Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-10-07
ON THE BOOMING NISSIS-
SIP PI
Love on q Log


CONCLUDED.
Becky was silent again. 1t is a mat
ter of some doubt whether, had Fred at
that moment, sitting astride that cot
tonwoOd log. with his feet in the wa
ter and his arm around her waist, pro-
posed to her a second time, she would
have accepted him or not. TO be sure
marvellous change had come over
Becky's feelings since her tumble into
the river, She felt that one strong
arm, like that which supported her,
was worth thousand old and decrepIt
planters, and she recognized the fact
that man who could talk so cOolly
and uncOncernedly in situation of
such extreme peril, was of no ordinary
courage. But she was not yet quite
prepared to giveup her golden dreams.
The drOss was not quite washed out of
her soul and she did not yet know how
much she loved Fred Eckerson. Be
sides she did not half-believe him.
Their clumsy vessel floated on. now
root first, now Sideways, and now
half-submerged beneath the boiling
current. Their precarious hold became
more uncertain as their frames became
chilled by the cold water, and every
plunge of the log threatened to cast
them once more into the river. IN
vain Fred endeavoured to attract the at
tentiOn of some one on the shore. The
cottonwood retained course nearly
in the middle of the stream, too far
from either bank to render their Out-
cries Of much avail. As it grew dark
their situation seemed more and more
hopeless, 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 need be brought within the
valley Of the shadow before she could
know her heart? Had she loved him
all along? While she was thinking
about it, CALLED 10y the night air, she
fell asleep. When she awoke the stars
were out, but she was warm and COM
Portable. Raising her head, she found
herself developed in Fred's coat.
'Fredr
'Wellu
you have robbed yourself to keep
me warm, You are freezing
No, | amt. l took it off because it
was 50 awful hot; and, taking out his
handkerchief with his disensaged
hand he made pretence of wiping
the perspiration from his brow.
How long have l been asleep?'
About three hours. We are drifting
ashore now
Shall we be saved?'
Il don't know. Put your arms
around my neck, for l am going to
take mine away
Becky did this time as she was bid
She did not only throw her arms
quickly around his neck, but laid her
head upon his breast without the
slightest hesitation. In the darkness
Fred did not know that she imprinted
a kiss upon his shirt bosom.
Hold fast now y lie cried. Hold on
for dear life.'
The log had been gradually nearing
the shore for some time, and it now
shot suddenly under large sycamore
which overhung the bank and trailed
its branches in the brown flood. Quick
as thought Fred seized the limb above
his head and pulled with all his might.
The headlOng course Ofthe cottonwood
was checked it plunged heavily and
partly turned over; its top became en-
tangled in the sycamore, and a terrific
cracking of limbs ensued. With a
sudden spring Fred gained the pro-
jecting branch, dragging his clinging
burden after him. In another instant
IL nd
continued its voyage down the river,
while the bent sycamore regained its
shape with such a quick bound that
the two travellers were very nearly pre-
cipitated into the stream again. Fred,
half-suppOrting half-dragging Becky,
worked his way to the trunk by Sc
ries of gymnastics that would have
done no discredit 10 Blondin, and in a
more, both reached the ground
in safety.
That is a buiness we are all out of,
he said, when he had regained his
breath. Now where are we "
he looked about. y light was glim-
mering from habitation behind them,
a short distance from where they stood.
Becky could not walk without great
pain, and Fred lifted her lightly III his
arms and started for the house. 1t
proved to be the dwelling of a small
planter who was not lacking in hospi-
tality. Here their wants were quickly
attended to, and under the cheering
influence of warmth and shelter Becky
was soon herself again.
They drove home on the following
day, Fred having procured the loan OF
the planters horse and chaise tor that
promising 10 return them by
MIR. NewtOn's servants the day after.-
The morning was bright and clear, and |
The fragrance of the orange groves was
IN the air. Becky, who had main |
aimed almost utter silence since their !
escape from the cottonwood, was no |
ess Silent now. Fred himself did no;
appear particularly communicative, |
md many miles of the long ride were /
AIKEN without a remark from either
It was Becky who spoke first.
Fred, she said.
'Nesu
you have saved my, life have you
lot?
Happy to do it any day he re-
not knowing exactly what
Use TO say.
i thank you very much
quite welcome, Pm sure
There was another long silence,
,roken only by the sound ofthe horses
loofs upon the road. Fred himself
eemed to have lost.some of his habit
lal ease, for he kept his whip in con
tant motion, and held the reins ner-
'ously.
Fred y
Yes -