The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-06-16
FOR LIFE AND LOVE.

GOD ALGE IL AN - L1O He
It was in the spring time of the year,
and had rained almost incessantly for
two weeks. Harriet Gelder resided with
her aunt, Miss Hannah LinwOod. in
Thornway, village about eight miles
from a Northern town where FiOrian
CORTLAND held a good situation in a
bank, and Florian grew impatient for
fair weather and chance to visit his
peculiar beloved. There was little i'm.
mediate prospect of cessation of the
rain, and one Sunday morning the ar
dent lover resolved to set the weather at
defiance, and accordingly he sent out for
his horSe, and prepared for his stormy
ride, He came down from his room ar
zaged in q water proof coat, thick boots
and coarse gloves a glazed hat covering
his curling, go den hair, and riding
whip i q his hand. The parlor door stood
partly open, and as he was passing it on
his way through the hall, Mrs. aurice,
the lady with whom he lodged, came
out.
'fDear me, Mr.. COurtIand," she ex-
claimed, with a glance of surprise at his
rough weather dress, it is impossible
that you are going out in this rain%
1.-The rain viii do me no harm; yea
see L am prepared for it," answered
Florian, smilingly.
But it is so unpleasant" urged the
lady. "Where in the world can you
wish to go in such weather. she added,
curiosity getting the better of polite
ness,
"To Thornway," replied Florian,
bIushing slightly.
whats that, Mr.. Courtland?' cal ed
out Maurice, who was reading his morn
ing paper in the parlOr
He says he is going 20 Thornway ac-
tually to Thornw&y, On such a day as
thisl' said Mrs, Maurice responding for
FlOrian.
''Mr, COurtland, you are crazyp said
the gentlemen, joining his wife at the
door. "The roads are in horrible con-
dition, and will be worse by night
Come, listen to reason, and stay at
home"
But Florian refused to listen to reason,
and took himself off in spite of warning
or entreaty. On any other errahd it
would have been an exceedingly dispiTit-
ing ride, and if he had been bound for
any other destination he would have
turned back; but the thOughtof meeting
Harriet spurred him forward, The way
grew worse with every mile; his horse
ing now and then in some of the many
ruts and pitfalls; the rain poured
steadily down, beating into his face and
running in streams from his cap, and he
was very thankful when at last he came
within the vicinity Of Linwood, as the
estate of Harriets aunt was named
He had taken a seidOm-useo by-road
to shorten the distance to LinwOOd,
where the road was divided by a snail
stream. which bounded one side of the
estate, and was crossed by fording. But
now the long rains had swollen the
waters to flood, and the stream lashed
into foam and tossed into billows by its
own velocity, and rushed onward at a
rate that made the thought of fording
ita wild insanity. With mental anath-
ema against his own stupidity in not
thinking of this, COurtland turned to re-
trace his way to the main road, two
miles back, where the little river was
spanned by a bridge. Opposite him,
across the stream, he could see the gray
walls of Linwood, and in his anxiety to
TO be within them the two miles seemed
like twenty.
But the bridge was reached at last and
crossed. FIorian had noticed, as he
approached the bridge, that the land at
a little distance below it, which was low
and fiat, was completely flooded, the
river. oyerfowing here, having sub
merged it to a wide extent. A point or
knoll of land, close upon the river
bank, remained dry, forming a little
island in the midst of the whirling,
muddy flood; and upon this island stood
small wooden house, which, as Florlan
perceived with concern, was evidently
occupied, for a thin blue wreath OF
smoke was ascending from the chimney.
If there were people In that dwelling,
their position was most perllous, as tue
water was rising fast and threatened
soon to cover the land and sweep away
the house,
Florian turned aside from the high
way and rode down to the edge of the
flooded lowland; as he approached the
water edge, ne saw female form ap-.
peal at the window of that threatened
dwelling, and handkerchief was waved
imploringly toward him.
Unhesitatingly he rode into the water,
which for some distance was not over
his horse s back but it soon drew deeper,
forcing the animal to swim. Forlan
urged him forward, and, drawing neal
the house, the door was thrown open
and he cried out in affrighted surprise
for there stood Miss Linwood and Har
Ilet Gelderl
"Harrletg cried Florian, FOL
heavens sake, how came you hereT
We came to see sick woman, re
piled Harriet, with prompt GOODNESS
and the water rose before We"
at is rising now, and fast" he inter
rupted, excitedly, " and there is no l tlm'
TO waste. My horse viii carry two
which of you shall take first y
.The sick woman frst,' said Harrie
quietly.
Flirt, coquette, as she was. called, an'
not without cause, yet the element Q
heroism was in her nature. She was
calm and cool now as she had ever beel
in her life, while her aunt stood trembl
ing with excitement. Florian trembled
too, as he looked at the feeble old woman
whom Miss Linwood was assisting iron
her chair to the door, and whom he ha'
not noticed until Harriet called his al