Marshall County Republican., 1875-02-18

g
Avenel "more gorgeous than the lilies
of the field"
"I saw her, if you mean Mrs. Ban
froid. "Look, Avenel, can you see that
ship in the distance And he strained
his shaded eyes, as though in that ship
centered all his hopes.
''Shipl No what are all the ships
on the sea to glorious woman like that
How can you be SO insensible9 just look
at her now, as she swims :"
1t was indeed fine sight to see that
graceful form, in its brilliant bathing
dress, glinting in and out among the
waves, like golden-backed dolphin at
play. Henry, gazing ON the vision, for
| got to dissimulate- forgot that his eyes
were to be schooled to hide the feelings
of the heart He forgot everything till
Avenel touched him ON the arm.
"Henry, has she completely bewitched
you! have spoken to you twice, and
/ You have not answered me-"
! Percival turned to answer, feeling q
blush creep over his usually pale face,
and inwardly invoking a Madison upon
/ his old tell-tale blood when, all at once,
! fearful cry, loud and ominous, crossed
upon the air.
He turned again toward the bathers.
+ The golden backed dolphin had dis
appeared, and there was great and hor-
rified cry of "The under-current! the
llnder-cllrrent :"
Percival was an expert swimmer. In
an instant his coat was thrown aside, and
he was in the midst of the breakers,
dashing away wildly toward the object
of his love and solicitude. Once-before
he reached the spot where she had dis
appeared-he caught glimpse of the
bright yellow dress she wore, then lost
it, then caught it again, grasped it, and
went with it under the gr .dy wave.
But he was strong of arm and warm of
heart. He emerged from the treacherous
waters bearing ON one arm the apparently
hfeless form of her he had risked his own
life to save.
Two days after this occurrence Henry
Percival was pacing the mOOnlit beach
alone The surf was rolling finely,
throwing back the pallid rays of the
queen of night, and scattering spray in
drops of silver dew Henry did not see
all this beauty his face was shadowed
by frown.
"Why did / ever come herel" he
asked himself, impatiently. "And why,
now that have made public spectacle
of myself, do 1 not leavel Everybody
saw me kiss her as brought her out of
the water, and the news of my absurd
presumption Is sure to reach her ears
Tomorrow morning, Henry Percival,
you take the boat for home. Tomorrow
morning, mind, before there is the least
possibility of her making her appearance
out of doors" And the young man GER
tainly meant what he said.
He looked from his survey of the
sands as he said this, his eye seeking the
direction of her window. He did not
see the window, however, for there, right
before him, wrapped in luxurious shawls,
and leaning on the arm of lady's maid,
stood her smiling and blushing self.
"Mr. Percival, said she, holding ont
her hand, 81 have found you at last.
But, having found You, l am at loss
how to thank you for 80 inestimable a
thing as my life
The tears shone in her beautiful dark
eyes. Percival could have kissed them
away willingly, but he assumed as much
indifference as he could.
81 am not aware, Mrs. Banvard," he
said, "that am entitled to any graft
tude. I was simply fortunate enough to
be the only one to rescue you"
"You were fortunate enough to be
the only one to try, as l happen to
know, said she, little embarrassed by
his chilling manner. 81 insist upon
thanking You, and claiming not only
your acquaintance but your friendship"
"My friendship, fear, Mrs. Ban
ward, would not be of much benefit to
you. l."
"Win you give me your arm, Mr..
Percival! l have fancy to argue that
point with YOU"
She took his arm, dismissing her ser-
want, and they walked together on the
sands for half an hour. You will not
imagine, if You have the least faith in
psychology, that Henry could feel the
thrill of that little hand upon his arm for
thirty minutes, and communicate no
sense of IT to her. =
"Did you say her name was Banvardl"
asked Mrs. Percival of her son.
"Banvard-yes. Do you know the
namel" exclaimed Henry, in surprise.
A quick flush passed over the mothers
face
"Yes," she said, 81 used to know it
once. But you love her, You sayl"
Fool that am-yes. Don't despise
me, mother that is all / ask.
Despise you, Henry! i only wish
there was woman on earth good enough
for YOU" Something more than a
mothers pride lighted up Mrs. Perci-
val's face as she spoke. "DO you think
that this woman loves you!" she asked,
earnestly.
"I do think so but what of it2 /
could never ask her to share my poor
destiny"
Mrs. Percival was silent a few mo-
ments. By-and-by she said, suddenly,
Henry, am going to tell you some
thing that had intended to keep secret
forever. Ny name was Banvard."
Mother I"
Yes; and believe this friend of
yours is the widow of my cousin"
-