The Cecil Whig., 1875-09-11

1t was too dark out there for him to see
face at these words. How much they
meant to me!
| 81 knew l was as good as saved" said
he, "when l saw you standing there with
tightly clasped hands and your upper lip
pressed by your shining teeth, while Belle
and the other ladies were trying to drown
the roar of old Niagara with their shrieks.
l never saw one Of your sex before who had
the control over herself that you mani
Tested to- day. If had seen such an exhi-
bition anywhere, it would naturally have
awakened my admiration; but when it
happened to be an exhibition in which my
own life or death was concerned, you may
imagine my feelings"
The tone in which he uttered these words
was so tender and true-it said SO plainly
that he would gladly devote all his future
life to me! But though tone and manner
said this, his words did not say it, and
knew the reason. He believed me already
betrothed.
William Willis was the son of New
York merchant, who had been a school
mate with my father. 1t was my fathers
wish that we should be married. loved
my father and was anxious to be pleased
with his friends son. Young Willis had
been frequent guest with us, and many
considered us already betrothed. He was
an agreeable companion in the parlor-a
good dancer, and all that; but cared more
for one look of Joseph Harrison's honest
gray eyes than l did for William Willis
whole composition.
| According to a previous appointment,
Mr.. Willis came to the Falls during our
stay, arriving on the evening of the day
that witnessed Mr.. Harrison's narrow
escape from death; he came out on the
piazza where we sat, that evening, and we
shook hands.
The gentlemen were slightly acquainted,
but it was plain Mr.. Harrison did not like
Mr.. Willis much; and with a playful,
g Ich mass ,oeggehen," to me- he rose and
went into the ball room, politely offering
his seat to Mr.. Willis.
Several days passed. While actually in
the position of rival toward Mr.. Willis,
Mr.. Harrison by no means permitted him
self to act as if he were such. He was
very courteous to Mr.. Willis, and quietly
yielded all preferences relating to ME in
society. He seemed, however, to be study
ing us-weighing the evidence of regard
between us-trying to form a conclusion as
to the probable extent of our relations
matrimony- ward. Oh! it seemed to me as
though he might-so brave man as he
was-plainly put few questions to me on
the subject l would quickly have assured
him how little Mr.. Willis was to me.
At last, l had nearly made up my mind
to do desperate thing; nothing less, in
deed, than to seek the intercession of his
cousin, my friend Belle. l would tell her
how much l loved Mr.. Harrison, and beg
her to inform him in some sly, feminine
way, that should never marry Mr.. Willis,
and that we were not engaged, However,
neglected to do this just one day too long.
1t was on Monday, the last day of our
intended stay at the Falls. Mr.. Willis
invited me to ride. l had no courteous
refusal at hand, and l consented to 60 with
him. Indeed, l had half promised him
some days before. There was a New York
friend of ours staying at the Falls, who
had with him a favorite horse-a fiery,
handsome animal, and Mr.. Willis had
repeatedly invited me to ride behind him.
could put off the ride no louger, of course
did not much like the viscious manner
in which the horse, at starting, laid back
his ears and bounded away, but l said
nothing. We had not been riding many
minutes, ere the animal chose to take
fright at the Tapping of line full of
newly washed clothing in door-yard of a
house near the river bank; and taking the
bit in his teeth, he ran away. Our road
lay along the bank. Safe enough, GER
tainly, for ride with a horse under con-
troll, but decidedly not the best place for
runaway, because there was a spot, not
over half mile distant, where the
chances were frightfully great that we
should be thrown over the precipice and
killed. At the rate we were now going,
we should reach that dangerous place very
soon. William Willis, looking ahead, COM
pretended the danger, and his face blanch-
ed.
| "Good Godr' he cried, s'it's deathr'
With that he threw up the reins and
Jumped out of the buggy, striking rock
and breaking his collar bone, as l found
afterward.
AS for me, kept my seat. If it should
become necessary for me to jump, then l
would jump; but was determined not to
demanded by the imminency of the danger
at hand. So long as there was possibility
that the horse's progress might be arrested,
l held to that hope; because, when horse
is running furously down a smooth road,
there is no choice between Jumping places
till the crisis is at hand.
While l sat, clnging firmly to the seat,
and looking sharply out ahead, for the
dangerous place must now be drawing
near a man-it was Mr.. Harrison-sprang
| Will aSeohiShliiS aS iiiIy a1 luc holSe Hettu
from among some trees at the road side,
caught the bit, .jerked it back, and out of
the horses teeth, and actually tore the
animals lips SO that the blood flowed, so
energetic was the action, there was no
resisting the iron will backed by the iron
nerve. The runaway came to stop. Mr..
Harrison drew him to the side of the road
and examined the harness and buggy care
fully.
"Nothing broken" said he. GA very
narrow escape, Miss Monroe. l saw you
coming and just had time to get my wits
order. There, don't thank me: l didn't
know it was you, and should have done
the same thing for any one else."
"But you are hurt" said l, noticing
that he limped.
eyes, the horse trod on my foot"
"Oh, how unfortunate! Shall get out?''