The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-06-22

was 0C us lel6lC. Inc 1alf DflOe, lef
long-delayed hopes fulfilled, tioated in
and out in the macs of the dance, the
gayest of the gay, Ruth, her face flushed,
the enjoyment of this suspicious Occa-
sion. By her grace and tact could sec
that she was adding much to the enjoy
ment of others. The happy mother of
the bride moved about among the older
guests, dispensing smiles and bringing
pleasure wherever she went. Presently
Ruth came in and said with face beam
ing with joy:
''Oh, aunty, am SO glad we came. l
never knew it was such pleasure to make
others happy. I am not bit sad now
I believe l could even meet Frank with
composure. Hank! What is that?" she
exclaimed, turning toward the open win
| dow, through which came Il dull, harsh
murmur.
Before she had time to say more there
was an uproar at the lower end of the
room, a cry of "Crevassc! Crevasse"
from the afrighted servants, and Frank
Russell rushing through crowd Of dam
GERS, leaped upon q chair not three steps
from us and shoutcd:
''The levce has broken; save your
selves at once, there is no time to lose"
There was an instant Of awful silence;
every breath was hushed, and rosy
cheeks were blanched with terror; then
the voice of the despairing bride rang
out:
'It has come true! 1t has come truev'
she cried, and as she fell into the arms
of her husband the guests fled in every
direction. The grayhaired mother sank
upon her knees and we could see her
lips move in prayer.
Franks eyes wandered over the hur-
rying crowd an instant in search of some
one he evidently expected to sec. Even
in that terrible moment l could not help
thinking how brave and handsome he
was. did not wonder that Ruth had
eye rested on us. In an instant he was
beside us. He put his arm about Ruth
as if they had parted with kisses but
Yesterday, looked quickly back, and
said, rs his face blanched and his lips
shut close;
eve can only save ourselves. Come"
He swung Ruth lightly through the
easement, c(asped me by the arm, and
we fled away from the house of feasting
with the BRIDES hcart-rending shrek in
| our ears and the mothers blanched face
upturncd i'll her hopeless prayer ever
before our eyes us we dashed out into
the night and joined in the wild scram-
bic for life.
The blackncss Of the night, the roar
Ing OF the wind and the increasing thun-
der OF the river were enough to appal
the stoutest heart. But we were hur-
ricd on, stumbling over roots and stumps,
caught and torn by vines and briers,
dashed against trees by the raging wind;
spattered by the spray Of the rising wat
er until we reached the place where
Frank had left his boat
The river was full Of floating trees, the
ruins Of houses. and all Of debris which
the mad water had wrestcd from it's con.
! Qucrors. The current WAS so strong it
| seemed certain death to trust ourselves
to 1t, but it was the only chance. We
| stepped in the boat and each seized an
car We pushed out and the fight for
| life began.
We We're trying to force our way
through the crevasse up to higher ground
when Suddcnlya bonfire some one had
lShtcd hours before blaZcd up, and VIC
saw .clinglng in tho branches of tree
rushing past us the bride clasped tightly
III the arms Of her husband. Was the
| prophecy to be fulfilled, "nevcr IL wife
OF y mothcr?" Though the attempt was
madness, VIC strOye to>rcacl them. For
tunatHly both Ruth and myself wcrc &C.
| colnplishcu OarSWOmcn and accustomed
to the river. Frank stood up and called
| to them while we bent to our oars with
| all our strength. The bridegroom heard
! lis and waved his hand in acknowledge
! mcnt. Frank changed our course and
| we shot oil into the darkness again. At:
! ter hours Of desperate fighting for our
lives. the faint light Of dawn came to
| our aud, and at last We were able to land
AS soon as our feet We're on firm
! ground again Ruth turned to Frank and
held out both her hands with tears in
her eyes and trembling lips, but said no
| word. He drew her to him and kissed
her again and again. They were saved
| Tor each other, but thought of Mai.
Grant with q sigh
We found Mn! vt t'ic house of a friend
miles back from the river, where he had
been borno for safety, but the excite
ment and excrtion lladbcen too great for
his strength, and he was suffering from
severe hcmOrragc which was wasting
! his llte-b|ood. Ruth went at once to
him leading Frank by the hand.
Some hours after, us the sun was set
ting, we were all called to his room.
Ruth knelt on the floor at his bedside
with her face buried in her hands, and
the majors hand rested OIL her head
The dark curling hair lay in damp
rings on his white forehead. and the
large, sad eyes were lifted as if in pray
CIR: "Ruth DEAR" he whispered. She
| raised her head. He drew her to him
with a yearning in his eyes that would
not be refused. Their lips met in one
! long, last kiss. Then he reached out
and taking Franks hand nut
Kuth's into it, and blessed them with Il
! look Of unutterablc love till the light
failed from his eyes for ever.