Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-03-26

denneSS, Arthur learned that while
he had been lettering only a short
distance away, those nearest and
dearest to him had been in deadly
peril.
! While bathing in fancied security,
bearing her laughing boy in her
arms, his wife had been caught by
the treacherous under-current and
carried in an instant beyond her
depth, and out OF the reach of her
companions, who could none of
them swim.
No man had been in sight at the
time, and had it not been for 4
young girl who had been watching
the bathers from her seat upon the
rocks, all hope of rescue would have
been futile.
Incumbered as she had been by
her clothing, regardless of all peril
to herself, Miss Carter had cour-
ageously breasted the pillows, and
had succeeded in reaching the spot
where the mother and child had
| sunk.
When they arose to the surface
her brave young arms had been
able 70 keep herself and them up,
until help had arrived.
If | had loved Rose Carter before,
l worshipped her now as clasped
my little nephew and namesake
in my arms, and heard my brother,
in tones tremulous with repressed
feeling, express his thanks to her
but for whose noble courage he
would have been a Wifeless, child
less man.
After that the vail of reserve was
lifted from between Miss Carter and
myself, and before long we grew to
be very guod friends.
But the summer days which had
been so full of pleasure for me were
fast drawing to their close, and as
yet / had not dared to speak plainly
of what was in my heart.
With my love had grown up a
feeling of dissatisfaction with my
self. / had never done a grand
deed of heroism-nothing which
could lift me above or make me any
better than my fellows; and what
was 1 that | should aspire to The
affection of one so pure and noble as
she?
One afternoon as l walked on the
sands, thinking some such thoughts, |
a rustic of drapery caused me to !
look up. There beside me was the |
sweet face of Rose Carter.
My eyes must have expressed the |
fervency of my admiration, for hers
dropped beneath their gaze. We |
talked for awhile upon casual SUBJ !
jectS; then she told me something |
that caused my heart to sink with
dismay.
In lew days her mother and
herself were to leave for their home.
As she spoke, a sudden determ
ination sprang into existence within
my mind. Now was my time.
Then and there / would learn my
fate. l began falteringly; but as
she neither drew away from nor
rebuk ed me, 1 gained courage and
went on more boldly, until at length
1 had told her all-that my life's
happiness was in her hands, to
make or mar.
When l had finished, she raised
her eyes to my face.
"Do you know who it is to whom
you are speaking thus ?' she asked,
almost in whisper, her voice
trembling with some unrestrained
"Have you no recOllec-
lion of ever meeting me before ?'
AS l gaZed upon the beautiful
features, vague remembrance
stirred within, and l knew then
that somewhere in the past those
dark, lustrous eyes had been lifted
to my face as they were now.
a oh
which cleaned a jewel circlet.
From it depended golden coin.
"Years ago." she said in her low,
soft voice, ''this was bestowed, to-
gether with the better gift of kind
words, upon a poor child. Instead
Of expending it as directed, she suf-
fered the punishment she had
dreaded from her cruel aunt's
hands, and kept the golden coin.
That ignorant, uncared-for child,
Mr.. Aubrey, although it may seem
almost incredible, and Rose Carter
are one and the same. A kind lady,
who was alone in the world, saw
and pitied my neglected condition,
and upon my aunt's death took me
md educated and brought me up as
ler own. That golden talisman
las never LETT me, nor will it till /
lie. You say you do not deem :
yourself worthy to ask for my love.
Know, then, that unsought it has
been yours all these years. AS a
,hild | loved and treasured your Z
mage; as a woman" {
She paused, and charming color
her pure face.
"Oh, Rose ]" 1 exclaimed, as 1 /
,lasped the sweet speaker to my :
leart, show little | thought that a
imple act of kindness would be SO /
oyally requited in the future.
As we walked back together, be-
ide the silver crested waves, my +
leart within me sang pean of joy, {
or | felt that which would make \
ny whole future existence one long ,
calm of bright sunshine.