The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-12

" Now, Harwyl'' spoke Sidney, in
quick, hoarse whisper. Head her for
the flumel Nowl'
One mighty effort. Two strong men
working for life and love against that
surging torrent The boat wavered for
an instant, and then wheeled around
and slid down that long, smooth slope,
without shake or tremor, and shot
swiftly into the hume.
A sickening faintness came over me
then, such as never felt before or since.
1t lasted but an instant, and fell to
bailing vigorously. Belle Blount struck
her hands together, with sharp "Ahl"
Nora burst into tears; and Julian Fer
rean started up as we rushed under the
bending branches of tree, and made
spring to catch them.
Sit down, you idiot, or I'll brain
you !" thundered Sidney, with menacing
eyes. "Do you want to dwown us nowY"
Julian shrank down In silence, fearing
the wrath of that man more than he
feared death.
vi w pNNlis iiit nuIIOh DuIhb
were so close on either hand that we
could almost touch them; but we dared
not arrest the boat while it moved at
such rate OF velocity.
The current slacSened at last, and we
began to move less rapidly. Sidney had
left Harry to hold the rudder alone and
coming carefully forward he took coil
of rope from the cuddy, and began to
fasten 1t firmly to an iron ring in the
bow. Then he stood up, and looked
ahead. In advance of us, great tree
threw its branches quite across the canal
and they bent so low as to touch the
water.
''Catch hold of those bwanches with
one hand, and hang on to the boat with
the othah, all of you" he said, in
clear, distinct voice.
We all obeyed. AS we swept in among
the wet branches, we clung to them and
to the boat also; but Sidney, with the
rope in his hand, leaped ashore. He fas-
tened the rope to stout sapling; and
in three minutes we were all standing,
safe at last, on terra .frma.
AS Sidney took Belle Blount from her
brothers. arms, and lifted her up the
bank, he strained her to his heart in q
long, passionate embrance, and the tears
poured down his cheeks like rain.
"Belle Belle I" he uttered, in chok-
ing sobs.
Sidney" !" she answered softly, with
her head on his breast.
And then the storm of emotion was
over, and he released her from his clasp
ing arms. And, as we all stood there,
he uncovered his head, and bowed it,
saying, in tones of the deepest rever-
ence.-
"God be thanked -
With bare, bent heads, we all respond.
ed to that prayer of thank the most
heartfelt prayer / ever listened to.
We stood in silence for a moment
Then Sidney turned, and held out his
hand to Belle. She placed her own
within it, and without word we fol
lowed them as they led the way to tn,
road that was near at hand.
We walked back to Chetwoode Hal
in perfect silence. There was no necessi
ty for speech, and nobody spoke
AS we entered at the gate, Rose Fer
rean and Roy come forward to meet us
but the saucy smile died out of Roses
face, and the boyish mischief fled from
Roy's, as they noted our sober faces
and wet, disheveled appearance.
"Wby, what on earth has happened
to you ?" cried Rose. How did yc'
all get 70 wet 7"
"Did you-aw-c any fish, Mis-
Wose p' ard Sidney Philips was him
self again.
The explanations and the sensation
that followed our Arrival in sheh stat
shall be " skipped" )" as alsoaI the res
of that eventful day, until the tim
arrived, when, refreshed by tea," ant
somewhat reconstructed as TO dress, ant
revived as to spirits, we assembled in
the parlor to make our adieux. Then i
was that Sidney Phillips spoke.
"Does anybody wemenbah anything
about an antimatwimonial Arrangement
that was contwived heah few houahs
ago? ?'
That was a crusher. Every ybody look
ed at his neighbor in blank confusion.
The gentlemen finally began to laugh,
and the ladies to blush, and the in
donitabie Sidney continued