Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-11-26


walk"
As they approached the beach the,
heard Rose Burnett's shrill voice
urging her companions to follow her,
and not to be towards. Belle glanced
at the bathers, and noticed that Rose
was not venturesome. Forgetting her
insulting conduct, she cried,-
Remember the under currentr'
The foolish girl, instead of apprecia:
ting these kind intentions, became moro
daring, and ventured out still further.
Suddenly cry of despair was heard.
Rose Burnett was sinkingl
Belle, without an instant's hesitation,
plunged into the water. She was an
able swimmer, and soon rescued the
unfortunate girl, who was almost ex-
hausted; in another moment, she would
have been past human aid. But firm
grasp held her up-gentle tones cheered
her. A brave woman had risked her
life to save an enemy.
At length she reached the shore.
Kindly hands relieved her of her mani
mate burden; then her over.strained
nerves relaxed, and Belle Grant became
unconscious.
She was carried to her room, and
Helen watched at her bedside.
A few hours elapsed, and Rose shared
her friends vigil. The young girl had
quite recovered from her adventure, but
her brave preserver was not SO for
tunate 4; the sudden shock had proved
too, severe for frame 80 delicate, and
for many days she fingered on the
threshold Of death. She became deli
rious, and shrieked in tones of horror.
"Do not look at me so scornfully
with your big black eyes I am alone in
the world, but am true wife ! tell
you, GIRL" she continued, 'that my boy
has no occasion to blush for his mother
| I am not an outcast r.
| Rose was conscience stricken, as she
listened and realized how nobly Belle
Grant had returned good for evil.
The sufferer again spoke her deli
rum had carried her back to woful
scenes.
"Oh, judge" she cried, in most inn
ploring accents, "spare my husband !
Although apparently guilty, he is not
SO! Oh. Father in heaven" she ex-
claimed, they have sent him to Jail |
shall never see my love again -
She sank exhausted on her pillow.
Nature was merciful slumber visited
the invalid. Care and sorrow were for
gotten in the blissful unconsciousness
of sleep. She was happy the loved
one had returned his innocence was
proved; once more she was clasped in
her husbands arms.
She moved uneasily:; alasl it was but
dream. She awoke the delirium of
fever had passed away; yet her mind
was bewildered. and she murmured:
"What has happened"
In moment Rose was at her side.
"Thank God," she cried, "that you
are better But do not talk, and will
tell you all that has occurred. 1 met
you, and was envious of your beauty ;
was jealous when my admirers desert
ed me and devoted themselves to you.
Although you did not encourage them,
yet hated you, and endeavored by ma
licious insinuation to injure your repu-
tation. In return, you risked your life
to save mine-the life of wicked,
heartless girl |"
Tears choked her, and she could not
utter another word.
"Rose," said Belle, tive are but hu-
man, and none of us are perfect. / am
sure that your penitence is sincere,
therefore forgive you. Bring me my
boy, and you will afford me more happi-
ness than you have ever caused me
pain"
| Another moment, and Belle clasped
her little one in her arms.
80 mamma |" said the child, II have
done nothing but cry since saw you
last. thought that you had gone away
to look for papa, and you would not
come back"
My love-" was the fond reply, "your
mother will never leave you"
A few weeks passed. It was Bellies
first appearance on the piazza since hei
illness and the ladies crowded around
her and overwhelmed her with congratu
lations on her recovery and with com
pliments on her heroism.
Her little boy suddenly approached
her in state Of great excitement.
Mamma" cried the child, 81 have
found my papa!"
Belle looked up /; she uttered scream
of Joy, and then threw herself into he,
husbands arms. Her dream was real
lied The lost one had returned, His