The daily gazette., 1876-11-24
Only The Brave Deserve
the Fair.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

majestic steamer, wrapped in flames, was
the centre of bright Circle of light,
within whose dazzling glare naught was
visible but the turbid waters of the swol-
len river. All beyond was shut out as by
a thick wall of darkness.
Boat after boat had departed, filled
with half-clad, frightened passengers,
suddenly aroused to see themselves in
deadly peril. .....
The last one was about to be showed
of, and there was no time to lose; for
the scofching blaze, which shot forth on
every side, made it dangerous to remain
longer In proximity to the fatal vessel.
sis 1t certain that none are LEFT? ?" said
young man, who had fingered. to the
last before entering the boat, and whose
cool, intrepid daring had saved more than
one life that night at the imminent peril
Of his own.
"At any rate, We can take no more
with safety,p was the response Of an
other passenger, stylish youth, who,
after running about, wild with fright,
seeking in vain to crowd himself into one
after another of the previous boats, had
at length, succeeded in gaining place
in the last.
.'Pull away. my lads y he called to
the men at the oars eve have no time
to waste here"
A piercing cry rose above the confusion.
Every eye was turned towards the burn
ing steamer. There, leaning over the
upper guard, stood young and beauti-
full girl, her face white as the flow
ing night-robe that enveloped her form,
and her arms stretched forth in aganizcd
appeal.
"Hold cried Archey Lester, the young
man who had first spoken; "keep the
boat where she is" Then pulling off
coat, vest and boots, he stood ready to
spring.
at is impossible to reach you through
the fames," he shouted "Leap into the
water and / will save you. Do not
fear"
For moment the girl hesitated. But
| nearer and nearer ragged the angry ele-
ment. She felt its hot breath on her
cheek. There was but one escape from
a terrible death. With the courage of
desperation, she threw herself over the
guard, and the next moment she found
herself supported by the strong arm of
Archey Lester, who had sprung forward
into the water ard caught her ere she
could sink. ~
Archey was a good swimmer and a
few strokes brought him and his burden
| in reach of the boat. As he attempted
\ to grasp the side, the young man who
had shown so much anxiety to save him
self, seized an oar and struck away hi
hand.
81 tell you there is no. room for an
other.r he said. "The boat is nearly
sinking already; besides, you will over
turn it if you catch hold OF it in thai
way, and I'm no swimmer, you see
Come boys, pull away !-self-preserva
ton first of all"
| And there were towards enough among
them to overbear the few possessed o.
more manly instincts, and the boat was
swiftly rowed away, leaving Archey and
his charge to take their chance amid the
dangers of the flood and darkness as best
they might.
J It was the morning of Rose Waring':
wedding-day. She did not seem especially
JOYOUS. The match was one of her faith
er's making. He had set his heart OF
marrying his daughter to Edwin Hardin
the son of an old friend of his, equally
bent on the match.
Young Hardin had spent several year
abroad, and he and Rose had seen moth
ing of each other since they were children
and used to call each other sweetheart in
play. ,vN
Now thatlie was aman, and she nolonge
a child, she failed to discoverin him many
of the Qualities she would have perfe1ved
to find in o sweetheast In earnest.
i True, he was we'll enough in point OF
looks, and was not definite of accomplish
ments. But there was something lacking
she could hardly tell what. Anyhow, HI
was not man to stir her, enthusiasm.
Nor was there much more of ardor ol
Edward Harding's side. At his first meet
ing with Rose, he even seemed a littl
startled; and it was not till after SOM
time that he became quite at ease in he
: presence.
But Rose was dutiful and affectionatt
daughter; and her father, as we have said
having set his heart on the match, sh'
Welded to wishes, doing her best to con
, Ceal whatever of secret repugnance sh
. NAV have felt. As her portion would b
handsome, Edward Hardin found littl
difficulty in acceding to the family al
, rangement on his part.
"I-I am almost sorry," said Rose Il
her father, as they sat at breakfast, =" tina
we invited Mr.. Lester to be present tc
day. ,
sI'm sure don't see how we could d
less" replied the old gentleman, warmly
81 don't know who can have bette
right to give woman away thanth ma
who has saved her life."
Rose gave little sight and was silen
Archey Lester, since the night he Ina
swum ashore, through the darkness, wit
one arm, supporting Rose Waring wit
the other, had, of course, become acquai
ted with her family, though, he lived at
distance, he had more than once take
occasion to visit.
81 hope he won't come said Rose, {
ter long pause.
"That's hardly greatful," retorted NJ
Waring, looking up sharply.
elm his letter he promises to meet us
= the church." said Mr.. Waring. "Yt
see. he comes on the morning train, al
will barely have time to meet up ther
But come; know how long it takes