The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-07-05
partially locked in slumber.

strained by a vague dread Of the con-
sequences which are generally suppos-
cd to attend the arousing OF any one
from tho state in which she then was.
On the other hand, concern for her
safety prompted me to follow her,
and prevent her from running into
danger.
With her snowy raiment falling
about her person like the drapery Of
some classic statue, she fitted before
me as silently as a shadow, save when
her long gown caught in twig, or
brushed over dry leaves, She moved
so rapidly that l had to follow with n
brisk step to keep her in sight.
With no little anxiety saw her
approach the spot where the jewel
was lost. What if she sho0ld at
tempt TO descend to the ledgel L
shuddered at the consequence of ono
false step, and determined TO go for
ward and awaken her at all hazards.
But just then she gained the tree and
stopped. and began TO walk slowly
back and forth.
l Thought she might now change
her mind, and return to the house. IN
that case, | would let her so undis-
turbed.
AS she walked to asd fro, she ap-
preached quite near TO me aud then
receded TO distance of some yards.
The further end of the turn was near
the tree. This presently struck me.
If she attempted 10 descend it would
be at this point. determined to fol-
low her the next time, and if possible
get between her and the precipice -
But as she reached the end Of the
walk, instead OF turning as | expect
ed, she Suddenly disappeared among
the trees which iringed the brow OF
the cliff.
For moment / stood moiionless
with CONSERVATION. The next, |
sprang forward just in time TO see
her vanish down the decliSity!
| cannot express my feeling at that
moment Ny brain was in whirl.-
4 deadly sickness came over me. ]
leaned against a tree.
The feeling was but momentary-
Then l bent forward in agonized sus-
pensc. | was listening for the dread
splash ! Oh, how the time dragged
Ii seemed like an age, in every mo-
ment of which my brain done tue
work OF days.
Her words recurrcd 10 me so vivid
ly that 1t seemed rs if voice repeat
ed them IN my ear:
a hundred feet below ~
/ shrunk within myaclf with sort
of superstitious horror, at the recur-
renee Of the strange feeling. which
had crept over me when my cigar
was extlngu!shed in the water, aud
seemed 10 see in it something pro-
phetic.
Then I threw of the incubus that
paralyzed my faculties, and sprang
forward with 4 hoarse cry:
''Halcyon y
Slipping, falling, catching at the
bushes aud sapplings in my rreeipi
tate descent, | reached the ledge aud
gathered myself up from the heap in
which had fallen To look around Tor
the object OF my solicitude.
Ny cry, aud the noise of my body
crashing through the bushes, aroused
her, and she stood in bewilderment.-
As she caught sight of me she utter
ed low ejacu!ation of terror, and
turned to 1y. In her confusion and
alarm she would have thrown herself
from the cliff; but strength deserted
her limbs; she had toitered on the
brink! sprang forward and caught
her falling!
With wild jealousy of death, who
had SO nearly snaiched her from me,
l clutcied her to my breast, limp
and liieless burden, and shrans away
from the fatal verge. Again and
again | pressed her TO my heart. L
showered kisses upon her face and
hair. laughed in wild self.gratula-
ton as | whispered Sale! Safe"
Then her death-like stiffness recall
ed me TO myself, and gathering her
carefully in my arms, toiled up the
declivity and made my way toward
the house.
On the way ] had time to collect
my thoughts. The stir which would
be occasloned by my carrying her in
TO the house in that condition occur
red to me; and the thought OF her
wounded delicacy, should such an ad-
venture become the subject of COIN
mon gossip, determined me to change
my course.
Turning, / followed the cliff until
1t finally sunk to the level of the wa
ter. There / laid her ON the turf, and
tried the simple means within my
reach to restore her to consciousness.
What is the matter? Where am
I?n she asked, when she regained
command over her faculties.
| gently explained to her, and she
listened with her hands covering her
glowing face. Then she silently took
my arm to return to the house.
AS we parted, she looked steadily
into my eyes for moment, and then
said in a voice that thrilled me:
Mr.. Dent, l thank you! Good
night"
Then she was gone.
The next morning I was unsuccess-
ful in finding the brooch and felt a
little piquod at the lack of concern
she displayed when ! announced my
failure, especially since she firmly neg
atiyed my proposal to replace the
jewel.
"But, Halcyon," Z expostulated
surely, You will not deny me the
pleasure of repairing the loss p