Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-08-31
her sleep. In any case, must follow to pro-

her sleep. In any case, must 1ollo" 10 pro-
tect her."
A very little watching suficed to show him
that she was at least wide awake, so on they
walked, The young man keeping in the deep
shadow Of the trees so that she did not ols'
cover him. e"
At last they reached the river, and here she
paused. A thrill OF fear caused him to has
ten his steps. But no, Winnie's was too no.
BILE soul to dream Of self destruction. 1t
was now raining heavily, and the flashes OF
lightning showed him the slightest figure bend
over the stream and drop into it the garden
hat that she carried, and then turned away
toward a bridge few yards farther down.
He followed noiseiessly, almost GREATNESS
from astonishment; the lightning revealed
her standing on the bridge, which was struck
by the next fash and she sank from sight be-
meath the waters. a1a.- az ,.,,' n..,-,
It was the work of second to spring in af-
ter her, cursing himself for not having stop
ped her before, and seize the unconscious form
as it rose to the surface. He was good
swimmer and soon gained the bank, where ne
laid his unconscious burden. She was not,
as he 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 rewarded for in a few moments
she opened her eyes, and recognizing him,
exclaimed as in the old, childish days:
'sDear old John ~
Then, as he raised her in his arms, murmur-
ing tender, loving words, she remembered all
and endeavored to break from his hold but
the exertion was too much and she sank back
fainting. They were only quarter of mile
from the house, and he carried her home, nev-
er feeling the burden in the JOY OF having her
safe, his own darling, after those few terrible
moments OF despair. Carrying her into the
library he quickly summoned her aunt, and
the girl was soon put to bed.
When, after while 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, Winnie, wasstll 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 s
heart of the young girl who was now lying III
high fever, and raving of wills and dark rivers,
and repeating over and over again the words
she had heard in the library, which in one of
his visits to the sick room, John CHANGED to
hear and recognize as his own, making clear to
him what had been dark, and causing sigh
for what might have been. For bright little
Winnie, the household darling and queen, lay
apparently dying.
Many nights they watched, despairing at
last she was pronounced out of danger, and
one day soon afterward saw her in the old
sunny window of the library. She was only a
pale little shadow of herself, with all her life
and spirit crushed out, and it became apparent
to all the burden on her mind must be removed
or she would never recover. So John carried
her down stairs, 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 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 moment neither spoke, for both were
thinking of the explanation which they felt
must come Then John, seeing the pain
and shame OH the dear face, went over to her
with the old winning tender smile, and kneel-
ing down on one knee took both the cold
trembling little hands in his warm, strong
ones and said, in low, tender tones in which
he always spoke to her
"We will let the past 60, Winnie dear, and
I will never ask the reason OF that night s
story but little one, want you to trust me,
too. 1 have loved you a long while, dear,
and Uncle Gilberts fortune could be no
temptation to me. Yes, I know just what you
mean,' as she interrupted him; II 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"
She had meant to be brave and dignified,
but her illness had made her weak as child,
and his tender trust broke down the last
remnant of her pride and self-possession. She
Just clasped her arms around his neck, and,
laying her head on his shoulder, cried softly.
Neither spoke word, but with his strong
arms around her she felt that the old bitter
sorrow had gone forever, and future full of
happiness was before her.
When she was calmer she insisted on telling
him all, and then she knew that if she had
erred her fault was at least generous one.
''You have not answered my question yet,
Winnie" he said, looking down into the blush
ing happy face raised so trustfully to his; do
you love me, my darling ?"
''I have loved you all my life, John," she
said, conquering her shyness in the endeavor
to make some return for his noble trust
'"Tbank God, dear - he said, reverently,
bending to kiss her lips.