Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-09-27
LOST IN THE FLOOD.

y
YOU doubted mer'
"No, Ethie, no, no! don't want
you to think that-you mustn't think so!
But your father is so kind to me, and
treats me so we'll, and loves you so
much, that it does seem to me that if he
knew how the happiness of both was
bound up in it he would not refuse. He
has known me from childhood. l have
been in his service now these five years
ever since was big enough to do a
mans work-and he knows who and
what | am."
"Yes, Daniel, that is all true, and 1
do not wonder that you feel as you do.
But mother knows better than you or
what his ambition is for me, and she as
sures me that did father suspect our
love, he not only would not employ you
for another day, but would forbid our
even speaking together"
"And then," Daniel cried impulsively,
Il could claim you, and we could defy
the world to keep us from each other!"
mo, no! not now-not yet! For the
present we must wait and hope. We
are both young, we see each other every
day; let us be patient for time, and
hope for the best. My father, as you
know, is very kind to me, and 1 love
him as q child should love q parent,
and l would not willingly displease
him."
Il wish you loved me as much as you
do him!'
The voice was petulant, but the tones
showed that the speaker did not distrust
his companion. Ethie bit her lips in
momentary vexation.
Daniel DeWolf, you must not talk SO
to mel" she exclaimed. ''You know
that love you more than l love any
one else on earth, and if duty called me
1 should follow your fortunes wherever
they might lead. But at present it is
better as it is.
And Daniel, who knew that she spoke
the truth, craved her pardon for the un.
kind reflection, and they parted.
The scene, not devoid of certain
picturesqueness, could scarcely have
been called romantic, for the converse.
ton just recorded had taken place in
the interior of rude saw-mill, rising
almost from the bed of brawl
ing mountain stream known as the
Branch" The swirl of the watel
among the rocks, the patter of rair
upon the roof, and the ceaseless tear O.
the great upright saw through the mas
sive log mingled with the voices of the
lovers, while brace of antiquated Ian
terms gave an unearthly distinctness tt
the chill interior.
1t was early autumn, and Ions
drouth had prevailed, bui now the first
considerable rain waS falling. and the
stream WAS hign enough TO allow the
continual running of the mill which was
pressed with demands for lumber which
had been delayed by the low water.
Daniels assistant had long since gone
home, but the former had volunteered
to run the saw mill into the night, and
Ethie had come through the storm will
pail Of hot coffee and lunch; and i
may be readily supposed that the op
portunity was not allowed to pass with
out 4 few sentences of endearment, fo1
the young couple were ardently il
love.
l. The situation is made reasonabl,
| plain by their conversation.
Hugh Crittenden. the father of Ethie
was the one man of the section in whicl
he lived. From small beginning h
had become comparatively wealthy
His were the mills, the country store
the postoffice, the local magistracy-il
fact, the business and social life of tn
little community revolved at his pleas
ure.
1t was but natural that the fathe
should take great pride in his sweet ant
beautiful daughter, now some ninetee
years, of age. There was, in fact, n
limit to his ambition in her behalf-a
ambition which Ethie no longer shared
since her heart was given to DAME
DeWolf, worthy young man in he
fathers employ, whose fortune sh
would be content to share.
'.She must 90 into society in tn
cities" her father had said only th
evening before our story opens. Ssh
is qualified, and she'll shine there
mind what tell you, she'll shin
there!'
For week the storm had continue
almost without cessation. So great
rainfall had scarce been known, an
the Branch, which had shrunken almo
to succession of pools, now roare
and dashed with frightful energy pa
the old brown mill.
All day long, and far into the nigh
the keen-toothed saw tore its wa
through the endless succession Of 10!
and Daniel often gazing out upon tt
mad waters fancied that they rehecte
his own heart, for truth to tell, he W;
far from calm. He loved intensely, b
it was by no means clear to him no
his love was ever more hopeful pha
than at present.
And when at last the gates were shu
and the wheel ceased its revolutions,
would retire to the little "office,"
which a couch had been placed, and q
vide the few hours of rest between slet
and the futile efforts to see beyond Il
dark veil of the future.
The office was q narrow room, bu
! out from the side Of the mill. and DR.