Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-03-28

has she fingered in my thoughts. Shall tell
you of her? - rre
One summer l came TO Greenville. l was
in rather i'll health, and had come from the
noisy city to recruit. One evening was ia
king stroll through The quiet village street
A soft September evening. Just between day.
light and darkness, was walking and think
ing with deep regret, how soon l would be
obliged 10 leave the lovely place, when / was
startled by a piercing scream. Before
me was a handsome cottage almost en-
powered in running plants aud vines. just
then young girl ram shrieking in agony out
Of the house, her light drapery all in flames,
fitting through the spacious grounds toward
a lake could catch a glimpse of through the
trees.
Quickly I started after her, hoping to reach
her before she could get into the water. But
was too late. for she was already in the wa
Ter, and would soon be where it was deep
enough to drown her. started in after her,
and caught her arm just as hei head disap-
peared drew her 20 the bank and wrapped
her in my shawl.
Beautiful Alice Leel White and calm as a
marble statue. she lay on my arm, the fair,
golden hair streaming in moist dank tresses to
the shining beach. Blue eyes covered with
snowy lids; face white and rigid as death,
yet withal beautiful necklaces that always
dwelt there.
The snowy muslin was floating in little
shreds over the water.
By this time the mother, little sister and
servants were hurrying down, affrighted and
terrified by the screams they had heard.
Oh my God, she is dead r. exclaimed
the agonized mother, kneeling before the pal
lid form in my arms. No, Ma.lam, only a
swOon," replied.
Garry your young mistress to the house. -
I added, pointing 10 one of the hired men,
"while another Of you go quickly for doc
tor"
They carried her to her room, and while l
disFObed her of the dripping clothes that yet
remained, chatting the cold hands, bathing the
white face. they went for the doctor, who
soon appeared.
/ The delicate limbs were figLtfully burned.
Only her neck, one arm, and the sweet face,
with its frame OF golden hair. were uniniured.
One limb was so badly burned that it would
make her a cripple for life, the doctor had
told me.
You have got good nerves; 1" who are
you z" asked the blunt old doctor q on
" stranger, come to your village to pass a
summer" Young woman, you have saved
this young girls life; viii you not tell me
your name ?"
"Amy Clifford" Thanks and he wrote
the name down in his notebook.
q You will come often to see her, will Won
not? Alice is a sweet child" and here the
old man cast loving glance toward her, as
she lay there, only half conscious of what
was passing around her. AS he had feared
for two months she lay in raging fever
The old Doctor at last, shook his head mourn
fully, and said " there is no hope" as he
brushed away tear. for the old man had
loved the gentle Alice, as every one did, that
knew her.
Her poor mother was almost frantic she
loved her child to idolatry. Her husband
had been taken away but one short year be-
fore, and the wound was deep, and yet fresh.
Now must her Alice, her darling. be taken
tOo2 And she clung yet more closely to heI
other enc, little Maude, only five years old
Very different was she from Alice. Inky
black hair, curling in short rings around q
pure, olive face, melting black eyes, one mo-
ment flashing with merriment, the next full
of mourniul tenderness
A faulty little creature was Maude, bat al
ways SO penitent and sOrrowful, that she was
rarely punished for her misdemeanors, and
loving her sister Alice, almost worshi9ping
her as something purer and better than earth
~ beings. Daily I visited the sick one
watching almost every night by her side. for
I too had learned 70 love the beautiful girl
Her mother was very helpless now, with hel
great sorrow, leaning almost entirely on me
who was a stranger in the village, ana was
thankful, for wished to be near Alice.
had never had any one to love before; is il
strange tba; l cluug 10 her?
There was 4 young man in the village that
came every morning with an Offering of flow
ers, which were almost always pure, pale IL
lies, which were fitting emblems for her they
were intended for. he was frank, handsome
fellow. loving Alice with all his ardent ma.
ture, suffering very much when they said she
would die. One morning he came, and as ]
was there, 1 went down myself to see him.
I started at beholding the white, haggard fac,
before ne. Why, Mr.. Grahame, do not take
your trouble to heart so she will not be gone
forever, only gone before. God help US all tc
bear this great affection. l pity you, Mr.
GTahame, my heart aches for you"
"ohI Miss Clifford, God knows need pi-
ty. Win you LEI me see her it may be fol
the last time. l viii be so quiet" and HI
grasped my hand, his pleading white fac,
looking beseechingly at me, the great black
eyes looking ike Goals of fire.
could not resist him, and bidding him bt
cautious. 1 led the way to the private parlor
where Alice lay in heavy stapor. knowing
no one, unconcious Of all around her; great
changes had passed over that fair face, greater
than Leslie Grahame had thought could be.
"oh.I Alice, my poor Alice" he moaned
sinking down by her side. buryIng his fac,
in his haRds.
"Hush remember your promise, and d.