The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05

the stream, still they did near the bank
little. But the lasher roared nearer
and nearer, and the stream pulled them
to 1t with iron force. They were close
to it now. Then willow bough gave
them one chance. Hope .grasged it,and
Dough he got to the branch, and finally
clutched the stem of the tree, Just as
his feet were lifted up by the rushing
water, and both lives hung upon that
willow-tree. The girl was on his left
arm, and his right arm round the will
low.
Grace" said he, feigning calmness.
"Put your arm around my neck, Mary"
"Yes, dear" said she, firmly.
snow don't hurry yOurself-theic'S no
danger; move slowly across me, and hold
my right arm very tight
She did so.
"Now take hold of the bank with your
left hand; but don't let go of me-"
ayes, DEAR" said the little heroine,
whose fear was gone now she had Hope
to take care of her.
Then Hope clutched the tree with his
left hand, pushed Mary on shore with
his right, and very soon had her i'm his
arms on terra ffma.
But now came change that con-
founded Mary BARLEY, to whom man
was very superior being; only not al
ways Ineligible.
The brave man fell to shaking like an
aspen leaf; the strong man to sObbing
and gasping, and kissing the girl wild
Jy. "Oh. my child! my child"
Then Mary, OF course, must gulp and
cry little for sympathy; but her quick
changing spirit soon shook it off, and
she patted his cheek and kissed him,
and then began TO comfort him, if you
please. Good, dear, kind Mr.. Hope"
said she. La! don't go on like that
You were so brave in the water, and
now the danger is over. I've had duck
ing, that is all. Ia. ha! hap and the
little wretch began to laugh.
"Oh. my child" said he, 'how can You
laugh? You have been near eternity,
and if You had been lost, what should
oh God!"
Mary turned very grave. Yes" said
she. Il have been near eternity. 1t
would not have mattered TO you--you
are such good man-but should have
caught it for diSobedience. But, dear
Mr.. Hope, let ne tell YOU that the mo-
meni You put yolir arm round me felt
Just as safe IN ;hc water as Oh dry land:
so y or see have had longer to get over
it than yOu have; that accounts for my
laughing. No ii d0esn [: I'm giddy,
giggling girl, with m deph of character,
and not worthy of all this affection.
Why does everybody love mey They
ought to be ashamed of themselves"
Hope told her she was little angel,
and everybody was right to love her:
indeed, they deserved to be hanged If
they did not,
Mary fixed on the word angel. "If l
was an angel" she said, 81 shouldn't be
hungry, and am, awfully. Oh please
| come home: papa is so punctual: Mr..
Hope, are you going to tell papa? Be
cause if you d,e,. just. you take me and
throw me in again. I'd rather be drown
ed than scolded." This with a defiant
attitude and flashing eyes,
mo, no." said Hope; 81 will not tell
him, TO vex him, and get you scOlded."
Then let us run home"
She took his hand, and he ran with
her like playmate, and oh! the fathers
heart leaped and glOwed at this sweet
companiOnship after danger and terror.
When they got near the house Mary
BARLEY began to walk and think. She
had a very thinking cOuntenance at
times, and Hope watched her, and WON
dered what were her thoughts. She was
very grave, so probably she was think
ing how very near she had been to the
other world.
Standing on the doorstep, whilst he
stood on the gravel, she let him know
this tender age, she had very searching
eyes: they were gray now, though they
had been blue. She put her hands to
her waist, and she bent those searching
eyes on William Hope.
"Mr. Hope" said she, in resOlute
sort of way.
"My dear" said he, eagerly.
"You lore me better than papa does
that s ALL"
And having administered this infor-
nation as az dry fact that might be worth
looking into at leisure, she passed
thoughtfully into the house.
CHAPTER vi.
SHARP PRACTICE.
Hope paid visit to his native place
i'm Derbyshire, and his poor relations
shared his prosperity, and blessed him,
and Mr.. BARLEY upon his, report; for
Hope was one of those choice spirits
safe over the stream of adversely.
He returned. to Sussex with all the
news, and amongst the rest, that Colo
mel Clifford had farm coming vacant.
Walter Clifford had insisted OH high
er rent at the conclusion of the term,
but the tenant had demurred.
BARLEY paid little attention at the
! time; but by-and-by he said, did you
not see signs of coal Oh Colonel Cliff
fOrd's prOperty?"
"That / did and on this very farm and
told him so. But he is behind the age.
have no patience with him. Take one
of those old iron ramrods that used to
load the old musket, and cover that
ramrOd with prejudices foot and a
half deep, and there you have Colonel
Clifford"
"Well, but tenant would not be
bound by his prejudices."
a tenant! a tenant takes no right
to mine, under a farm lease; he would
have to propose special contract, or
to ask leave, and Colonel Clifford would
never grant it,"
There the conversation dropped. But
the matter ranked in Bartley's mind.
Without saying any more to Hope, he
consulted a sharp attorney.
The result was that he took Mary
BARLEY with him into Derbyshire.
lie put up at little inn, and called