Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-12-05

splraClon from MS DrOW4
"How long have b asleepw
"About three hours We are drift
ing in shore now."
ssShall we be saved ~
81 don't know. Putyoar arm around
my neck, for I'm going to take mine
away"
Becky did this time as she was bid
She not only threw her arms quickly
around his neck, but she laid her head
upon his breast without the slightest
hesitation. In the darkness Fred die
not know that she imprinted a kiss
upon his shirt-bosom.
"Hold fast now, he cried. "Hold
on for your dear life
The log had been gradually nearing
the shore for some time, and it now
shot suddenly under a sycamore which
oyerhung the bank and trailed its
branches in the brown food. Quick
as thought Fred seized the limbs above
his head and pulled With all his might.
The headlong course of the cotton
wood was checked; it plunged heavily
and partly turned over, its top became
entangled in the sycamore, and a ter
rible cracking ensued. With a sud-
den spring Fred gained the projecting
branch, dragging his elinging burden
after him. In another instant the
cottonwood had broken away and con-
tinued it's voyage down the river, while
the bent sycamore regained its shape
with such a quick rebound that the
two travellers were very nearly precip-
itated into the stream again. Fred,
half supporting, half dragging Becky,
worked his way to the trunk by a Sc
ries of gymnastics tlsat would have
done no discredit to Psondin, and in a
moment more both md reached the
ground in safety.
"Thats a business 4e are we'll out
Of" he said, wlen. he ID regained his
breath. .Now, whs i we p
.1I =-11IL..---=..sszzssssss-.s...-.1 S;uassslirn-
mering from habita behind them,
short distance from where they stood.
Becky could not walk without great
pain, and Fred lifted her lightly in his
arms and started for the house. It
proved to be the dwelling of a small
planter, who was not lacking in hospi-
tality. Here their wants were quick
ly attended to, and under the cheering
influence of warmth and shelter, Becky
was soon hersel again.
They drove home on the following
day. Fred having procured the loan
of the planters horse and chaise for
that purpose, promisingto return them
by Mr.. Newton's servant the day after.
The morning was bright and clear, and
the fragrance of the orange groves was
in the air. Becky, who had maintain
ed almost utter silence since their es-
cape from the cottonwood, was no less
silent now. Fred himself did not ap-
pear particularly communicative, and
many miles of the long ride were taken
without a remark from either. It was
Becky who spoke first.
''Fred," she said.
"Yesw
"You have saved my life, have you
not?"
"Happy to do it any day." he re-
marked, not knowing exactly what
else to say.
"I thank you very much.''
'EQuite welcome, Pm sure"
There was another long silence, bro
ken only by the sound of the horses
hoofs upon the road. Fred seemed to
have lost some of his habitual ease, for
he kept his whip in constant motion,
and held the reins nervously.
"Fred?"
eyes"
'sAreyou going to write to thatyoung
lady in New Orleans ?"
81 s'pose SO.
Hadn't you-better-try again
before you-before you write?'
He turned his eyes full upon her,
and opend them wide.
''Try again? Try what ?"
"I've been thinking through the
night" said Becky, bending low to hide
her face and carefully separating the
fringe of her mantilla, "that-perhaps
if you asked me again the same ques-
tion-that you did yesterday morning
Il might answer little-different.' %
Becky's head went against Fred's
shoulder and her face became immedi-
ately lost to view.
"You darlingv he exclaimed, 81
never intended to do otherwise. The