The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-02
PIT TO THE TEST.

OF D0Lu Sexes was Oue pIA8ub nAAbcE >
morning assembled at Greystone Tow
ers, the country abode of Mrs. Ashton,
retired banker, whose only daughter,
Lillian, governed his house, and bright
ened it with her fair young presence.
Among the guests at the Towers was
one who followed every movement Of
its mistress with longing gaze, but de-
spair in his heart. Harry Graham had
but lately returned to England, after
an absence Of five years in Australia,
cherishing a secret hope that Lillian,
who was only sixteen when he left,
would be found there, and without
either husband or lover.
Before he went away Harry had not
breathed a single word of love to Lii
ian Ashton. He thought her too young
TO be spoken to in regard to a matter
that so intimately concerned her future
welfare; and as for starting court
ship by means of letter-writing when
he was SO far away from her, he had
too much sense for that.
Zoo late! Too latel" were the
words that were whispered into his
thoughts Immediately after his return
TO his old home, to learn that Lillian
was already engaged to q young man
who had been one of his early asso-
ciates. although for some reason, they
had always been rivals rather than
friends.
But, of course, it was impossible for
Lillian to have known, or even sus-
pected, anything of that sort, for that
hope, so fondly and deeply cherished,
had been guarded with the utmost
care. and by no word or breath had
his disappointment been limited to any
one.
1--WE are making up skating party.
to-day. VIII you join us, GrahamP"
The invitation was given by half-a-
dozen young men, among them George
Bertram.
81 don't think it is safe to go on the
ice to-day" was Graham's firm and
quiet reply. 81 hope you are not GO
ing to take any ladies with you"
'.Indeed we are!n was their gay and
careless answer. Conc for each of us;
and We will find one also for YOU"
An hour later, skating party rushed
down on the ice, and were soon whirl-
ing and pirouetting in every direction.
Meantime, Harry was standing near
the bank of the river, observing their
performances with deep interest, and
yet with some anxiety and concern.
He knew there had been heavy rains
up the river, and he had observed q
gradual swell of the ice, and he be-
lieved it was liable to break suddenly
at any moment, and with little or no
warning.
81 wish had come home year
ago." he unused; II am sure could |
have wooed and won Lillian; and l
know she would have loved me better |
than she will ever love George Ber-
tram"
And yet on these emotions and |
thoughts the young man imposed a
firm restraint, and inwardly resolved
that by no word, look or act would he
over jeopardize her happiness, by per-
hitting her to discover or have reason
to suspect that he had ever felt for her
any special or personal interest.
Wild and frenzied screams were
rending the air, as in quick and rapid
succession, nearer and still nearer,
came a terrific rumbling and roaring
rs if a thousand pieces of artillery
were being simultaneously discharged.
The river had broken, and an immense
avalanche of ice was rapidly descend
ing Already the very surface on
which the skaters were few moments
before so gaily disporting themselves
was breaking and parting, and the hap
less victims were clinging to the frag-
ments.
Instantly snatching boat-hook that
CHANGED to be lying near where he
stood, Harry Graham bounded from
one broken fragment to another. His
eye was fixed on one object, and he
saw nothing else, except with such
hasty glances as aided and directed his
movements.
On single piece of ice, broken and
separated, and moving rapidly down
the now rushing current, stood the
form of that one whose gay and happy
movements he had been watching with
so much interest few minutes before.
Standing there alone, with ont-stretch-
ed arms, he saw Lillian Ashton, implor-
ing that aid which, though now appar-
entity impossible, could alone rescue
her from certain and inevitable death.
To hurriedly reach the ice-foat that
was carrying Lilians alone and un-
protected, and which was liable to be
crushed in pieces any moment obliged
Harry to spring from one broken piece
to another until more than half the
broad stream had been crossed. He
struck the float with his boat-hook,
and then with one lsst desperate
bound, stood-Yhere shall we saye At
her sidea
But where was George Bertrand At
the first crack of the ice he had sprung +,
like frightened antelope, and at the
third bound was safe on the shore.
He saw his beloved Lillian rush to the
arms of her reseuer, and q strange
pang shot through his heart or at least
through that part of his body where
his heart If he had one, would have {
been located. Was It an emotion Of
intense joy9
Within the next hour the river was
clear; and to return Lillian to her home
and parents, safe and well, was an
easy and pleasant part of the days
George Bertram was
soon there, of course. as lover should e
be, to congratulate his dear Lillian on
her fortunate escape. and to express, j,
also. to Harry Graham. his grateful ac- d
knowledgements for the valuable SER
vices he had rendered. V
But whence this strange reYersionP d
Lillian looks at and regards her de-
voted lover somewhat as she might Z
have been expected to do If she had 7
lust taken cold bath and had not yet \
from the chill I
Harry left soon after Mr.. BertrAm
came IN. thinking his presence might 4
be somewhat embarrassing; buthe took
with him the young lady's very cordial :
thanks, to which he was of course very :.
properly entitled, in return for the SER :
Fiees he had rendered. He did not =
however, call until the evening Of The y =
fourth day after that remarkable adj I.
venture. His reason for not calling =
vas that be felt certain that the pros =
Deetive husband Of that young lady boz
ieved that IS there was no longer any
Hanger Of her being drowned. be could
Easily bestow upon her all the attention e
he required. 70
81 am very glad. my dear. that Jon b
we're so happily rescued. " said George SO
3ertram, when he was alone with his 81
ady-loye. m
II am gratifed 10 learn that you feel n
o much interest IN my welfare. = was OF
1ilian's quiet response. es
To have the Young lady stop st this ne
loint was very embarrassing. Il she 11e
sd said little more, her lover might 81
ave seen where snd how to fit Ia . 80
emark that would suit the occasion. ey
Yery ugly feeling began 70 crowd it. 50
slf up into his thoughts. Jealousy. ~
le demon, vas catching and fWingeing !eI
corner & his liver. m
safr. Graham, = BE finally said. sshas 81
own himself n this instance very - =
liant and brave; quite hero =.
Mr.. Grah am. replied Lllian. s.has =.
ne 10 more for nae than he Of any -.
il 81 true eonrs e Eoald Dc Tor any - -
" "a similar position cz peril g ~
& fssIi 81 e dark eyes gave 3 Pc s. s
lier 64sa etsrisaSnf force 20 fho ~