The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-05-23

4 ~ ~ A1Auk Lukl
the neighbornood."
"Ohr'
] 'If we don't go to New Orleans,
and il we get out of this scrape, j
shall write for her to come any
! aAhr'
i \ shall obtain board for her in
! st. Jean, which viii be convenient
for me as long as remain your
fathers guest can ride over every
morning after breakfast, Won see .
/ "She is an intimate friend then ~
asked Becky. ~
! Il expect to marry her before
long, he replied. i taa
MARRY her? why, you-you pro.
posed to me this morning."
'Yes, but you refused Inc. I told
you then you would never have an
other chance" ~
Becky was silent. It was a mat
ter of some doubt whether, had Fred
at that moment, sitting astride Of
that cotton wood log, with his feet
in the water and his arm around
her waist, proposed to her q second
time, she would have accepted him
or not. To be sure, q marvellous
change had come over Beeky's feel
ings since she tumbled into the riv-
er. She felt Just then that one
strong arm, was worth Thousand
old and decrepid planters, and she
recognized the fact that a man who
could talk so cody and uncOncern-
edly in a situation of such extreme
peril, was one of no ordinary cour-
age. But she was not yet quite pre-
pared to give up her golden dreams.
The dross was not quite yet washed
out Of hersonl, and she did not yet
know how much she loved Fred
Eckerson. Besides, she didn't half
believe him. ~ s
The clumsy vessel floated on, now
root first, now sideways, and now
half submerged beneath the boiling
current. Their precarious hold be
came more and more uncertain as
their frames became chilled bV the
cold water, and every plunge Of the
log threatened to cast them once
more into the water. In vain Fred
endeavored to attract the attention
Of some one on shore. The cotton
wood retained a course nearly in the
middle Of the stream, too far from
either bank to render their ont cries
of much avail. AS it grew dark,
their situation became more and
more hopeless, and to Becky there
appeared to be no escape from death,
either by drowning in the darkness
or by exhaustion IN daylight.
But to die in this mans arms
seemed not wholly a terror. She
could hardly think, if death must
come, Of any way which she would
rather meet it. Was it possible she
loved him, and must needs be
brought in the valley of the shadow
before she knew her hearth Had
she loved all along! While she was
thinking about it, chilled by the
night air, she fell asleep. When she
awoke the stars were out. but she
was warm and comfortable. Rails
ing her head she found herself en-
veloped in Fred's coat.
t.Ir.,.l ~ eltl
"WellY'
you have robbed yourself to
keep me warm. You are freezing"
"No / amt. 1 took it off because
/ was so awful hot" and taking ont
his handkerchief with his disengag-
ed hand he made a pretence of wip-
ing the perpiration from his brow.
Show long have / been asleepY
"About three hours. We are
drifting to shore now.
"Shall we be saved?'
81 don't know. Now put your
arms around my neck, for I'm GO
ing to take mine away"
Becky did this time as she was
bid. She not only quickly threw
her arms around his neck, but she
laid her head on his breast without
hesitation. In the darkness Fred
did not know that she imprinted a
kiss upon his shirt bosom.
"Hold fast, nowH he cried, "hold
on for dear life."
The log had been gradually near
ing the shore for some time, and now
it shot suddenly under a large syca
more which overhung the bank, and
trailed its branches In the brown
flood. AS quick as thought Fred
seized limb and pulled With all his
might. The headlong course Of the
cottonwood was stopped; it plung-
ed heavily and partly turned over;
its top became entangled in the
branches ofthe sycamore, and a ter
rife cracking oflimbs ensned. With
a sudden spring Fred gained the
projecting branch, dragging his
elingiBg burden after him. In an,
other instant the cottonwood had
broken away and continued its per-
ilous voyage down the river, while
the bent sycamore regaiRed its shape
with such a quick rebound, that the
two travellers were very nearly pre-
eipitated into the stream again.
Fred, half supporting, half dragging
Becky, worked his way to the trunk
by series of gymnastics that
would have done credit TO Blondin,
and in a moment more they both
reached the ground in safety.
@That's a business we are well
ont Of" he said, when he had re-
gained his breath. Now, where are
WEI"
He looked about. him. A light
glimmered from behind them, a
short distance from where they
stood. Becky eonld not walk with
out great pain, and Fred lifted her
lightly in his arms and started for
the house. 1t proved to be the dwell
ling of q small planter, who was not
lacking in HOSPITALITY. Here Their
wants we're quickly supplied, and
under the cheering influence OF
warmth and shelter Becky was soon
herself again.
They drove home the following
day. Fred having procured the loan
of the planters horse and chaise for
that purpose, promising to return