Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-10-17


prayer was breathed for the safety Of the gal.
LIANT mariners and the success Of their endeav-
ors. We determined to remain on the pier
until the return Of the life boat, which,
it was said would probably be in
the course'o of an hour and half. We whiled
away the time by taking brisk pedestrian ex-
ercise and although the night was cold and
cheerless, we felt to much interested in the
fate Of the good ship which had run aground
to think Of any Inconvenience we might ex-
perience. ~ Efs.s
Norrly three hours elapsed before there
were any signs of return of the ife-boat, but
at the end Of that time shout from the ex-
pectant multitude announced that she was at
hand. A general rush was made toward the
head of the pier, and in few minutes the yes
sci and the steam tug had glided into the
quiet waters of the harb0r. The greatest excite
ment prevailed. 1t was soon ascertained that
the name Of the wrecked ship was the Alder
ton, from New York. The captain and the
whole OF the crew and passengers were saved,
and as they landed on the pier they were
scrutinized with curious eyes by the good
people of seabrldge. .." ~.
as tall, dauntless looking man mounted the
wooden steps by the landing pl ace; "but who
is that with him p one of the passengers, of
course"
But what was it that saw My father and
his wife hastily rushed forward with cry of
surprise, and seemed to recognize the hand
some young man who landed with the captain,
cordially. Then heard my father say:
>. 'Thank God for this, my young friend!
You are saved!-savedw
In another instant found myself face to
face with Arthur Melford!
"Florence, dearest, am at last able to
tat has seemed so mysterious, and has alloy
ed the love that should subsist between us.
Oh, FlOy! have long noticed your GOODNESS
toward me, and it has made me miserable:
but thank Heaven! there will sood be an end
to it,"
me. We were alone together. It was but an
hour since we had so Unexpectedly met Ar
thur Melford.
"l am so astonished- bewildered by what
has happened to-night-that hardly know
what to say" I replied. "our meeting with
"Listen, my dear girl" interrupted Mrs.
Maynard, land will explain everything. You
must know that and Arthur Melford are dis
family related to each other. Arthur's parents
were poor, and he was left an orphan at an
early age. When he was seventeen he be-
came junior teacher at my fathers school at
Hackney. Ny father treated him with un-
varying kindness, and in return for which he
gave him most Jealous AID energetic services.
Arthur always looked upon me in the light of
a sister, and made me his contidant in many of
his private affairs. But he had no secret
worth the telling until he accidentally met
certain Miss Florence Maynard; and when he
told me-mind Floy, was like sister-that
he had lost his heart to that young lady, and
asked for my advice, hardly knew what to
say. He was poor, reflected, and your father
was rich. Twas still in doubt and perplexity
on the subject, and had almost determined to
place the affair before Arthur in it's true colors,
yfN0vH oE - ~.
sometimes occur, introduced me to your
father
Now, am not going to confess much, Flor
ence, but must little. When Mr.. May
nard proposed to me, put into execution
very cunningly devised plan. 1 told him the
story of the loves of Arthur and Florence, and
promised him my hand on this one condition,
that he should do his best to improve Arthur
Melford's worldly prospects. Your father
asked me to introduce him to Arthur, and
did SO privately. The interview was satisfac-
tory in its results, for Mr.. Maynard arranged
that Arthur should 90 to Canada for year or
so to mercantile house there, which was in
timately connected in its relations with his
own firm. Arthur joyfully acceded to the
proposition, and he also promised to keep the
affair a secret from you. In Canada he has
won golden opinions for his steady, perseve-
ring, business habits. Of his sudden return I
need say nothing to you, Florence Your
severe test, and if you have ever looked up
on me as your enemy, perhaps you will now
admit that yon have been a little unjust"
Oh! how shall express to you my sorrow?"
cried.
by being good girl for the future, and
makinga model wife for Arthur Melford."
was the reply.
| sometimes think that the happiness now
enjoy is more than deserve. I am Arthur
Melford's wife, and my husband is jnnior
partner in tho prosperous mercantile firm to
which my father formerly belonged. shall
never pay the debt of gratitude owe my
stepmother, for often reflect that my clades-
tine acquaintance with the poor usher would
have ended in disappointment and misery,
had it not been for the wise interference of
my fathers wife.