Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-04-26
ALEXANDRIA, PARISH OF RAPIDES Ia :

, ones self in these old woods. Am
All the crooks, and turns, and d
vious pathways, the poor child soc
s found herself bewildered, and began {
, cry in sad earnest. Then she called Il
help, but no voice answered her. Plum,
ing desperately at last into path she ha
vague hope might lead her in the rigf
direction, she followed it for some dii
tance, pausing, all at once, with violer
start, as in little thicket on the side {
/. the hill she saw-John Durham
, Floy's first feeling was one of intens
relief; the next instant she shrank bac
into the shelter of the trees. "I'll folio,
at distance" she muttered, but no
let him see me for the world-the pomp
Gus old prig!"
Still she could not for the life of he
nelp putting out her little head to se
what the "pOmpous old prig "was doing
With his hat lightly extended in his hand
an expression of mingled rapture ant
anxiety on his face, he was stealing eau
tiously toward the edge of the bank
There, evidently, in the center of tha
wild rose tapestry, swinging so grace
fully from tree to tree, had settled tn,
prize he was so anxious to secure. Floy
watched him, look of mingled amuse
ment and contempt comically depicted or
her pretty face.
"There, nov! one would think the
whole world depended on his catching
that butterfly. l hope you'll lose her,
Mr.. Pompous. Good !--she's fluttered off.
Now, he follows her, all excitement.
Gracious he's just on the edge of the
bank. Shall call? Nonsense he's big
enough to take care of himself. He
wouldn't thank me--Op
with a piercing shrek, Floy sprang
from the thicket where she had concealed
herself. John, in the hurry and excite
ment OF the chase, had set his foot upon
rolling stone. Phe consequences were
disastrous. Over the steep bank he went.
clutching vainly at the brambles for sun,
port. An appalling silence followed.
Floy stood one instant, white anj al
most stunned with the sudden shock
Then she rushed forward, gained the
bank, and, kneeling on its edge. looked
down, with an agonized shrinking glance.
There ne lay, poor fellow! quite pale and
still. his'head dangling bact ward little.
while over those sable locks a narrow
crimson stream slowly wound its wav'
bis arms were thrown out, his hands still
clenched convulsively over the bramble
clusters he had clutched in his fall,
Floy, frozen with horror, knelt silently
a moment, gazing at the pale face and
rigid form beneath. Her head swan. her
heart grew sick. Was he dead? How
stiff and still he layl She burst into loud
cries of entreaty and self-reproach.
o, John-JOhn are you dead? Look
up, for Gods sake! o. wicked girl that
was, not to speak. Help-heip!" she
shrieked, wildly.
Slowly the heavy eyes unclosed. With
Infinite pain, John turned his head a little.
:" Who's thatr' he. said, family.
30, thank God :" cried Floy. ioyfullv.
springing to her feet. Keep quite still
and will come down to you."
John muttered something she did not
understand. Going little distance. she
began to descend the steep path leading
down the bank. 1t was ticklish work
even for our light-footed Floy, and, half.
way down, she slipped, fell, and rolled
the rest of the way. John
uttered brief ejaculation, but Floy was
up In an instant, scratched and bruised. |
her white dress black with mud, but 9TH
erwise uniUuTed. Scarcely pausing for
oreath, she bounded to Johns side.
~, Mr.. Durham, are you much hurt ?" |
'he asked, In tremulous tones, as she |
xnelt beside him. John opened his eyes |
again, and fixed them on her with be- |
Wlidered stare, moment. Then, with |
mother low groan, he tried to raise him.
,elf.
I" Don't move-don't mover, entreated
fIoy. ~, your poor head-how it |
,leeds! There's brook near by: I'Il be |
back In moment"
Taking up his cap, she bounded of in
he direction of the stream. Dipping her
In the water, and filling the |
zap. she darted back to Jot ms side.
"Now, let me see this poor head" she
'aid and, sitting down, she took it gently |
'n her knee. Poor child she was little
lsed to wounds and bruises; the very
light OF the flowing blood made her trem-
Die from head to foot. But she controlled
herself bravely, and, with what simple
XIII she possessed, bathed his head and
ace, and bound up the former carefully
win her two handkerchiefs. Then she
,aused moment, looking down with
tenderness at the pale face on
Ter knee: How helpless he lay-the great,
trong fellOw-as helpless as little infant.
lmost! She felt great rush of pity and
enderness toward him.
"Thank you," said John, family. The
resh, cool water had somewhat revived
i'm.
20, don't thank me-" said Floy. bur-
iedly. "You are in dreadful pain, aren't
ou?n
Yes; it's my ankle" muttered John.
I'm afraid it's broken. Where are all
he rest, Miss Floyg'
1.-The dear knows!" said Floy, claspinQ
er little hands In distress. "Hurry, Kate
help, o help!"
"It's of no use," she said, after waiting
moment. 81 must go in search of them
gain. But first let me look at this poor
nkle, Mr.. Durham"
"No-no," said John, little fretfully.
lild!'
"But might make It feel little easi- .
=, gently persisted Floy.
"lf you could slit the boot down from ,
le top" said John, his brow contracted !
ith agony. ''Here's my knife" ,,
Floy took the knife, and, following his :
rectons, carefully slit the boot from
le top to the bottom, on both sides.
hen, with hand still slightly tremu- !
us from the operation, she gently re-
owed the remains of the boot. 4