The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-04-25

less, and TO Becky there appeared to
be no escape from certain death,
either by drowning in the darkness or
by exhaustion before daybreak.
Yet to die in this mans arms
seemed not wholly terror. She
could hardly think, if death must
come, of any way in which she would
rather meet it. Was it possible she
loved him, and must needs be brought
within the valley of the shadow be.
fore she could know her heart. Had
she loved him all along? While she
was thinking about it, chilled by the
exposure and the night mir, she fell
asleep. When she awoke the stars
were out, but she was warm and com
Portable. Raising her head, she found
herself enveloped in Fred's coat.
Erred !"
"Well :"
"You have robbed yourself TO keep
me warm. You are ireezlng."
No amt. | took it off because
il WAS so awful hot" and taking out
his handkerchief with his discngaged
hand, he made pretense Of wiping the
prespiration from his brow.
"llow long have | been aslecp?'
"About three hours. We arc drift
ing in shore now"
"Shall we be saved 2"
II don't know. Put your arms
around my neck, for I'm going 10
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 Lreat without the slightest
hesitation. In the darkness, Fred
did not know that she imprinted Il
kiss upon his shirt t-bosom.
Hold fast now" he cried. "Hold
on. for your dear life ~
The log had been gradually nearing
the shore for some time, and now il
shot suddenly under large sycamore
which overhung It's banks and trailed
is branches in the brown food
Quick as thought Fred seized the
limb above his head, and pulled with
all his might.
The headlong course Of the cotton.
wood was checked; il plunged heavi
ly and turned partly over, it's top be.
came cntangled in the sycamore, and
a terrific cracking of leaves ensucd-
With sudden spring Fred gained
the projecting branch. dragging his
ciinging burden after him. In another
instant the cotton wood had broke
away and continued it's voyage down
the river, while the bent sycamore re-
gained its shape with such quick re
bound that the Two travellers were
very nearly precipitated into the
stream again. Fred, half supporting
half dragging Becky. worked his way
To the trunk by series of gymnastics
that would have been no discredit to
Blondin, and in moment more botl
had reached the ground in safety.
That's business we are well out
Of" he said when he had rcgsined hi,
breath, "Now, where are we"
lie looked about. 4 light was
glimmering from habitati0n 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 foi
the house. 1t proved to be the dwell
ling of a small planter who was not
lacking in hospitality. Here thei,
waits We're quickly attended to, and
under the cheering influence oi
warmth and shelter, Becky was soor
herself again.
They drove home the following
day, Fred having procured the loan o.
the planters horse and chaise for thai
purpose, promising to return them b,
Mr. Newton's servants the day after
The, morning was bright and clear
and the fragrance of the orange groves
was IN all the air. Becky. who had
maintained almost utter silence sine,
their escape from the cottonwood
was no less silent now. Fred himsel
did not appear particularly communi
cative, and many miles of the Ion.
ride were taken without n remark
from either. 1t was Becky who spok.
first.
/ Fred" she said.
"Yes!"
"You have saved my life, have yo,
not 7"
Happy to do it any day." he re
marked, not knowing exactly wha
else to say.
II thank you very much"
"Quite welcome, I'm sure"
There was another long silence
broken only by the sound of tn
horses boots upon the road. Free
himself seemed to have lost some o
his habltual ease, for he kept his whil
in constant motion, and he held tn
reins nervously.
Erred p
ayes"
care you going to write to tina
young lady in New Orleans ?"
II s'pose So"
Hadn't you-better-try again
before you-before you write ?'
He turned his eyes full upon hei
and opened them wide.
"Try again try what ?"
'I've been thinking through tn
night" said Becky, bending low t
hide her face, and carefully separatln,
the fringe of her mantilla, "that-pel
haps--if you asked me again the sam
question-that you did yesterda
morning. might answer little dii
ferent."
Becky's head went against Fred
shoulder, and her face became imme
diately lost to view.
"You darling!" he exclaimed, g
never intended to do otherwise. Th
young lady in New Orleans was who
ly a myth. But when, may ask, di
you change your mind?"
| 81 haze never channad IL y cha n, 4,