The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-28

far line of seacORst, the Wnlte shhu b'o
silyerv in the sun. Far of group of path-
ers. in bright dresses, frolicked between
shore and water. They came from the great
hotel down beyond she could almost eaten
the sound of their voices as she sat slowly
rocking in her doorway. 1t was quiet
afternoon the air was soft aud soothing, and
the widows heart so full of bitterness, felt
itself sweeten and soften in the stiffness.
This part of the shore, sheltered by It's over
hanging rock, was seldom disturbed by IN
truders, but presently the watchers eye
caught sight of young girl splash'ng ana
frolicking in the water just beyond the rocks
1t was pretty sight, the rounded arms the
curving shoulders, the swayipg, floating ng'
ure. And perhaps the old woman recalled
with a sigh the time when she was young
and blthe too, and had as CHEEKY voice as
| that with which the fair swimmer hailed her
companions in the distance.
Gazing absen.ly on the smiling scene a
reverie fell upon her, and when she looked
again. the young water-nymph had disap-
peared. She had probably swan ashore be-
hind the rocks. The widow turned away,
hugged her thin shawl over her shoulders,
aud thought that the sea wind was chilly
Hark What was thatY Surely she heard
cry. No merry shout or ringing laugh this
it might be the cry of wild bird on its way
| to its mate.
She couldn't have got beyond her depth,
that young creature, surely But, Ia! what
of it if she had2 Dying young, body gets
quit of deal of trouble. Aud-Yes, surely
that was scream. The widow looked sharp
" out. Would Tom never Gomez The tide
was rising, and and something certainly
was the matter She called-she beckoned
frantically to the bathers beyond-they
seemed both blind and deaf
"No one, not one soul at hand, and that
young thing in peril of life" A minute
she stood still, listening--a feeble old wo-
man with haggard, red-face, to whom
no one would have dreamed of looking for
help.
az can't stand this" she said "Seems !
might pull out that old scow myself Tom!'
she screamed, with a yell that held the con-
centIated energy of ten years. But no Tom
appeared. And II was the widow herself
with those withered old hands. that disdain-
ed the minister's kitchen work-it was the
widow herself. who, straining, tugging, and
with her gray hair futterinC in the wind
unloosed the old dur.out from its moorings,
and trembling, unskillrul, armed with rude
paddle, went spinning out dizzily over the
rude water. 1t leaked, the old scow; j,
scorned the broken paddle and the heavy
oars, bat finally it came drifting out blind
" and dizzly to the object of her search. A
plump hand, with glittering ring upon it.
clutched the edge of the boat, nearly over
setting it. A young, eager face, with
streaming hair, looked up from the water
and grasping, shuddering, half-drowned
and wholly scared, the young water-nympf
was presently aboard the old craft.
"Oh, how frightened was ?" she cried
81 felt sure was losing all my strength
and would go to the bottom. Oh, you gooc
old soul you dear soul! how ever did 20,
get to me in that water-logged craft"
at has seen its best days, certain" sale
the widow, tugging at the oars.
"You don't look able for such work," sai'
thegirl.
81 haze seen better days" was the quie
answer.
And then-oh, sufficient reward of all he
efforts this real lady, this fair young cir
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 neve
be able to row down to that point, where
left my clothes, and can't walk to the ho
tel; I'm awfuly tired. Can't you put m
ashore at your place, and send word for IN
down yonder %
The little dark cabin on the shore bright
ened up with an unwonted lustre as tn
widow sheltered her young charge, an
changed her we garments for some of he
own.
"Ifmy Tom would only come, I'd sen
him for your things"
ooh, no matter! I'll wrap your shawl &
bout me, and walk down myself you know
only scared. Dear me, how ! was scared
Ny old nurse used to teach me not to screal
but if | hadn't screamed, where should /
now, / wonder"
"They have seen better days, the clothes
miss, and I'll not deny that they've been
good company in their time; but they'r
not fit for lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty, mi'
chi evous laugh. She read the weakness I
her rescuer, and treated it tenderly
"Whatever lady has worn is fit for
lady to wear" she said, and forthwith wral
ped herself, smiling, in the old gray shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his re
shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and
string Of fish on his shoulder, stood in Il
, doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest stan'
f ing on the hearth stone, a bright fire b
a hind her and the kettle boiling cheeril
: She nodded to him familiarly. Tom thougl
T he must be dreaming
) "Tom and / are acquainted" )" said she.
2 "Are you ?" responded the astonished wi
}, ow.
5 "Yes," said the girl. "I've watched To
: many time walking along shore with
red shirt, and once he took me and faith
e out rowing. Ton, your mother saved IL
= life"
S "Saved your life" echoed Tom, wi
: never in all his life had heard of his mot
er's doing anything before.
|, Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried
c in search Of the missing garments. Al
J. meanwhile his mother betook herself
is making cup of tea for her protege.
is was wonderful how little warmth of
man feeling had reused this woman to |
4 =