The Opelousas courier., 1884-01-12
break through" she said, trying to en-
| courage herself and Pearl,


soberly than quite suited the little girl;
but after everything was cleared away,
she had taken another look outside,
both felt better at perceiyipg that the
waters seemed at a stand-stilI.
Bring me the brush for your pretty
hair, Pearl"
Lit was n of the few things she
still had energy to do, this brushing
and fondling Of the child's hair. No
one, seeing its beautiful luxuriance,
could wonder at her loving. admiration.
Pearl took innocent pleasure in it as
n of the things which made her
sweet to father and mother, and
laughed as mamma loosened the soft
braids and held up the wayy mass to
catch the sunshine.
Papa says it's my golden flag" she
said.
when | was out hunting old Snow
last week, he knew it was me when |
was a mile away"
"Then you must hang out your flag
whenever you want him to find you.
| wish auntie were here to help you
to-day, my pet"
But the hand which held the long
golden braid suddenly dropped.
"Look there, Pearl!p'
Pearl sprang mp, and saw trees not
far away from their door standing in
water, where water had never been
before. In n moments glance she
marked how the river was broadening
and swelling. There was no sudden
rush or roa as would have been the
case with a narrower stream, or one
with high banks; but there was
still something mysterious and terri
Bile in the low sound, half-hissing.
half-murmuring, with which the pitt
less flood was half creeping upon them.
She turned with one thought in her
brave little heart-of caring for her
mother as she had promised.
Mamma darling, don't be frighten-
ed. You must get to the boat-you
can. / know, when I most carry you"
But the poor woman cried and trem-
bled.
"Oh. why did you leave us! The
levee has broken. We shall be drown
ed, Pearl, all alone here
Pearl had rushed out 70 the boat.
Most fortunately the bank to which
she had towed and secured it was
Drawing it now much nearer
the house, she came and hurriedly pre-
pared her mother, cooling to her all the
while endearing words of encourage
ment, never letting her guess how
her W face grew pale and her heart
stood still at the sight of the danger
which gathered faster and faster so
near them. Again she raj to the boat,
and this time, with dripping feet
moored it the door.
.NoW, mamma-quicki' Pearl could
never tell how she got her in. When
it was accomplished, she brought few
of the more valuable articles in the
house and placed them beside her.
Before all this was done she per-
ceiyed with increased alarm the vio-
lence with which the long-imprisoned
waters bore down upon them. They
beat angrily against the house, and re-
doubled her anxiety to get away from
it. But at the last moment she OBJ
served how the boat rocked and tossed,
and the idea suddenly flashed upon
her that her mother would be safer if
she herself remained behind.
mamma, I'm going to stay here
while you go in the boat. When you
get below the bend they will see you
and get you. Tell papa TO come for
me. Tell him I took care of you: and
don't be frightened, you dear, dear
mammal She gave her me long en-
brace, united and threw in the rope,
and carefully stepped Lack to the up
per step Of the door. Her mother had
not guessed her intention till the eur
rent was carrying them far apart.
She half arose with a scream of dismay.
ooh, PEARL my Pearl. come to mel
/ shall die without you! And what
win become Of your She caught one
glimpse Of the brave little white face
smiling at her, as the child called
cheerily after her
"Don't be frightened, darling. I'll
come to you just a 500 as I can. God
will take care Of you" And then the
rushing waters shut out every other
In her alarm and despair the mother
could have flung herself from the boat.
How tender the little face was, and
how small the childish figure, as it
stood there for the last word OF en-
enlargement to her Pearls face
grew paler as the timbers OF the old
house groaned and creaked. Her lit