The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-09-10

4 tefuaN---in lgnOrance---l uld not Know
what know now, or | would not have
spoken. | meant 10 haye---to have
asked YOU 10 be my wife, for | was
blind 10 every thing but the fact that
loved YOU very dearly. Now il j. all
over, and say---God bless YOU, May
you be very happy"
He raised my hand 10 his lips and
kissed il AS il had been a queen, and
my heart swelled more aud more with
the great pity that filled il even 10 burst
ing; and as he dropped il. and stood
gazing reverently at me, could bear
no more, but ran up stairs 10 throw
myself on my bed, and lie there sob
bling as il my heart would break.
don't know how long | lay there,
dinner and every thing forgotten, but
those two soft, tender, piteous eyes
looking into mine, when | started up
awake To the fact that the room looked
very dark, that il was laundering very
heavily, and there was the sound Of
rushing waters.
hastily bathed my eyes, which Were
now dazzled by the lightning. and
smoothed my hair 10 20 down below:
but ont AT the front the rain was coming
down in sheet, and the little river had
swollen SO that its frothy surface was
level with the foot-bridge.
s'Oh, Miss. amt il awful?r said
voice at my elbow. "Master's III the
mill with Mr.. Murray aud the men, and
they're afraid somethin' will be SWEEP
away-oh,"
The girl-our maid-gave a shrek rs
a vivid flash of lightning seemed to till
the house; and for the next hour the
lightning, rain and thunder were inces-
SAINT, though never left the window
for moment.
Once, in the midst of il all uncle and
Oliver Murray came running up from
the mill, drenched both Of them 10 the
skin, TO fetch screw-wrench and
couple of crow-bars; and the water
streamed from them as they said few
CHEEKY words, telling me not 10 be
afraid, and then ran back.
Suddenly the storm seemed to be
swept back towards the hills, the rain
ceased as if by magic, the thunder grew
more distant, the lightning more rare
but rs hastily tied on hat, and went
out over the streaming paths, the sight
of the little river was now terrific. The
water was almost black, but covered
with foam as il rushed along. The
bridge was swept away, corn sheayes
dad sheep, loose hay, and trees Were
being whirled along, and If it went on
swelling could see that the mill would
be in danger.
"Ah, Nelly, dearest" said voice,
'I've come to see if can be Of any
help;" and turning, there stood John
Fleming, well dressed, dry, and I'M
ruffled, as he threw off macintosh.
just then out from the mill came un-
Gle and Oliver Murray, grimy, soaked
and with their hair clinging to their
forehcads.
"Ah, Fleming, come to help?" said
uncle grimly; '.better stand aside my
lad; we shall soil YOU
He laughed and whispered something
10 me about Oliver Murray's appear
ance: but | turned away indignantly.
a Murray smiled pleasantly, and
said
"Ah, don't look much of lady's
man now. !"
sob, good heavens, forgot that
boy, +" cried my uncle, and he ran down
few yards TO the edge of the stream,
waving his hand frantically; for there
on the other side of the swift current,
now a hundred yards broad, came our
boy Phil, cantering on his pony 10
where should have been the ford. but
which was now a fierce torrent fifteen
feet deep.
"Back, Phil, back" cried my UNI
Gle; and we all waved our hands To him:
but the reckless boy, who heard moth
ing for the roar of the waters, made our
blood run cold, for without a moments
hesitation he gave the pony the whip,
dashed down the road and plunged in
10 swim across.
uttered shrek. | think for the
first time in my life; uncle gave
groan and staggered back; Oliver Muir
ray stood as il turned to stone: and
John Fleming caught me in his arms
and tried to turn me away from the
dreadful sight; but | struggled from
him, TO see our darling wave his hand
for help, as the torrent swept him and
his pony out farther into the stream.
Once the gallant boy tried hard 10
turn the pony's head to swim back, but
he was In the power Of torrent that
would have mastered a hundred times
the little Shetland's strength and ]
knew that there was not particle of
hope.
We all ran down by the side Of the
rushing stream, and could now see the
boys despairing look as he waved his
hand to Us, while John fleming ran
about crying
"a boat, boat!-Go back, Philip,
go back
.Oh, uncle, - cried, catching his
arm, ''you must not-you cannot,'
for he was taking off his coat.
go my hnrf me- hnn SIS hn nrrnnnnd