The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-16

away"
Becky did this time as she was bid
She did not only throw her arms quick
ly around his neck, but laid her head up
on his breast without the slightest hesita-
ton. In the darkness Fred did not know
that she imprinted kiss upon his shirt
bosom.
:" Hold fast, now p he cried. Hold on
for dear life p .,rs
The log had been gradually nearing the
shore for some time, and it now shot
suddenly under a large sycamore which
overhung the bank and trailed its branch
es in the brown flood. Quick as thought
pulled with all his might. The headlong
course of the cottonwood was checked,
it plunged heavily and partly turned
over its top became entangled in the syca-
more, and terrific cracking of limbs
ensued, With a sudden spring Fred gain
ed 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 regained its shape
with such a quick bound that the two trav-
elers 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 done no dscredit to Blondin, and in
moment more both had reached the
ground in safety.
"That is a business we are well out Of"
he said, when he had regained his breath.
"Now where are we?
He looked about. A 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 in his arms and
started for the house. 1t proved to be
the dwelling of 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 day,
Fred having procured the loan of the
|
promising to return them by Mr. New
toms servants the day after. The morn
ing was bright and clear, and the fra
GRANGE 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 appear particularly COM
municative, and many miles of the long
ride were taken without remark from
either. 1t was Becky who spoke first
" Fred" she said
eyes %
You have saved my life, have you
not ?"
Happy to do it any day." he remarked,
not knowing exactly what else to say.
+" thank you very much"
"Quite welcome, Pm 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, aud held
the reins nervously.
"Fred p
" Yes %
"Are you going to write to that young
lady in New Orleans ?"
81 s'pose So"
Hadn't you-better try again-before
you-before you write ?''
He turned his eyes full upon her, and
opened them wide.
"Try again try what ?"
"Tve been thinking through the night"
said Becky, bending low to hide her
face, and carefully separating the fringe
of her mantilla, that-perhaps-if you
asked me again the same question-that
you did yesterday morning might an
swer little different ea
Becky's head went against Fred's shoul-
der, and her face became Immediately lost
to view.
"You darlingp' he exclaimed, "I never
intended to do otherwise. The young
lady In New Orleans was wholly myth.
But when, may ask, did you change your
mind ?"
81 have never changed it," she muir
INJURED. 81 have loved you all the time
but ] never knew 1t until last night"
And to this day, when Mrs. Becky
Eckerson is asked where IL was that she
fell in love with her husband, she answers
"on log"
eB~ Why does the girl of the period
make the best housekeeper? Because she