The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-08-26

it a fancy. But there was no time to
think what to do. In another moment
l had grasped the line and was about
to swing the buoy to the struggling,
drowning man, when recognized his
features, Notwithstanding the wild
spray and the disheveled hair that was
matted by the salt water around his
forehead. .
The swimmer was Frederick Bras
tome-the man who had all but killed
my darling sister-the traitor!
My arm fell listlessly to my side.
Agnes was dying, poor darling, almost
within sight of the heaving sea which
bore her faithless lover on its angry
bosom; and should 1 save his life when
he has wrecked hers? No! My revenge
was complete. I had him in my power
now. The demon tempted me to let
him bide and die, and yet strange,
and compassion for the heartless des-
troyer of my sisters life in his dire ex-
tremity filled my heart.
He recognized me and called gasp
ingly for help-for Agnes sake! For
her sake! Did he dare to trade his
safety on her blighted life? And yet at
the sound of her name the thought
that she had forgiven him his trespasses
against her now prevailed. I called
out and hove the life buoy close to him.
He was almost spent, but clutched it
with the grasp Of drowning men. As
sisted by the waves I hauled him al
most senseless to the rock, alive! (The
yacht drove on the reef Just then, and
the crew were rescued after.)
Thank heaven, [ had saved him!
Now that he was free from danger,
felt more at ease. The black cloud of
revenge has passed away, and Agnes
pure influence had worked a wondrous
change in me. He lay insensible. but
in Il short time Dobson and his mate,
having hauled the others out of danger,
came to my assistance, and they carried
Brastone in and laid him on the bed.
I could not see him, though I saved
his life, but afterward I heard the facts
from the other young men, who over
whelmed us with thanks, and their ac-
count was this 1--WE were sitting in the
gallery when they told the tale, and
how they met their companion-him-
my enemy, as I Judged
They had borrowed Mr.. Pendrewitt's
yacht, and had sailed to Cherhhurg. At
that port they encountered Brastone,
who was very anxious to return at once
to England, but had missed the steamer.
Knowing who he was for they had met
at Pendrewitt's house, they volunteered
to bring him to our little port, as he
said he had received most urgent let
ter from Il friend. My friend, his own
sailing master, had managed in get
good anchorage about ten miles away
at o'clock the previous evening, but
the storm increasing, the yacht drag
ged her anchor at 3 p. m. Thus they
had drifted, and although they had
managed to keep off shore, the set of
the tide carried them to leeward, and
the yacht bore down on the reef, struck,
and sank in eight fathoms.
1 listened to this narrative with very
mingled feelings. The letter referred
to must be the letter that I had sent.
Why did not he telegraph his reply? I
was debating on the course [ should
adopt when Dobson came up and said
that the OF Or gentleman wished to see
me, I follo> ID the sailor. and in a mo-
ment was in Brastome's room.
He held out his hand. I hesitated to
accept it.
"Why, Harry" he said. chow have
Offended you? Your letter puzzled me
considerably
''Can you ask how? You have Tilted
my sister, and blighted her life, and
I fear, caused her death, by your
dastardly conduct. I saved your life,
but almost regret it. I have long
reckoning to settle with YOU"
"But listen to me. You are quite in
error. I never injured your sister. 1
am as true to her as even you could
desire. l am, indeed"
care you not engaged to be married
to Sir William A-'s daughter.
Certainly not. My cousin, who has
come into the title, is going to marry
her. I hope to marry Agnes your Sis
ter; and can't really understand"
did not permit him to finish. I
wrung his hand nearly of, begged his
pardon, and almost cried in doing it.
Then l rushed out and wanted Dobson
TO signal for boat, which he very prop
erly declined to do; so I sat with Fred
and talked about Agnes till began to
think that I had carried my affection
quite far enough.
All was explained and was happy
again, and then the next day! Oh,
what a happy day it was! The sea
fortunately abated. Murray came out
with the welcome news that darling
Agnes was better, and that evening we
all went ashore in the highest spirits.
The glad intelligence of her faithful
swain's return was gently conveyed to
her, and she at once got so bright and
happy that we declared she had been
Etshamming" all the time, and when,
three days afterward, she and Frederic