The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-03-29

grasp and passed beyond her reach. but
she leaned frantically over in vain NJ
tempt to regain it. and with her weight
on ono Gde, the boat gave . lurch and
eh0 was Sprecipitated into the water.
Ono wild effort to regain the boat, then
all was q blank.
1t was to find herself on shore with Don
aid En- erson's strong arms about her
ard her he ID resting upon his breast
while with grave, anxious face he was
looking for some sign of life.
Ny darling" he murmured, softly,
and pressed q kiss upon her pale brow,
while Myrtle made an effort to .prin,
up, but her st ength was gone and sht
sank back powerless.
Then gathering her up in his arms
he would child, he bore her to tn
house and laid her upon the loungei
the sitting-room, and when he ha,
called Mrs. Murray, he went to hi
chamber.
Aunt Fannie proceeded to put yer
helpless, meek little girl into dry cloth
ing; then give her q hot draught an.
sent her to bed two hours before sun
set.
The vigorous treatment averted an,
unpleasant results Of the immersion il
the pond, and next day Myrtle was near
ly recovered from the shock, a littl.
paler that usual, a triae languished, bn
very interesting convalescent, NJ,
Emerson thought, when he entered til
sitting room, and found her reclinin
upon the lounge.
Mr.. Emerson, owe my life to you,'
Martie said, with emotion when became
forward and took her hand in his. SLOW
can ever repay vou?" and her dark
expressive eyes filled with tears.
dare claim reward?"
Donald Emerson looked earnestly
down IN the young face, pure as The fra
grant water-lilies in the vase on til,
table.
The look in his clear, gray eyes aske.s
the question he feared to put in words
and bright glow Stance the rale cheel
of the girl, but when he asked will
voice husky with intense feeling, Evil
you be my wife?" she answered frank.
~: ..... .-..
| never thought of such thing, Mr..
Emerson. l am very grateful for your
kindness, and respect you highly, bu;
10 not love you. I am only n little
girl" she said, speaking nervously, ''an,:
never loved any one like that's" then
the tears began to sparkle in her dark
eyes.
II will not distress you," Donald EN-
erson said; ''it foolish to think that YOU
could care for me. We may be friends.
stiIl?" he asked, holding out his hand as
he was about to leave the room.
Yes. ch, yes! l want you always to
lie my FRIEND" Myrtle exclaimed i'm
pulsively.
"Always, nv little girl, "he answered,
grave! y, holding for single instant be-.
little hand in his firm clasp, and then
he left the room, while Myrtle, though
she did not love Donald Emerson the
least bit, though it Was rather nice to be
loved.
An hour af1erward Mrs. Murray came
IN to tir.d Myrtie's ey es very bright and
her cheeks very red ard questioned her
anxioasly, for she feared she was fever.
ish.
mot at ALL" Myrtle told Aunt Fannie
.'she was much better"
"Mr. Emerson has gone away very
suddenly" Mrs: Murray remarked, after
u little pause, Ito be gone an indefinite
period. l should think, for he said it
might be for a month or perhaps wear.
Myrtle De Forest" Aunt Fanny cues.
toned, with the sternness of a Judge.
"No- yes-we!l it might be what I
said," Myrtle answered., with flushed
face, and fearful eyes.
Then She told her aunt what Mr.. En-
erson had asked, and her answer.
'Foolish child" Mrs. Murray said, az
she shut the door and left Myrtle to in
dulpe in a fit of CRYING.
September came, clear and crisp, with
its invigorating air, its breath of frosti-
ness.
Myrtle would soon go home; somehow
she did not care as much for the country
as she used to, she told Aunt Fanny.
and perhaps she should not come next
summer, at which, Mrs. Murray smiled,
when Myrtie's back was turned.
"A letter from Mr.. Emerson" Myrtle
aunt remarked, careiessly, at the din
ner table: "he has been .>rv i'll since lie
went away. He writes that be shall re-
turn when Miss De Forest goes back to
the city. but he will not come to annoy
her W tn his presence"
"Auntie," Myrtle said, in very per-
suasive tone, write and tell him to
come straight back. don't want to
keep him away from his homeland tell
that-that-Myrtie De Forest wants him
to come; there, will that be an unmai-
denly message, Aunt Fannie?"
"Qnite the reverse, ] should saw"
Mrs. Murray replied, with CLEAN of
mirthfulness in her pleasant black ewes.
+ Donald Emerson came back, and Mvr-
tie, with the fickleness ascribed to wo-
men, had changed her mind, for to the
same question again asked, she answered
yes.