The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-11

As she came near to the close of the poem th
cheering was almost deafening, and man
wiped their eyes.
The speaker faced the audience a momen
and courtcsled low, her eyes resting momer
on her father and brother, and that other MAJ
the stranger just arrived. As he caught tn
momentary glance he displayed white 'keI
chief, and was pleased to remark by the lgh
Of her dark eyes that she recognized him.
She was escorted to the rear by the doctor
who had remained standing with his hand OF
the back OF her chair, and Miss Thorn, upoi
whose arm she had supported her falln!
strength during the last moments of this try
ing ordeal.
She was much exhausted, and whispered tt
Julia, who bent over her: Am | much OF {
fright, dear Julia"
"No, indeed; you are more beautiful thar
ever you were thanks to that young gentleman
who brought the color back to your cheeks
"Oh, Julia, you are a fatterer and a grea
tease"
BEG pardon, am neither, but very faith
full young lady"
1t was evident that Agnes loved to be leased
by her friend.
In the evening was the grand reception par
ty, given by Mrs. H. to the friends Of her
young lady students. And it was gay, social
company that met in the great hall of the sem.
mary that evening Agnes sat in an easy
lcba At aida Of tha In,a har
also Mrs. Ii. and few of the Older girls of
Agnes's class Many of the citizens came to
her and congratulated her upon her noble de.
votlon to the poor German widow and her own
rapid recovery from her severe sickness, and
the success of her last literary effort She re.
ceived them with sweet dignity, and thanked
them with ready grace.
James ClCndennlng was standing with his
hand on the back of Julia Thorn's chair, d-
rectlng his conversation to the ladies near him
lndscrimnately. He had had 3 quiet chat
with his SISTER" Agnes as he chose to call
her, early in the evening. He was rejoicing
in her returning health and her general popu-
larty, when William Cary came slowly up
the room with handsome, pleasantloOking
brown whlskered man leaning upon his arm
They came straight to where Agnes and her
friends were seated. Miss Thorn and Agnes
arose on their approach, and Julia, in her easy,
graceful way, exclaimed: 81 declare! here is
our old friend, Mr.. Wentworth; how do you
doy" And then Edward shook hands with
Agnes and Clendenning in an easy, friendly
style, and was duly presented to Mrs. H. and
the young ladies in the circle Agnes's color
came again into her cheeks, and her dark eyes
lighted up as Of old. To Edwards earnest in
quirlcs about her health she returned steady
answers
Soon Julia had Clendennlng promenadlng
around the room and getting acquainted with
her dearest friends, n few OF whom he had not
yet met And Mrs. H., with her fne.looking
husband, was moving around amid the guests.
1t was then that Edward said, in a low voice:
Agnes how could you expose life that we
all priced so highly"
She simply replied, "InaSmnch as we have
done it unto one of the least of these ye have
zone IL unto nc.
"Yes, that is very true But were there not
others who should have thought Of the same,
and left you out?'
II should have envied them-any one who
should have taken my place"
"Yes, that is just like you, too. | apprecl-
ate your motives and almost envy you your
feelings; yet it was fearful risk to take, and
| would that some other person had volunteer
ed in your stead"
"You have just returned from st. LOUIS"
YES"
"Come by steamboat"
"Yes."
well, now suppose that you had been stand
ing with lady friend near the stern of the
boat; that She "A married lady, had her only
child, n little girl, in her arms; that the child
making quick start, should fall from its
and tell the captain to stop the boat and lower
canoe and send the sailors to rescue the
child"
THAT would take too long"
"Well, what would you do"
II suppose should take off coat and boots
and plunge in after the youngster, and let
them send a boat after me-
We'll now, what did you do!'
WHO has been telling youy"
"Never mind the birds, maybe. But you
have not answered my question"
"Wcll, | was very FOOLISH but seeing the
mother about to follow the child, pushed her
back and jumped in myself, catching tie little
curly head by the wool and saving it."
"You don't mean to say it was a colorcd
baby?"
Eyes, but it was, however The mother had
been very kind and attentive to me, for had
L =: II. L. 4 l......- H..