Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-09-30
with them the trees which overhung


with them the trees which overhung
| the stream.
Now it happened that. by a curious
coincidence, Miss Newton also resolved
| to look at the river. She dried her
tears, and putting on her hat, slipped
out by the back door to avoid Fred,
| and soon found herself at the foot of q
huge cottonwood tree on the bank be-
| low the house. Throwing herself up
on the grass, and lulled by the rapid
flood beneath, she soon fell asleep
Had she possessed any power of fore
seeing the future, it would have been
the last thing she would have done !;
for although it was very pleasant drop
ping asleep there in the shade, with
the soft sunlight flittering
| through the leaves overhead,
| the awakening was not at all to her
mind. \ terrible crash made chaos of
her dreams the tall cottonwood toppled
and fell; and Miss Becky Newton
found herself in the cold flood, with
her mouth full of muddy water. In a
moment more, somebody's arm was
around her and she felt herself lifted
up and placed in the sunshine, though
precisely where, she was as yet too be-
wildered to know. Getting her ewes
open at last, she found Fred Eckerson's IS
Whlskers nearly brushing her face.
We'll y
Well =
Where am % asked Becky, shiver-
ing and looking around her.
You are in the middle of the Missis-
sippi,' replied Fred. and you are III
= g, l. -, !
are voyaging towards the Gulf of MeXi-
cOjust as fast as the freshet can carry
YOU
How came you here?'
'In the same conveyance with your
sells, Miss Becky. In fact, you and
and the tree all came together, to say
nothing of portion of your fathers
plantation, which fear is lost to him
forever
Becky was silent. She was thinking,
not of the accident or oftheir perilous
position, but of her appearance when
she was lying asleep onthe grass.
How long were you there before this
happened p she asked,
AS long as you were. I was up in
the tree when you camel
You had no right to be up there
she said, coloring, spy upon my
movements
'Nonsensen he replied you intru-
ded on my privacy, and while you
slept watched over you like the sweet
little cherub that sits UP aloft'
Thank you for the service, I'm
sure she said bridling.
You snored awfully.'
'Mr. Eckerson, remove your arm
from my waist
Then put yours around my neck
Indeed, ! shall do no such thing
You will fall into the river ifyou do
not
Becky was silent for a few moments,
while the unwieldy raft whirled along
in the current, rolling from side to
side. and threatening every instant TO
turn completely over and tip them OFT
AT last she said
What are we to do?
L think, now that | am started,
shall go on to New Orleans he replied.
TO New Orleans, exclaimed Becky.
1t is hundred milesn
Yes, and chance of a free ride for
a long distance is not to be neglected.
You can go ashore if you prefer
She burst into tears.
You are cruel, she said, Ito treat me
sO.'
Cruel, exclaimed Fred, drawing her
closer to him, quicLlly-'cruel to you?
There was no help for it and she
again relapsed into silence, quite con-
tent, apparently, to remain III Fred's
arms. and evincing now nc disposition
to rebel. For once i'll her life she was
dependent on man.
4 want to 90 to New Orleans, con-
tinued Fred after a pause, because
there is young lady of my acquaint-
ance residing there, whom | have an
intention OF inviting into this neigh
bOrhood.'
oh y
we don't 60 to New Orleans, and
if we get safe out of this scrape, L shall
write Tor her to come anyway
'Ahu
shall obtain board for her i'll St.
Jean, which will be convenient for me
as long as L remain your fathers guest.
| can ride over after breakfast every
morning you see.'
She is an Intimate friend, then,'
said Becky.
Il expect to marry her before long,
he replied.
Marry her. Why you-you proposed
to me this morning
Yes, but you refused me. L told
you then you would never have anoth-
er chance
70 BE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT.