National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-02-10

10 save. ! tNlncd one arm around hcl
dainty waist, aud drew her bcauteots head
with its dropping fleece Of locks, upon my
shoulder, while the rushing, foaming, tor.
rent, bore us along over rocks that bruised
aud tore our flesh, through deep, swirling
pools, that stroye to suck Us under. and
down steep cascades, where the waters
broke with kissing roar, though they mer-
/ r'ly cleaned aud flashed in the crimson
glow of the setting sun. Bruised and bat
tered by the collision with the cruel rocks,
the hte-brcath well nigh stihed in my
TIN )at, and my strength rapidly giving way.
yet | clung tightly to the pittty stranger
then unconscious in my arms, fully resolved
that grim Death himself should not part
Us. Over another waterfall the fast flowing
Hood carried us. and when we issued from
the flying foam at its foot, TO feebly float
was all that could do. My brain was all
IN whirl, all power Ia resist "as fact ioa'-
ing me, when the current bore us under
the bank at place where bushes reached
almost to the waters edge. gyasped a
root, but the swift stream tore me from my
hold and gave up hope.
An instant afterward, however, found
myself caught in The bushes Of tree that
had fallen partly across the nullab. and to
it clung with the mad desperation that
love Of life alone can instil in the heart Of
| man. | still held the lady, clasped her
close to me, though feared she never more
would breathe again. was not one TO
relinquish the prize had SO strenuou,ly
battled for SO, using what little power
still possessed, | pushed her up, and laid
Ia, 81. / ALL, I -, lnI
on the tree myself
At this point the nulah's bank was low,
and only tall trees dotted the plain beyond
its brink. As | Strengthened myself, |
saw, to my exceeding joy, three ho semen
coming swiftly across the patena. hal
looed loudly, AT tractcd their attention, and
they rode swiftly down when they recog-
nizcd the perllouS predicament | was in
My head was dizzy and was wel-nigh
overcome with exhaustion; but managed
to retain my hold until felt pair Of
strong arms clutch me and bear N ashore.
Then ! sank into deep Swoon.
When my senses returned, discovered
that was lying upon a couch III my own
quarters, and by my side was standing
Lieutenant Elowson Two other gentle
IltAl W tIb stulNu lltdI tllt WIN
their backs toward me
Nv ho was she. Ned Is she dead ~ |
asked, when remembered what had oc-
cured
Ere my friend could reply, the two gen
tlenen | had noticed rose from the r seats
and came quickly toward where | was ly-
ING. One grasped my hand. | glanced
upward, and saw the collector bending over
me
/" 1t was my wife, my brave fellow, and
in few days hope she will be sufficiently
recovered to thank you personally for hav-
ing so gallantly rescued her from terrible
death. She only arrived yesterday morn
ing, and was riding over to the Colonel's,
with Captain Raper, DR., Middleton and
II Yself, when her horse bolted, and this ac-
, Ient occurred As for that other matter
between you and |, Holroyd, you may call
tell you plainly will never raise my hand
against you-you, who have proved your
self such hero-you to whom ! owe an
everlasting debt OF gratitude ; for you noby
risked your own life in saving that Of my
precious Bertha. and may God bless you
for the gallant action you performed he
said, and his fine, frank face cleaned, and
his eyes glistened with tears, as he gazed
upon me.
tried to reply, but was terribly pros
trated, and choking sensation in my
throat stayed my utterance. sunk lack
upon my pillow and closing my eyes, men
tally thanked Heaven for having aided me
to preserve unto my late enemy a life val |
ued taI more than his own.
Some weeks passed before regained |
but Mrs. Fraser. who had
not sustained surh severe contusions as
myself, nursei he SO tenderly that | at
length recovered my pristine yigor. Many |
years have gone by since then, and Mrs
Fraser's locks are grayish now ; but her
daughters have the golden hue her moth
er's wore when first we met, and her face |
has the same sweet expression. The dear
est friend have on earth is the man whose |
wife | saved-the man who challenged me
o a duel that was never fought