The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-10-08
was warm and comfortable. Rails.
ing her head, she found herself en-
veloped in Frcd's coat.

Ing her heaQ, she IOund herScl1 en-
veloped in Fred's coat.
"FredE"
"Wefl p
"You have robbed yourself TO
keep me warm. You are freez-
ing"
'No I amt, took it off because
it was so awful hot" and taking
out his handkerchief with his dis
engaged hand he made a pretense
Of wiping the perspiration from
his brow.
How long have been asleep p
"About three hours. We are
drifting in shore now"
"ShaIl we be saved ?"
81 don't know. Put your arms
around my neck, for Pm going to
take mine away"
Becky did Ibis time as she was
biddcn. She not only threw her
arms quickly around his neck,
but she laid her head upon his
breast without the slightest hesi-
tation. In the darkness Fred did
not know that she imprinted o
kiss upon his shirt. bosom.
"Hold fast nowr J" he cried
"Hold on, for your dear life"
The log had been gradually
nearing the shore tor some time,
and it now shot suddenly under a
large sycamore which overhung
the bank and trailed its branches
in the brown food. Quick as
thought Fred seized the limb
above bis head, and pulled with
all his N g h t. The headlong
couase Of the cotton wood was
checked; ; it plunged heavily aud
partly turned over, its top became
entangled in the sycamore, and q
terrific cracking of limbs ensued.
With . sudden spring Fred gained
the projecting branch, dragging
bis clinging burden after him.
In another instant the cotton
wood had brolen away and con-
tinued it's voyage down the river,
while the bent sycamore regained
its shape with such aquick rebound
that the two travellers were very
nearly Pr reci pi ia tie d into the
stream again. Fred half support
ing, half dragging Becky, worked
his way to the trunk by. a series
of gymnastics that would have
dono no discredit to Blondin, and.
in q moment more both had reach
ed the ground in safety.
"That's a business we are we'll
out Of" he said, whom he had re-
gained his breath. "Now. where
are we?"
He looked about. A light was
glmmering from behind them,
short distance from where they
stood. Becky could not walk
without great pain, and Fred lift.
ed her lightly in his arms and
started for the house. 1t proved
to be the dwelling of q small plan.
ter who was not lacking in hospi-
tality. Here there wants were
quickly attended to, and under
the cheering influence Of warmth
and shelter Becky was soon her.
! self again.
They drove home the following
day, Fred having procured the
loan of the planters horse and
chaise for that purpose, promising
to return them by Mr. Newton's
servant the day after. The morn
ing was bright and clear, and the
fragrance Of the orange groves was
in all the air. Becky, who had
/ maintained almost utter silence
since their escape from the cotton
| wood, was no less silent now
Fred himself did not appear par
ticularly 20 communlcatiy e, and
many miles OF the long ride were
taken without a remark from ell
ther. 1t was Becky who spoke
first.
erred " she said.
eyes.
"You have saved my life, have you
not 2"
"Happy to do it any day." he said,
not knowing exactly what else to say.
II thank you very much.
"Quite welcome, am sure"
There was another long silence,
broken only by the sound Of the horses
hoof upon. the road. Fred himself
seemed to have lost some of his habit
ual ease, for he kept his whip in con-
slant motion, and held the relns ner-
vously.
| "Fred?"
"YesW
"Are you going to write to that
young lady in New Orleans"
II s'pose So"
Hadn't better-try again
before you-before you write :"
He turned his eyes full upon her,
and opened them wide.
TRY again ? try what %
"I've been thinking through the
night" said Becky, bending low to
| hide her face and carefully separating
the fringe Of her mantilla, "that-per'
haps-if you asked ME again the same
question-that you did yesterday
morning u might answer little diff
ferent."