The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-02-07
KENOsHA WISCONSIN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Z 1867.

mercy. She prayed as she had never
prayed before-praying for the
peace which came not But pride kept
her up. She was so grateful that Field was
absent. She wanted him to stay away unit
she could gain little strength with which
to meet the painful crisis so near at hand
''When he comes back she said to her
self, Il will give him back his liberty, and
then-God help me !"
The day before his expected return, Edith
went to the river to draw water for the
next days cleaning. 1t was nearly Novem-
Der now, and Mrs. Fernleigh was in full
blast at her favorite business. house clean
ing.
The river ran very swift at that point,
for only a few rods below was the Falls.
She had nearly finished her task, when
something azure and golden fell into the
water little way up the stream, and the
shrill scream that burst on the air came
from the lips of Gertrude Ashmead. She had
been searching for flowers, and had ventured
out too far on a freacherous projection OF
roots and earth
And just before her was the Falls, with
their sharp, cruel rocks, over which no one
could pass and come forth with the SEM
blance of humanity upon them A fearful
thought shot through Edith's mind. Il
Gertrude died what stood between her and
Archelaus Field She drove the demon
forth with fierce cry. God help me and
her !! We both need it,"
She ran swiftly along the brink of the
stream to narrow point which extended
out several feet just above the Fais-and
clinging to the dropping branch of a willow,
she waded In waist deep, and was just. III
| season to catch the floating drapery Of Ger
trude as she was sweeping past. Miss Ash
mead still retained her consciousness aud
chung to Edith with all the deathly tenacity
of the drowning.
Edith put the branch of the willow into
her hand. 'Hold fast to it, and | will try
to wade to the shore to help you mp. 1t
will not sustain the weight of us both"
She relinquished her hold-took step
forward-her foot slipped over wet pebble,
and in moment the swirling current drew
her out of her depth. She looked up at the
blue sky-her last look she thought-and
the thunder of the Falls shut out all other
sound
But strong arm cleft the waters just below
hOi3 anu oil iuoIhlII dlI0T bIl0 Vi hICllO
laus Field closed round her. He bore ner to
the shore and pressed his cheek to hers
Edith, my darling my darling God be
be thanked you are safe -
go to Gertrude" she said family, ''she
needs you. And L will not keep you longer
Keep me!'' he cried passionately, you will
keep me always! And Gertrude has no special
need of my services-she has got safe to shore.
Do you know | have not seen you for six
whole days, and now [ have taken you from
the very jaws of death ~
She lifted herself from his embrace, and
tried to speak calmly Mr.. Field it might as
well be done now. Do not give expression to
what you do not feel. L know Gertrude
your betrothed wife-she is waiting for you
and forgive you the wrong you have done me!
l can bear it all, just as l have borne burdens
always-it will not be so hard for me as for
some"
''My little Edithl' he had her in his arms
again, and was kissing the color back to her
lips. "And so you think | love Miss Ash
mead? A fiirt to whom, was foolish enough
to give a. icsson. She has iiirted with half the
men in her set, and came here expressly to try
her arts on Stanley and myself"
'But Mrs. Ashmead said" began Edith
and then she stopped suddenly, and remem;
bering her promise.
''NIrs Ashmead said we were engaged, did
she? Mrs. Ashmead broke the ninth COM
mandment, and she knew it, l love only you,
Edith, only you, of all the women in the
world And Miss Ashmead is my witness
this is my betrothed wife, Miss Ashmead, and
as yo owe your life to her, hope you will be
very good friends when we are settled in
New York.
Miss Ashmead paled to the lips-she knew
the game was up, but she was not much troub-
led with heart, and she did very well. Only
she did not stay in Hillsdale to assist in her
own defeat. Her mother was weary of the
country, she said, and two days afterwards
the stage took them away.
And at Christmas, Field finished his labors
and he carried his wife to his home with
him. The old life of toll Edith left behind her
forever and the new life of rest and love
opened to receive her.