The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-25

could know her hearth had she loved him
al along. While she was thinking about
il. chilled b. the night air, she fell asleep.
When she awoke the stars we're out. but she
was warm and comfortable. Raising her
head, she found herself euvelopea N Fred's
coat.
"Fred!'
..Weur
''Eou have robbed yourself to keep me
warm. You are freezing
'.No amt. took u of because It was
so awful bot and taking out bis hannd-
kerchief with his fiisengaged hand, he made
a Pretense Of wiping the preparation from
his brow.
'sHow long have been asleepE
about three hours. Weare drifting IN
shore now"
''Shall we be savedlr
81 don't know. Put your arms around
my neck, for I am going to take mine
away"
Becky did this time as she was bid. She
not only threw 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 i'm
printed kiss upon his shirt bosom.
s'Hold fast. nOwn' he cried .'Hold ON
for dear life.''
The log had been gradually nearing the
shore for some time, and it now shot sud
denly under large sycamore winch over
hung the bank and trailed It's branches in
the brown flood. Quick as thought Fred
seized the limb above his head and pulled
with all his might. The headlong course
of the cottonwood was checked; it plunged
I,oov-fT-r .r,I t,aF4 ~ turn 900.
came entangled in the sycamore. and a ter
rife cracking of limbs ensued. With a
sudden spring Fred gained the projecting
branch, dragging his clinging burden after
him. In another instant the cottonwood
had broken away and continued its voyage
down the river, while the bent sycamore re-
gained its shape with such quick rebound
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 a series of
gymnastics that would have done no dis
credit to Blondin, and in moment more
both had reached the ground in safety.
''Thats business we are well out OF, y
he said, when he had regaincd his breath.
+" Now where are wel'
He looked about. 4 light was glimmer-
ing from a habitation behind them, a short
distance from where they stood. Becky
could not walk without great pain, and
Fred lifted her lightly in his arms and
started for the house. 1t proved to be the
dwelling of a small planter, who was not
lacking in hospitality. 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 dav.
Fred having procured the loan OF The plan
ter's horse and chaise for that purpose
promising to return them by Mr. 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 maintained almost utter silence since
their escape from the cottonwood, was no
less silent now. Fred himself did not APP
pear particularly communicative, and many
miles of the long ride were taken without
remaak from either. 1t was Becky who
spoke first
Fred, she said.
"Yesp
You have saved my life, have you
not?"
g Happy to doit any day" he remarked,
not knowing exactly what else TO say.
Z" 1 thank you very much. !"
"Quite welcome, I'm sure
There was another long silence, broken
only by the sound of the horses hoofs upon
the road. Fred himself seemed to have
lost some of his habitual ease, for he kept
his whip in constant motion, and held the
reins nervously.
Fired y
''Yesl''
.'Are you going 10 write to that young
lady in New OrlpaDS2'
II s'pose so.
Hadn't you--better. try again-before
you-before you writer
He turned his eyes full upon her. and
opened them wide.
TRY again; try whatl''
2 ''Pve been thinking through the night, ;"
said Beck, bending low to hide her face,
and carefully separating the fringe of her
mantilla, ''that-perhaps-i you asked me
again the same question-that you did yes
terday morning. might answer little
different.
Becky's head went against Freti's shoulder,
and her face became Immediately lost to view
You darlingr he exclaimed, II never
intended to do otherwise. The young lady
in New Orleans was wholly myth. But
when, may | ask, did you change your
mindl1
Il have never changed it. " she murmurcd
knew it until last night
And to this day, when Mrs Becky Ecker
son is asked where it was that she fell in
love with her husband, she answers ''on
log"