The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-09-12


you ?"
There was no help for it, and she
again relapsed into silence, quite con-
tent, apparently, to remain in Fred's
arms, and eyincing now no disposi-
tion to rebel. For once in her life she
was dependent on man.
Il want to go to New Orleans"
continued Fred, after a pause, be
cause there is young lady of nv
acquaintance residing there whom I
have an intention of inviting into this
neighbOrhoOd.
ooh !"
'If we don't go to New Orleans,
and if we get safe out of this scrape,
shall write for her to come any
way"
"Ah!o
II shall obtain board for her in St
Jean, which will be convenient for me
rs long as | remain your fathers
guest. | can ride over after break
fast every morning you see."
"She is an intimate friend, then"
said Becky.
Il expect to marry her before long"
he replied
Marry her Why you-you pro-
posed to me this morning"
''Yes, but you refused me. / told
you then you would never have
another chance"
Becky was silent again. 1t is a
matter of some doubt whether, had
: Fred at that moment, sitting astride
! that cottonwood log, with his feet in
the water and his arm around her
waist, proposed to her a second time,
she would have accepted him or not.
To be sure a marvellous change had
come over Becky's feelings since her
tumble into the river. She felt that
one strong arm like that which sup
ported her was worth a thousand old
and decrepit planters, and she recOg-
nized 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 give up 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 Besides she did not
half believe him.
Their clumsy vessel foated on,
now root first, now sideways, and now
half submerged beneath the boiling
current. Their precariOus hold be-
came 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 endeavored to attract
the attention of some one on the
shore. The cottonwood retained a
course nearly in the middle of the
stream, too far from either bank to
render their outcries of much avail.
| As it grew dark their situation seemed
more and more helpless, 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 seem
ed not wholly a terror She could
hardly think, if death must come, of
any way in which she would rather
meet it. Was it possible she loved
within the valley of the shadow be-
fore she could know her heart? Had
she loved him all along While she
was thinking about it, chilled by the
night air, she fell asleep. When she
awoke the stars were out, but she was
warm and comfortable. Raising her
head she found herself enveloped in
| Fred's coat.
Fred 7"
"Well !"
"You have robbed yourself to keep
me warm. You are freezing"
mo Faint. / took it off because
it was so awful hot :" and, taking out
! his handkerchief with his disengaged
hand, he made pretense of wiping
the perspiration from his brow.
"How long have | been asleep"
ga bout three hours. We are drift
ing ashore now"
| "Shall we be saved ?"
'I don't know. Put your arms
around my neck, for | am going to
I 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 ~ he 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 food. Quick
as thought Fred seized the limb above
| his head and pulled with all his might.
J The headlong course of the cotton
wood was checked; it plunged heavily
and partly turned over; its top be-
came entangled in the sycamore, and
a terrific cracking of limbs ensued.
With sudden spring Fred gained
the projecting branch, dragging his
i clinging burden after him. In another