Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-10-22

trip for her health. As they reached th
warf and descended from the carriage, Susy
eyes made themselves busy searching for
wished for face !; but it was nowhere to b
I .Meu.i The steamboat lay painting and puff
; ing, seemingly impatient to be let loose. Su
; sy's mother, aided by the servant man VIII
4 accompanied them, had already crossed tn
+ gangway which lay between the warf an
the boat, and Susy was reluctantly following
when the sound of a voice behind her-th
very voice she had longed to hear-startle'
her footing, fell into the water.
Another instant and Charles had thrown
off his coat and calling out loudly, "tell the
captain not to allow the wheel to stir and tt
lower me a ropep' he sprang into the wa
ter. But of her whom he was riskiug hi.
life to save, he was unable to perceive any
trace.
Judging that the current of the river nigh
have carried her little forward, be swan
round the wheel, but still he saw her not
and despair seized his heart as be conjectured
that she might be under the boat. He
strained his eyes to see through the water,
and at length dlscerned, far below the sur
face, what seen he end Of floating gar
ment lodged bet. IN the whse and The roun-
ded bottom of the coat.
If this were indeed the uni, rtunate girl,
table crush her, and Charles, in his terror,
fancied it was already beginning to turn
He dived and clutched at the garment, but
missed it He rose painting and almost ex-
hausted; but scarcely waiting to get breath
he again plunged below This time his eff
forts were rewarded with success, at least SO
far that he was able to bring Susy's form to
the surface Of the water? but she seemed
totally lifeless Charles was now so nearly
exhausted that he had only sufficient pres
ence Of mind left to clasp Susy convulsively
to him while he kept himself ahoat by hold
ing on to the wheel
But this, his last hope of support. seemed
also to fail him SOON, as he perceived that it
was now really beginning to turn slowly
round, BY desperate effort, be struck his
foot against one of the paddles SO as to push
himselfas far from the danger as possible
As he did so, something touched his ahead,
and his hand grasped rope. New life
seemed now infused into him. He gathered
all his energies, and fastened the rope round
Susy's waist-consciousness then entirely
forsook him. In the meantime, the witness
es of the scene, after giving Charles instruc-
tons to the captain, had watched his strug
giles and exertions with breathless interest
The friendly rope had been flung to him a
gain and again, but in the excitement of his
feelings, and his semi sensbility, he had
been incaple of availing himself of the prof
fered aid. a.
At last perceived that he was quite ex-
hausted, and must inevitable soon let go his
hold on the wheel, and then probably sink
to rise no more, the captain judged it best to
run the risk.of moving off, 50 that a small
boat could be sent to the rescue. The result
of this hazardous experiment. successful.
Susy was raised by the means of the rope
and boat reached Charles in time to save
him also. .3v ssi =7.af-s.
Both sufferers were taken on board the
steamboat, which now moved off to make
up for lost time.
And thus, when our hero regained his
consciousness, he found himself many miles
from home. OF course his first anxious in
curry was for Susy, and when informed that
she was rapidly recovering, his happiness
seemed complete. He showed his content
ment by falling into a deep, quiet sleep.
About sunset a message came to him that
Miss B-desired to see him. He found
her lying on a sofa in the captains statel DOM
which had been given up to her. She looked
very pale, and somewhat suffering, but she
held out her hand to him very gratefully,
while the tears stood in her eyes
Charles said she, without Offering
word of thankt, Il want to see a clergyman
Is there one on hoard p
Il will 60 ami see," said Charles moving
to the door; but dreadful thought striking
him, he turned, exclaiming "Susy, you do
not think that"
''Tbat I am going to die ?" said she, an
tcipating him ''No Charles but 1 want
to see clergyman"
Charles went and soon returned, accom-
panied by minister
81 thank you, sir, for coming to me-"
said she to the latter as he entered. Il have
a strange request to make Of you Would
you object, sir, in the presence, and with
the consent of my mother, to unite me to
that gentleman 2!
If the minister was astonished at this re-
guest, Charles was infinitely more so.
"What did you say susy ?" said he
Did | hear aright?"
II believe so,' said Susy, smiling at his
eager amazement. 'sDoes the scheme meet
your approval? p
lit was heaven-inspired," cried the poor
elbow, frantic with joy-hut shade coming
,ver his radiant face, he added, gravely
but, Susy, have you considered? Remem-
Der I want your love, not your gratitude l |
will be satisfied with nothing less"
EDO not be concerned about that, dear
Harley" replied Susy, gazing at him very
enderly through her tears; 'sbe assured you t
ave them both, and had the first long, long ;
'efore you had the last +" l
But Susy, you said only yesterday-- r
"Neyer mind what said Yesterday" in i
errupted Susy, with some Of her old spirit \
reaking out ''Just mind what 1 say to- t
ay. If was fool once, is that any rea- c
on | must be one always? But, indeed, +
harley" she added, more softly, Il have t
ways meant to be your wife-the only r
cripple have is that | am not half good
nough for you" u fl b
1t is needless to say how the discussion '
nded. The reader has already OWNED that
harles continued his journey and thus in
lie course of one eventful day he risked /
fe, made an impromptu marriage, and set
ut on most unexpected wedding-trip s.
The ruin Of some men dates from some 81
acant hour Occupation is the armor of =
lie soul. There is satirical poem in which 3