Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-01-27

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ject of her search. A plump hand
with a glittering ring upon it, clutch
ed the edge of the boat, nearly upset
ting it. A young, eager face with
streaming hair, looked up from the
water, and gasping, shuddering, hall
drowned, and wholly scared, the
young water-nymph was presently
aboard the old craft.
ooh, how frightened | was - she
cried 81 felt sure | was losing my
strength, and would go to the bot
tom. Oh, you good soul you dear
soul how ever did you get to me in
this water-logged craft p
at has seen its best days, certain, u
said the widow, Juggling at the oars.
"You don't look able for such work, "
said the girl.
Il have seen better days." was the
quiet answer.
And then-oh, sufficient reward OF
all her efforts this real lady, this
fair young girl with the soft hands,
and the pretty bathing dress, actually
replied, 81 thought so.'
"Here give me an oar" she added,
still painting. "But, my dear soul.
We'll never be able to row down to
that point, where / left my clothes,
and can't walk to the hotel; I'm
awfully tired. Can't you put me
ashore at your place, and send word
for me down yonder p
The little dark cabin on the shore
frightened up with an unwonted lus-
ter as the widow sheltered her young
charge, and changed her wet gar
ments for some of her own.
at my Tom would only come, I'd
send him for your things"
ooh, no matter I'll wrap your
shawl about me and walk down my
self after I've rested bit. I'm not
hurt, you know, only scared. Dear
me, how | was scared My old nurse
used TO teach me not to scream; but
if [ hadn't screamed where would /
have been now, / wonder ?"
Mrs. MintoD would gladly have
parted with the last shred she pos
sessed, and gone shivering the rest of
her days, to see her worn out gown
donned so handsomely by the bright
lassie
"They have seen better days, the
clothes, miss, and I'll not deny that
they've been in good company in
their time but they're not fit for a
lady now
Her companion laughed, a pretty
mischievous laugh. She read the
weakness Of her rescuer, and treated
it tenderly.
"Whatever lady has worn is fit
for a lady to year. she said, and
forthwith wrapped herself, smiling, in
the old grey shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his
red shirt CLEAN ing in the setting sun,
and string of fish on his shoulder,
atood in the doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearth stone, a
bright fire behind her, and the teaket-
tie boiling cheerlly. She nodded to
him Familiarity. Tom thought he
must be dreaming.
"Tom and / are acquainted" said
she.
"Are you ?" responded the aston
ished widow.
eyes," said the girl. GIVE watch
ed Tom many a time walking along
shore with his red shirt, and once he
took me and my father out rowing.
Tom, your mother saved my life"
"Saved your life - echoed Tom,
who never in all his life had heard of
his mother doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hur
ried off in search of the missing gar
ments. And meanwhile his mother
betock herself to making cup of tea
for her protege. 1t was wonderful
how little warmth Of human feeling
had reused this woman to life and ac-
tivity again.
When Tom returned, ladened with
various articles Of apparel, the two
were quietly slipping their tea toge:h
err at the old round table.
He did not return alone, however.
Following him came tall, grey head
ed gentleman.
Here's father!" cried the girl,
springing forward. "Oh, father, this
good lady has saved my life !"
Lady {! The widow Minton wanted
to kiss the beautiful rosy lips that
pronounced the words.
"Well, my DEAR" said the old gen.
tleman, good humoredly pinching the
plump cheek, "she has done it very
thoroughly. You certainly don't look
very near death just now"
Whereat the story, with due en-
largement and variation, was told him
with pout'
The father smiled, but also he fur
lively wiped away tear.
"Wel, madam" said he courteous
", "accept my cordial thanks for look
ING after my little madcap Belle
She's my only child, you see, and al
full of pranks as any dozen"
Belle playfully put her hand oveI
his mouth. Il won't have my charac
ter traduced where they've been So
good to me-" she cried "And oh
father isn't this a beautiful place
such a view of the water / mean t.
come down here every day and do m.
sketching."
"Pm afraid" said the sire, shaking
bis head, "thst this good lady vii
have cause to wish she had throw
you overheard"
"Oh, no, father she likes me an
| like her. And I've fallen in low
with Tom long ago, you know"
Tom blushed painfully. Somethin
strange and new stirred in his minG
Compliments did not sweeten hi
thoughts as they did his mothers, 70
Tom had never seen better bays, an
felt as if he were being made a jes
of.
A week passed, during which tn
young girl strolled almost daily to til
cabin. When she was there Tor