Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-10-11

bu HN'Htu hWiNllN'
"Mr. Eckersou, remove your arm from
my waist.'
"Then put yours around my neck"
:" Indeed, shall do NO such thug"
"You will fail into the river II you do
not"
Becky was silent for few moments,
while the unwIe dy raft whired along in
The current, rolling from side to side, and
threatening every instant to turn com
rlelely over and Zip them oil. I At last she
said
"What are we to dol''
81 think, now that ain started, l shall
90 on to New Orleans" he replied.
"TO New Orleans" exclaimed Becky,
il is hundred miles :"
Eyes, aud the chance for a free ride for
such "A distance is not to be neglected.
Yuu can 20 ashore if you prefer"
She burst into tears.
"You are cruel" she said, ''to treat
me so.''
"Cruel," exclaimed Fred, drawing her
closer TO him, quickly-"eruel to yOuf p
There was no help for it, and she again
relapsed into silence, quite content,
apparently; to remain In Fred's arms,
aud evincihg now no disposition 10 rebel.
For once In her life she WAS dependent on
a man.
81 want to go to New Orleans" con-
tinued Fred, after ii pause, "because
there is young lady of my acquaintance
residing there whom ] have an inteAtion
of inviting to this neighborhood."
"Oh 20
''lf we don't go to New Orleans, and If
we get safe out of this scrape, shall
write for her TO come anyway"
"Ahl"
81 shall obtain board for her in st..
Jean, which will be convenient for me as
long as | remain your fathers guest.
can ride over after breakfast every morn
ing yoL see.'
"she is an intimate friend, them" said
Becky.
81 expect to marry her before long"
he replied.
marry her! Why you-you proposed
to me this morning"
"Yes, but you refused me. ! told you
then you would never have another
chance"
| Becky was silent again. II is matter
of some doubt whether, had Fred at that
moment, sitting aslrlde that cottonwood
log, with his feet In the water and bis
arm around her waist, proposed TO her a
second time, she would have accepted
him or not. To he sure marvellous
change had come ovrl Recky's feelings
since her tumble into the river. She let
that one strong arm like that which sup
ported her was worth a thousand old and
decrepit planters, and she recognized the
fact that "a man " no could talk so eoOlly
and uncOncernediy in situation of such
extreme peril, WAS of no ordinary cour-
age. But she was not yet guile prepared
to give up her golden dreams. The dross
was not quite washed out other soul, and
she did not yet know how much she loved
Fred Eckerson. Besides, she did not hall
believe him.
Their clumsy vessel loated on, now
root first, now sideways, ard now half
submerged beneath the boiling current
heir precariuus hold became more un
certain as their frames became chilled 10y
the cold water, aud every plunge of th'
log threatened To cast them once NOR,
mo the river. in vain Fred eudeavoret
o attract the attention of some one oi
the shore. The cottonwood retained 1
, course nearly in the middle OF the stream
. too tar from either bank to render thci
outcrius Of much avail. AS 1t grew darl
their situation seemed more and NOR
: hopeless, and to Becky there seemed to b
no escape from certain death, either irot
n drowning in the darkness, or by exhau=
4 lion before daybr
4 Yet, to die in this mans arms SCENE
3. not wholly a terror. she could hardl
h think, If death must come, of auy way i
u which rhe would rather meet ii. Was
!. possible she loved him, and must need
'c brought within tue valley OF the shade
IA before she could know her heart Ha
y size loved him all along While she ".
10 blinking about it, chilled by the niel
a air, che tell asleep. When she awol
4 thesats were out, but sue was warm al
v comfortable. Raising her head, 81
q found herself euytloped in Frtd's coat.
I'd Erred Z"
a "Well! :"
n. "YOa have robbed yourself to keep Il
to warm. You are iret zing."
II "No, amt. ! touk it off because
al was 50 awful hot " aud, taking out
as hunakt rchlci with his dsei gagged lai
er ne made pretenee of wiping the Iersl
ss ration IRON his brow.
W. "How loug have been asleep :"
Ly "About three hOuis. We hre drifti
in shore now"
Ky ''Shall we be saX,d :"
er 81 don't know. Put your arms arou
TAT my neck, for | am goiug to take mi
of away.
~ Becky did this time as she was
MS She net only threw her arms quici
all around his neck, but laid her head up
wu his breast without the slig ghtust h, sitatit
pry In the darkness Fred did Rot know u
are she imprinted a kiss upon his sh
for bosom.
no "Hold fast, nowr' he cried. "H
red on for dear life !"
The log had been gradually nearing
hot shore for sOmetlIue, ana IL now shot 81
lde denly under a large sycamore that ov
it'll hung the bank and trailed its branches
in the brown flood. Qsick as thou
of Fied seized the limb above his head &
he pulled with all his might. The headlC
YER. coursa of the cottonwood was checked
500 plunged heavily and partly turned ov
lme It's top became entangled in the sy
ring more, and terrific crackliI of lii
fly ensued With sudden spring F
the gained the projecting branch, dragg
ken his clirging burden after him. In
ow- other Instant the cottonwood had bro
this away and continued its voyage down
ther river, while the bent sycamore regal
the It's share with such quick bound
,om- the two travellers were nearly precipita
ring into the stream again. Fred, halt +
nap. porting, half dragging Becky, worked
lpon way to the trunk by series Of GYM
luus tics that would have done no discred
shed Blondin, aud in moment both
nav reached the ground in safety.
iters "That's business we are well ont
shes he said, when he had regaIned his bre
liug Now where are we I"
the lie locked about. A light was g
lred, mering from habitation behind the
oyei- short distance from where they ST
Becky could not walk without great |
CO. and Fred lifted her lightly in his 9
ID to and started for the house. 1t prove
ears, be the dwelling of small planter,
v the was not lacking in hospitality.
ound their wants were quickly attended
wood and under the echeerful influence ofwa
ouse. and shelter, Becky was soon he
and sgain.
soon They drove home on the folio
,ower da,, Ere, having procured the loan q
have planters horse and chaise for that
done, pose, promising to return them by
drop. Newton's servants the day after.
d the morning was bright and clear, an