Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-08-01

sue laughed merrllY sometimes and
forgot to look wistfully towards the
mountains, MS he had noticed her
doing so often two months before.
One day she was pale and troubled
when Fennel came with his buggy.
She was silent for few moments
after they began their drive.
"Fennel 2"
"NVell ?"
"Are you going away ?"
yes"
"Wny, tell me, please 2"
That was all. she did not dare
pretend not to understand him.
Both faces were pale. He turned
to wards her at last, smiling family.
Eyes, BERTHE, you don't need me
any longer, and am going away to
try as hard as l can to forget you.
1t is strange that such q sweet-eyed
girl should cause so much pain, ism t
it ?"
Bertrode didn't speak. They rode
in silencs along the river road. Ber-
trode was listening, as if charmed
to the chirpiug Of a little bird
among the scrub oaks uy the river.
1t was a hearty, cheery little bird
that seemed to have no nonsense
about it.
The road grew narrower. The
tree branches met above their heads
and gradually grew lowe. Fennel
put ont his whip to hold them out
of their faces. The motion startled
the horse, Or he might have been
twanged by the springing sprays.
He leaped suddenly forward, and
Btrt1ode was flung from the car
riage and down the steep bank into
the river.
Stunned by the shock, she tloated
like a corpse. If she had seen Fen.
mel Gould's face, then, she would
have wondered, even though she be-
lieved that she knew his love. He
drew in the pranclng horse and
flung himself from the carriage.
DAshing down the steep Gec,lyity,
he threw himself into the river.
The tide was rapid. Already the
figure of the drowning girl, hall
submerged, was floating into the
middle of the current. There were
strong, fierce rapids, a quarter of a
mile below, and the tide swept them
both toward it. Fennel Gould ex-
pended every resource of body and
heart in that struggle for life and
love. She floated on-on-before
him in the flowing water until the
great beads of agony and pain stood
upon his forehead. Bat one fortu,
nate stroke, and he caught her
scarf.
He struggled back to land and
fell exhausted upon the bank. For
a moment he lay there, painting ;
then rising, he lifted Bertrode iato
the carriage, and carried home the
life he had saved. Evening came.
Fennel was at none - pacing
thoughtfGlly the floor of his little
chamber. 1t was twilight, and the
scent of the ripe apples in the or.
chard filed the dark room. He did
not'notice either, but he was reused
suddenly 10y knock at his door. 1t
wac Willie Dodge with note. lie
opened it. 1t bore these words
"Fennel, come home with Willie.
L want to see you"
That was all, but he knew VINO
sent 1t. lie went cat of doors with
the child. Holding the boys hand,
he walked the fields he had walked
a month before with his heart bitter
rs rue. The crlckets were singing
among the grasses. a strange light
ness possessed him, and yet lie Kept
putting down his heart-not daring
to hope. The farmhouse door was
open and BertrOde was sitting in
the porch. Little Willie went into !
the house. Fennel sat down Oh The |
step.
"What do you want, Bertrode ?" |
Il will tell you by and by"
The twilight grew more dim as
they talked Of unimportant things,
until they could not see each 9TH
er's faces. The crickets were sing
ing hundreds of songs in the grasses
by tie roadside. The dew fell and |
woke the sweetness of She ferns by |
the roadside.
A long time passed and at last |
Fennel rose.
ut is time to GO, Bertrode. Will |
you tell me row 2"
Fhe moon came up and showed |
her face pale and her lips trem ulous,
but she stood up by his side and !
spoke firmly.
81 want to ask you not TO go
away, Fennel. Don't co."
There seemed more to be said,
but she could not say it. Her voice
died on Ler lips, and the eager light
in ennel Gould'S eyes faded.