Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-07-13


now raining heavily, and the flashes of
lightning showed him the slight figure
bend over the stream and drop into it
the garden hat that she carried, and
then turn away toward bridge a few
yards farther down. He followed
noiselessly, almost breathless from as
tonishment; the lightning revealed her
standing on the bridge, which was
struck by the next fash and she sank
from sight beneath the waters, co.,a,,
1t was the work of second to spring
in after her, cursing himself for not
having stopped her before, and seize
the unconscious form as it rose to the
surface. He was good swimmer and
soon gained the bank, where he laid
his unconscious burden. She was not,
as Ee at first supposed, dead, but dazed
by the shock. His professional skill
enabled him to use the best means to
promote her recovery, and he was re.
warded; for in few moments she
opened her eJes, and recognizing him,
exclaimed, as in the old, childish days:
"Dear old Johnw
Then, as he raised her in his arms,
murmuring tender, loving words, she
remembered all and endeavored TO
break from his hold but the exertion
was too much and she sank back faint
ing. They were only quarter OF q
milo from the house, and he carried
her home, never feeling the burden in
the Joy of having her safe, his own
darling, after those few terrible mo-
ments of despair. Carrying her into
the library he quickly summoned her
aunt, and the girl was soon put to bed.
When, after awhile they found the
note, John could not understand it all,
although, with rare trust in a man, he
felt sure that whatever might be the
solution of this strange enigma Win.
ME was still the noble Winnie of old.
Mrs. Redmond being woman saw
deeper, and in the few carefully chosen
words read the whole pitiful little
story and the true woman's heart of the
young girl who was now lying in high
fever, and raving of wills and dark
rivers, and repeating over and oyer
again the words she had heard in the
library, which, in one Of his visits to
the sick-room, John chanced to hear
and recognized as his own, making clear
to him what had been dark, and causing
a sigh for what might have been. For
bright little Winnie, the household
darling and queen, lay apparently dy-
ing.
Many nights they watched, despair
ing; at last she was pronounced out of
danger, and one day soon afterward saw
her in the old sunny window of the IL
brary. She was only pale little shadow
of herself, with all her life and spirit
crushed out, and it became apparent to
all that the burden on her mind must
be removed or she would never recover.
So John carried her downstairs, and as
the golden head lay on his breast, he
could not help thinking of that night
when the curls were wet and storm
tossed, and he bent to kiss her as he
had done then. The caress BROUGHT q
wave of color to the pale cheeks, making
her look more like the Winnie of old
days. When he laid her on the lounge
and arranged the shawl and pillows, she
looked wistfully at Aunt Louise, who,
smiling kindly at her, went to attend
some household concerns.
"John will entertain you dear" she
said, as she closed the door.
For q moment neither spoke, for both
we're thinking of the explanation which
they felt must come. Then John, see
ing the pain and shame on the dear
face, went over to her with the old win
ming, tender smile, and kneeling down
on one knee took both the cold, tremb-
ling little hands in his warm, strong
ones, and said, in the low, tender tones
in which he always spoke to her:
"We will let the past go, Winnie
dear, and never will ask the reason OF
that nights story; but, little one, I want
you to trust me, too. have loved you
long while dear, and Uncle Gilbert's
fortune could be no temptation to me.
Yes, know just what you mean," as
she interrupted him; &C. know what you
heard that night, but, dear, you did not
hear it all. I would not ask you to
marry me because believed you did
not love me; but now, Winnie, will you
be my wife p
She had meant to be brave and digni-
fed, but her illness had made her
weak as a child, and his tender trust