The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-21

was the widow herself, who, straining,
ana with her gray hair iuttering in the
wind, unlooscd the old dugout from it's
moorings, and trembling, unskilful, armed
with rude paddle, went spinning out diZ-
ziiy over the water, 1t leaked, the old
| scow; 1t scorned the broken paddle and the
heavy oars, but finally it came drifting out
blndly and dizzi!y to the object of her
search. a plump hand with glittcring
ring upon it clutchcd tho edge of the boat,
nearly upsctting it.
a young, eager. face, with streaming
hair, looked up from the water, and gasp
ing, shuddcring, half drowned, and wholly
scared, the young watcr-nymph was pres
emily aboard the old craft
"Oh, how frightened was!" she cried.
Il felt sure was losing all my strength,
and would go to the bottom. Oh, YOU
good soul You dear soul! how ever did
you get to me in this watcr-loggcd craft?"
cit has seen its best days, certain" said
tho widow, tugging at the oars.
"fou don't look able for such work, said
the girl.
81 haze seen better days." was the quiet
answer.
And thcn-oh, sufficient reward of all
her efforts this real lady, this fair young
girl with the soft hands and the pretty
bathing dress, actually replied, 81 thought
So"
''llcrc, give me al Oar, she added, still
painting. ''But, my dear soul, we'll never
be able to row dow to that point, where
left my clothes, and l can't walk to the
hotel; Pm awful tired. Can't you put nc
ashore at your place, and send word for me
down yondcr2"
The little dark cabin on the shore bright
cncd up with an unwontcd lustre as the
widow sheltered her young charge, and
changed her wet garments for some of her
own.
fIf my Tom would only come, I'd send
him for your things"
"Oh, no matterl I'll wrap your shaw,
about me and walk down myself after I've
rested a bit. Pm not hurt, you know, only
scared. Dear me, how aOas scared. NV
old nurse used to teach nc not to scream :;
but If l hadn't screamed, where should
have been now, | wondcr?''
Mrs. Nlinton would gladly have parted
with tho last she possessed, and gone
shlvcring the rest of her days, to see her
woru-out gown donned SO handsomely by
the bright lassic.
"fhey have seen bettcrdays, The clothes,
miss; and I'll not deny that they've been
III good company in their time, but they're
not fit for Il lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty, mis-
chicvous laugh. She read the weakness of
her rescucr. and treated it tendcrly.
'Whatevcr a lady has worn it fit for a
lady to wear" she sald and forthwith
wrapped herself, smiling, in the old gray
| shawl
And at that moment Tom, with his rcd
shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and a
string of fish on his shoulder, stood in the
doorway.
He stopped when lie saw the guest
standing upon the hearth stone, bright
| fire behind her, and the kettle boiling
cheerlly. She nodded to him Familiarity
Tom thought he must be dreaming.
"Fom and alc acquainted" said she.
care you?" responded the asonished
widow
eyes, said the girl. s'I'vc watched
Tom many time walking along shore in
his red shirt, and once he took me and
father out rowing. Tom, your mothers
saved my life."
never in all his life heard Of his mothers
doing anything before.
Tom. stupid and staring, was hurried off
meanwhile his mother bctook herself to
making n cup of tea of her protegcc. 1t
was wonderful how little warmth of
human feeling had reused this woman to
life and activity again.
When Tom returned laden with various
articles of apparel, the two were quietly
slipping their tea together at the old round
table.
lie did not return alone, however Fol
lowing him came tall gray-hcadcd gentle
man.
"Hcrc's father!" cried the girl, sprlngine
forward, con, father, this good lady has
saved my lifc!"
Ladyl The widow NIinton wanted to
kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pronounced
the words.
"Well, my DEAR" said the old gentle
man, good-humorcdly pinching the plump
check, ''she has done it very thoroughly.
You certainly don't look very near death
just now.
Whcrcat the story, with due enlargement
and variation, was told him with pretty
pout.
The father smiled, but also he f,rtivcly
wiped away tear
"Wcll, madam" said he, courteolisly,
"acccpt my cordial thanks for Looking after
my little madcap Belle. She's my only
child, you sec, and rs full Of pranks as
any dozen,"
Belle playfully put her hand over his
mouth. 81 won't have my character ira.
duccd where they've been so good to me, u
she cried. "And oh, father, isn't this q
beautiful place.-such view of the water.
| mean to came down here every day and
do my skctching.'.
81 am afraid" said the sire, shaking his
head, "that this good lady will have cause
to wish she had thrown you overheard"
ooh, no, farther; she likes me, and
like her. And Iyc fallen in love with Tom
long ago, you know"
Tom blushed painfully. Something
strange and new stirred In his mind. Com
pliments did not swceten his thoughts as
they did his mothers, for Tom had never
seen better days, and felt as if ne was be-
ing made a jest of.
| A week passed, during which the young
girl strollcd almost daily to the cabin
| When ahe 1uoa tbaro Tom uoldon, ontorof