Connecticut western news., 1877-08-03
ONLY THE BRAVE DESERVE
 THE FAIR.
BY JUDGE CLARK.


 swollen river. All beyond was shut out as by 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 off, and there was no time to lose; for the scorching blaze, which shot forth on every side, made.it dangerous to re- main longer in proximity to the fatal vessel.
 ''Is it certain that none are left?" said young man, who had fingered to the 7 last before entering the boat, and whose cool, intrepid daring had saved more than one life that night at the inn minent peril of his own.
 E'At any rate, we can take no more with safety," was the response of an- other passenger, a 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 q place in the last. -'"
 ''Pull away, my lads?" he called to the men at the oars ''we have no time to waste here.'' r...
 A piercing cry rose above the confu- sion. Every eye was turned towards the burning steamer. There, leaning over the upper guard, stood young and beautiful girl, her face white as the flowing night robe that enveloped her form, and her arms stretched forth in agonized appeal. .. -. ...
 fHoldr' cried Archey Lester, the young man who had first spoken; "keep the boat where she is.'' Then pulling off coat, vest and boots, he stoood ready to spring.
 "It is impossible toreach you through the James," 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 it's hot breath on her cheek. There was but one escape from 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 and 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 ! tn Or1.o n had shown so much anxiety to save him. i self, seized an oar and struck away his hand.
 s''I tell you there is no room for an other," he said. "The boatssis nearly sinking already; besides, you will over turn it if you catch hold of it in that way, and Pm no swimmer, you see tion first of all.''
 And there were towards enough among them to overbear the few pos sessed of more manly instincts, and the boat was swiftly rowed away, leaving Archey and his charge to take theil chances amid the dangers of the flood and darkness as best they might I
 It was the morning of Rose Waring'< wedding-day. She did not seem espec, ially joyous. The match was one of hel fathers making. He had set his heart on marrying his daughter to Edwin Hardin, the son of an old friend of his equally bent on the match.
 Young Hardin had spent several years abroad, and he and Rose had seen noth of each other since they were children and used to call each other sweethear in play.
 Now that he was a man, and she nt longer child, she failed to discover il him many of the qualities she would have preferred to find in sweethear in earnest.
 True he was well enough ill point O looks, and was not destitute of accom- plishments. But there was something lacking she could hadly tell what. Any how, he was not the man to stir her en thusiasm.
 Nor was there much more of ardOr O1 Edward Hardin's side. At his first meet ing with Rose he even seemed littl' startled; and it was not till after som' time that he became quite at his ease il her presence.
 But Rose was dutiful and affection ate daughter; and her father, as WI have said having set his heart on tn match, she yielded to his wishes, doin! her best to conceal whatever of secret re pugnance she may have felt. AS he portion would be handsome, Edwar' Hardin found little difficulty in acced ing to the family arrangement on hi part.
 "I-I am almost sorry" said Rose t her father, as they sat at breakfast ''that we invited MT. Lester to be pres 7 ent to day."
 "I'm sure don't see how we coul do less,' replied the old gentleman warmly. "I don't know who can hay better right to give woman ava than the man who has saved her life. Rose gave little sigh and was silent l Archer Lester since the night he ha
 swum ashore, through the darkness with one arm, supporting Rose Warin l with the other, had, of course, becom
 acquainted with her family, though, h 8 lived at distance, he had more tha 3 once taken occasion to visit.
 'EI hope he won't come,'' said Rose after long pause.
 "That's hardly grateful" retorte ' MT. Waring, looking up sharply. 'sIn his letter he promises to meet |
 at the church,'' said MT. Warins 2 Q ''You see, he comes on the mornin n train, and will barely have time to me- us there, But come: I know how lon