The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-06-04
FOR LIFE AND LOVE.

Hts
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, a village, about eight miles
from Northern town where Florian
Courtland held good situation in a
bank, and Florian grew impatient for
fair weather and a chance to visit hia
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
bis horse, and prepared for his stormy
ride. He came down from his room ar
nycd in water proof coat, thick boots,
and coarse gloves, glazed hat covering
his cuaing, golden hair, and a riding.
whip in his hand. I'he parlor door stood
partly open, and as he was passing it on
his way through the hall Mrs Maurice,
the lady with whom he lodged, came
out
"Deaf me, Mr.. Courtland," she ex-
claimed, with glance Of surprise at his
rough weather dress, sit is impossible
that you are going out in this rain%'
The rain will do me no harm; you
zee | am prepared for it,, answered
Florian, smilingly. rl4a
"But it is so unpleasant" urged the
lady. Where in the world can you
wish to 60 in such weather." she added,
curiosity getting the better of polite
ness. 4E a
"To Thornway,n replied Florian,
b'ushing slightly.
whats that, Mr.. CourtlandT p called
out Maurice, who was reading his morn
ing paper in the parlor. .sGo1ea Daf
Hesays he is going to Thornway acl
tu liy to Thornway, on such a day as
this! said Mrs. Maurice responding for
Forian. a,,S
Mr.. Courtland, you are crazyp said
the gentlemen, joining his wife at the
door, The roads are in ahorrible con-
dition, and will be worse by night.
Come, listen to reason, and stay at
alilAHNH ,ys1sti 500 .aaaai
But Florian refused to listen to reason,
and took himself off in spite of warning
OF entreatyt On, any other errand it
would have beena exceedingly dispirit-
ing ride, and if he had been bound for
any other destination he would have
turned backsbut the though toflmeeting
harrietspurred him forward; The way
grew worse with every mile; his horse
Plodded slowly through the mud, stumbl-
ing now and then in some Of the many
ruts and pitfalls; the rain poured
steadily down, beating into his face and
running m streams from his cap; and he
was very thankful when at lastihe came
within the vicinity,of Linwood, as the
sstate OF Harriet's aunt was named x Y
ne had takenl a. seldoni.used fby-foad
70 shorten the distance to, iLinwood,
wnere the read was divided by a small
stream, which bounded one side Of the
estste, and was crossed by fording. But
low the long Fains had swollen. the
waters to Hood, and the stream dashed
mto loan and tossed intorybillows. by its
vmn velocity and rushed onward at a
,sN mat made the thought of fording
IVA wild insanity! With mental apath,
ana ana against his own stupidity in not
thinking OF this, Courtland turned to re.
aace nus way to the main road. tive
miles back, where the little river was
.panned by a bridge. Opposite him,
Ici0ss the stream, he could see the gray
aalia Of Linwood, and in his anxiety to
" Oe within them the two miles seemed
hke twenty. ~ as eiAf "A I3a7 ssFsil
nut the bridge was reached at last and
.rOssed. Fiorians had noticed. as he
sPgleaehed the bridge, that the land at
sn1rie distance below it, which was low
sau nat, was. completely flooded, the
sl, NJ. overilowing here, having sub
merged i to wide extent. A point ioI
tnosl Of land, close upon the 4river'l
4ank remained dry, forming s littIs
slana IN the midst Of the whirling
muddy food; and upon this island stooc
asmalL wooden house, which, as Floriar
elceived with concern, was eyidentl,
sccqpled, for a thin blue wreath o
IL ,,invke y was ascending from the chimney
~; saere were people in that. dwelling
un position was most perilous, as til
,Da "s.e. was rising fast and threatene,
tS.l ~, Y cover the land and sweep ava.
siorian turned aside from the high
s.sysd sy and rode down to the edge Of th
,vueo S,, iowland; as be approached th
r.a rs.er edge he saw female form AZ
f' ~ tae window Of that threatenel