The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-11-06

horse US there was in the country. and
good buggy, and might have enjoyed my
self if had not been so awkward
As it was, had trod on Florence's dress
struck her bonnet with my ell VOW 10 getting
into the carriage, switched the whip into
her face, and did score of other thing,
which would have died to prevent.
She made me so terribly conscious that
had hands and feet that must be disposed
of some way, and how this disposition was
to be accomplished was the question.
Paul Stanford loved Florence also, but
his love did not make fool of him as mine
did of me. He was always Just so polish
ed and brilliant, and could say his wttesi
things with the dark eye of Florence full
upon him-just as well as if she had been
a thousand miles off Oh, how | envied
him his easy, quiet nonchalance, and how
chafed and irritated | was by the patroniz.
ing air he assumed towards me-
But at last fate gave me a chance to do
Florence service to prove to her that ]
was not coward, though | might be an
awkward clodhopper.
Marley was n seacoast town. and it was
to avail himself of sea air and 3athing that
Mr. Wayne had removed thither. Almost
every Gue day he and Florence we're down
on loint Pleasant beach-Mr. Wavne
bathing, and Florence reading to and wath
ing him.
The attachment between this father and
daughter was very strong--possibly be
cause Mrs. Wayne had tried hard to be
both father and mother to his girl.
Sometimes when | could get un suiG
cient courage to do so, I would 90 down to
the point and join them, but these occasions
were rare, because could not make sure
that Florence wanted me to disturb them
often. True, she always smiled and made
room for me on the rock whore she found u
scat, but she did not smile much. and she
had way OF looking ont to sea which made
me fancy she was dreaming dreams in
which could have no part
Stanford was not 81 particular. He was
down at the Point almost every day when
the Nayucs were there. and tho smell of
his cigar and his light laugh hoated land
ward together on the sea blcezc.
1t was in July that the manufacturing
company in which all my property was in
vested, failed and left ne very nearly pon
nIcsS. 1t was plain that | mnst 90 to work.
aud | was conrageons enonGh to he wiling
to take hold of anything which offered
But the times were dull, workmen plenty.
aud work scarce. and in spite of all nv pf>
luris, nothing presented itself for me to do
was gloun.y aud down hearted for the
most part, and everything looked cherries
and apprehensivc. In this mood. one gray
September day, I strolled down to tho
Point. | had not expecre6 any one would
he there, but as | turned an angla of the
path, | saw Florence in water. proof
cloak ard hood, in her old seat; and I
caught out in the surf the g,cam of Mr..
Wayue's red bathing suit.
Even as | gazcd, and before I had spok-
en- 20 her, sharp cry broke from Florence
and | saw with dismay that Mr. Wayne
had GOT beyond his depth, and not being
able to swim the undertde which was very
strong al that point, was sucking him under
in spite ol his determined efforts to resist
it.
In moment was buffetng the waves,
and though | am strong man and an ex-
ira GOOD swimmer, must confess that more
than once was on the eve of giving over
and letting fate dispose of both myself and
the helpless burden with which | was try
ing to reach the shore
But the sight of Florence standing on
the sands, her face white as death--her
arms extended towards us.gavc me strength,
and by ano by more dead than alive,
succeeded in laying the old man at his
daughters feet And | would have risked
my lie over and over again for the sake of
hearing her say again as she did then
" William Morton, may Heaven ever
bless you You have saved all l have to
love :"
Paul Stanford was on the spot almost
immeGiateI VERY much out of breath
and very profuse in his protcstations of
sympathy. lie had witnessed the danger
of Mr.. Wayne from Colney's Hill, quar-
ter OF mile away, and had come with all
haste, but too late to be of any material as
sistance He hoped. however, that
Miss Wayne would not refuse him the
pleasure Of supporting her father to the
cottage.
And so by his superior tact and address
he managed to secure for himself what [
was dying to ask for, the privilege of ac-
companging them home.
But Wayne remembered With gratitude
the service had done him. Three days
aiterward | received a letter from the
President of the Shore Line and Point
Pleasant Railroad, saying that could have
the situation OF station agent aud signal ten
der at Bachly's Bridge. The salary was a
liberal one considering the duties to be
performed, and | was indebted for the offer
of the situation to Mr.. Wayne, who was a
personal friend of the President.
OF course | accepted the position. I was
in need Of employment, and this place
would pay me better salary than could
hope to earn anywhere else by manual labo.
alone. 1t was a trust of responsibility bu
| prided myself on my punctuality and in'
tarrity and had mn faar i m ran,rd 70 hoinf