The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-01-21
VOLUME 8.

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.
Il 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 I left my clothes, and can't walk
to the hotel; I'm a~fullY tired. Cant
you put me ashore at your place, and
send word for me down yonder?"
The little dark cabin on the shore
Frightened up with an unwonted luster
as the widow sheltered her young
charge, and changed her wet garments
for some Of her own.
"If my Tom would only come, I'd
send him for your things"
40, no matter" I'll wrap your shawl
about me and walk down myself after
I've rested a bit. I'm not hurt, you
know, only scared. Dear me, how rrds
scaredi My old nurse used to teach me
not to scream, but if hadnt screamed,
where should / have been now, ] won
der?"
Mrs. Minton would have gladly part
ed with the last shred she possessed, and
gone shivering the rest of her days, to
see her worn out gown donned so hand
somely 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; bnt they are not fit for lady now.
Her companion laughed, a pretty,
mischievous laugh. She read the weak
meas of her rescuer, and treated it ten
derly.
Whatever lady has worn is fit for
a lady to wear" sbe said, and forthwith
wrapped herself, smiling, in the old gray
shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his
red shirt cleaning in the setting sun,
and a string of fish on his shoulder,
stood in the doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearthstone, bright
FIRE behind her, and the kettle boiling
cheerily. She nodded to him familiar
ly. Tom thought he must be dreaming.
"Tom and are acquainted" said she.
"Arc your" responded the astonished
widow.
ayes" said the girl. "I've watched
Tom many q time walking along shore
with his red shirt, and once he took me
and father out rowing. Tenn, your
mother saved my life."
"Saved your lifer' echoed Tom, who
never in all his life had heard of his
mothers doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring. was hurried
off in search of the missing garments.
And meanwhile his mother betook her
self to making cup of tea for her pro-
ege. II was wonderful how a little
warmth of human feeling had reused this
woman to life and activity again.
When Tom returned, laden with vari-
ous articles of apparel, the two were
quietly slipping their tea together at the
old round table.
He did not return alone, however.
Following him came tall gray headed
gentleman.
"Here's fatherl" cried the girl, SPRING
ing forward. "Oh, father, this good la
dy has saved my lifew
Lady! The widow Minton wanted to
kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro-
nounced the words.
"Well, my dear" said the old gentle
man, good-humoredly pinchiug the
plump cheek, "she has done it very
thoroughly. You certainly don't look
very near death just now"
Whereat the story, with due enlarge
ment and variation, was told him with a
pretty pout.
The father smiled, but also he furtive-
ly wiped away a tear.
"Well, madam" said he courteoualy,
''accept my cordial, thanks for looking
after my little madcep Belle. She's my
only child, you see, and as full of pranks
as any Dozen"
Belle play put her hand over her
mouth, 81 won't have my character ira
duced where they've been so good to me"
she cried. "And oh, father, isn't this
beautiful place-such a view of the wa
teri / mean to come down here every
day and do my sketching.
"I'm afraid" said the sire, shaking
his head, "that this good lady will hive
cause to wish she had thrown you over
board"
"Oh, no, father; she likes me and ]
like her. And I've fallen in love with
Tom long ago, you Know"
Tom blushed painfully. Something
strange and new stirred in his mind.
did not sweeten his
thoughts as they did his mothers for
Tom had never seen better days, and felt
as if he were being made a jest of.
A week passed, during which the
young girl strolled almost daily to the
cabin. When she was there Tom seldom
entered the house. He had grown shy
and snlky; he sat on the shore darkly
brooding, or went of silently to his fi-h-
ing.
One morning Belle and her father de-
parted. Belle kissed the withered cheek
of her friend, and that was all. For when
mention had been made Of helping her
substantially, the widow had drawn her
self sharply up, all the lady shining in
her eye.
81 may have seen my best days." che
said, "but haven't come down to that
yet. And if needed any rewarded, I've
had it now" she added, as she felt the
soft blood mantling in the cheek that
Belle had kissed.
Long after the two had left, Tom went
about with a cloud on his face, and in
his ears we're ringing those mocking