The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-06-22

was NJ us nclGnt. Inc Ellf DflUe, neF
long delayed hopes fulfilled, hoated in
and out in the maZes of the dance, the
gayest of the gay, Ruth, her face flushed,
seemed to have forgotten her sorrow in
the enjoyment Of this suspicious occa-
sion. BY her grace and tact | could see
that she was adding much to the enjoy
ment of others. Tie happy mother of
the bride moved about unno 81 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, l am So glad we came. l
never knew it was such pleasure to make
others happy. am not;, bit sad now
believe ! could even meet Frank with
vomposure. iark! What is tl,at:" she
exclaimed, turning toward the open win
dow, through which came Il duff, harsh
murmur.
Before she had time to say more there
WAS an uproar at the lower end of the
room, cry of "Crcvasse! Crevassew
from the ai'righted servants, and Frank
Russell rushing through crowd of dan
GERS, leaped upon a chair not three steps
from us and shouted:
1.-The levee has broken; save your
selves at once, there is no time to lose"
There was an instant of awful silence;
every breath was hushcd, and rosy
cheeks were blanched with terror; then
the voice Of the despairing bride rang
out:
ut has come true! It has come true!"
she cried, and rs she fell into the arms
Of her husband the guests fled in every
direction. The gr.y-haired 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 see. Even
in that terrible moment could not help
thinking how brave and handsome he
was. l did not wonder that Ruth had
lost her heart to him. At length his
eye rested on It's. 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, as his face blanclled and his lips
shut close;
eve can only save ourselves. Come"
He swung Ruth lightly through the
easement, claspeu me by the arm, and
we fled away from the house of feasting
with the brides heart-rending shrek in
our ears and the mothers blanched face
upturned in her hopeless prayer ever
before our eyes as we dashed out into
the night and joined in the wild scram-
bic for life.
The blackness 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-
ried 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 wrested from its con.
querors. The current was SO strong il
seemed certain death to trust ourselves
to it, but it was the only chance. We
stepped in the boat and each seized All
oar. We pushed out and the fight fol
life began.
We were trying to force our way
through the crevasse up to higher grounC
when suddenly bonfire some one haG
lighted hours before blazed up, and We
saw .clinging in the branches Of tree
rushing past us the bride clasped tightly
in the arms of her husband. Was the
PAoPhSCJ w w lNllIlCNA, uCNC1 " " 1lS
or a mother?" Though the attempt was
madness, we strove to reach them. For
tunatcly both Ruth and myself were &c
complished oarswomen 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
us and waved his hand in acknowledge
ment. Frank changed our course ant
We shot off into the darkness again. AT
ter hours Of desperate fighting for oul
lives, the faint light of dawn came t.
our aid, and at last we were able to land
AS soon as our feet were on firm
ground again Ruth turned to Frank and
held out both her hands with tears il
her eyes and trembling lips, but said nc
word. He drew her to him and kissed
her again and again. They were saved
for each other, but l thought of Mai
Grant with sigh.
We found him st the mouse of a friend
miles back from the river, where he had
been borne for safety, but the excite
ment and exertion hadbeen too great for
his strength, and he was suffering from
a severe hemorrage which was wasting
his life-blood. Ruth went at once tc
him leading Frank by the hand.
Some hours after, as 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 on 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
err: ruth DEAR" he whispered. She
raised her head. He drew her to him
with yearning in his eyes that woulC
not be refused. Their lips met in one
long, last kiss. Then he reached Out
and taking Franks hand put
Ruth's into it, and blessed them with 8
look of unutterable love till the light
failed from his eyes for ever.