Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-02

my arm upon the trusty plank, man
aged to support the form near me but all
this time we neither Of us spoke word,
nor could we discern each others fea
lures. The fast subslding fire was far
behind US now.
The steady planks kept floating with us
toward the bank, but was not very anx-
ious to GO ashore jus: then, as the river.
sides were steep, and certain curling ed
dies did not look attractive.
The moon had been obscured by heavy
clouds; but we could discern the stones
which here and there rose up from out of
the water from shoal in midstream. We
should soon be in safety. The planks
apparently thought otherwise. They
bobbed abOu: and grew very impatient
to reach the shore
There's distant thunderl A storm is
coming up. No, it must be train pass
ing the bridge above. No; the noise in
creases the sound is born continuously
on the wind. The planks got very rest
less now. The banks even came closer
to us, but the stream ran all the faster.
The noise was getting louder every min
ute.
| knew what it was at last knew too
well-it was the mill weir!
If the sluice were open to the huge
over shot wheel our doom was sealed.
Nothing much short of miracle could
save us. Striking out for the bank, /
called for my companion to do the same,
but encountered with the ulster coat his
progress was not great.
| We would find footing on the lasher
probably; the eddy would assist us.
| We ficated round the turn in the stream.
The wheel was revolving. could plainly
hear the splash, splash of the monoton-
Gus clank and dash; the water dripped
and ran away from the grinding wood
work, and gladly escaped beneath to
save being crushed to air on the top of
those mighty paddles.
| We had two channels to choose from =
one over the weir, the other beneath the
wheel. The suction in the latter was
tremendous. I swan strongly for the
former. l reached the slippery piles and
caught them. A bright light was burn
ing in small window in the mill,rwenty
yards or so away. We were in an eddy
for a moment. / called out loudly, A
head was put out. yelled again. The
plank whereon l Law slipped from be-
meath me, rose up again, and carried me
headlong down the foamy lasher like an
arrow from bow, while my companion
was wrenched away and darted for the
wheel.
A loud cry escaped me as We parted.
ALI was over now. Death at last. "Oh,
Rosie! my darling Rosie! till we meet
in heaven-farewell!" | had time to
think SO much--no more.
Hes all right; don't you lubbers keep
around like that-sheer of, can't ye?
Let chap have mouthful Of airI Hur-
rah, yer sowls3 he's breathin'!"
He was. 1t was I. But how weak,
how very i'll, mentally and bodily, felt
when first woke again to life and asked
for Rosie
"Shure he's wandering in his mind, SO
he is. Dinny, run up and tell the cap
tain the gintleman's alive. Hurry now
I remember nothing more until l found
myself in barracks, in my brothers
quarters. Then suppose l fell asleep.
But when again woke to consciousness,
they told me, in muffied tones, that had
only just pulled through brain fever, and
had been in bed nearly five weeks.
Five weeks! was due in London! !
told the doctor so, or somebody spoke for
meat least the voice was not like my
own.
Indeed, then, it's out o. this ye don't
stir, me lad, lawyers or no lawyers
Quiet, now, or I'll give ye composer, and
send ye to sleeD for another MONTH"
submitted, ana got peter. In fort
night was down again in the ante
room, where was welcomed as a ''hert
of romance The good-natured quizzine
and congratulations on my recovery were
incessant. At last noticing my puzzled
look, my brother said:
perhaps he hasn't heard the real fact
- have you H--2"
II have not the very slightest ide;
what you ale all talking about" replied
If it's joke, don't see it.''
Now, look, here she is again. Luck,
fellowl"
mot day but what she rides over t
, enquire"
"Her fathers here, too"
"Tell them to come in, Hamblyn, an,
see the preserver of the sole daughter O
his house and heart"
/ heard, but scarcely needed all thi
; ''chaff.'
The door opened; a lady in we'll fittin
habit appeared. Mechanically I rose a
she came in. I looked at her for on
brief second, the next had clasped lie
in nv armG
|, ''Rosie, my darling Rosie, can it b
you indeed9"
No doubt about it. She had come {
: thank me. For what? For saving he
! life that night when Sir John Carney
3 house was burnt.
4 It was Rosie had rescued, then N
wonder my heart beat 80 fast as we float
ed down the stream.
Rosie was my own at last. She
mine still, thank heavenl
Very little explanation is necessar,
Mrs. Temple and her daughter had bee
l. paying a round of visits, and while stay
ing at Sir John Carney's house the fir
had broken out. Rosie had been m
companion during that twenty minute
: in the water. Wrapped up as she ws
: and silent as we both were, We did nj
I recognize each other in the dark. Th
! miller had stopped the wheel and pulle
u Rosie out of the eddy just in time.
For day or two Rosie had been quit
, unable to give an account of her rescu
from the fire; and when her father arrive
y in obedience to telegram, he learned q
.. the barracks--where he had called wit
10 Sir John to thank the commanding offic,
for his timely assistance his daugl
y ter's preserVer was myself.
. The reader will almost guess the .,