed TWO TRASHY servants, man and his wifi
10 take charge of domestic afftirs about the
place, and then made proper ations for imme-
date departure. The morning upon which
he was To leave, he sent message to Eva, re-
qnesfing private interview. 1t was granted
and she met hun in the little boudoir att acl-
ed to her chamber, where she had passed tn,
greater portion Of her time since her return.
He came in with a little hesitation in his steI
and took the char her silent nod Indicated
A. he did So, his eyes nvuIuntarily fell upon
he tin dlppcr, which still reta ired lis
'lden place upon its ire's,ng bureau. He
started up, and approaching it, took it int"
his hands and examined II long and attentive
iy. Still retaining it, he came to Eva's side
MISS Phillips %
She looked up drearily on hearing her
name spoken, but her face brrghtend instant
ly when she beheld her old plaything.
MAY ask how you came by this, Miss
PhilIips?"
sit was given to me by a peddler some
years ago his name is on The side"
And you have preserved it through all
tins time YOU evidently pr'z t!'
'Prize u!-sir, ir has saved my life."
"Would you Ike to see the g,ver oc that
trifne toy? Would 1t please you to see Eu
gene Fuer"
'Yes, il " ould crafty ne sb, We all thrns
Then would thank him for the good his gift
h IS heen t. mt" "
''Then Eva Phillips, look up into my face
and thank me! am Eugene Fullcrn'
The girl rose to kei feet, and threw a long
aearching look into the face of the young
stanecr. Then her eyes fell, and she said
with something OF doubt
us it lrue?"
sit is true" he answered.
She put her hands confidlngly in his.
"And is i, Eugene Fuller to whom owe
my preservation from a terrible death in
that time when"
Her voice failed sigh heaved from the
lDmosr depths Of her hcart-her frame shook
tears, blessed tears, flow d like rain down
her face. They were the first she had shed
since her orphanhood. Engene blessed them
for he knew that only through much weep
ing coald the burthen which crushed her be
Iightened.- When she was calmer, he drew
her down beside him on the settce and said
GEv, If is fifteen wears a1o that a