Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-04-23

into the library to await my escort.
Sitting near the window, began to
hum aCome Ger the Water, Charlie"
forgetting how appropriate the words
were 10 the occasion, when Mr.. lPierson
came into the room and gave me SO
significant a glance that my cheeks
grew red as peony at,once. =
what pity Charlie isn't Ger the
water now" he said, mockingly, to
see and hear you. DO you know OF
what am reminded as / see you thus ?"
and he read from the book in his hand
this passage: "Corinne waited at her
window for Oswalds coming. Her face
was filed with eager expectancy, and
his name was often upon her lips" SIS
not the picture true?" with such sar-
castle emphasis that ] was stung to the
quick. lAEl q II "a =
Il know just how unmaidenly you
consider me, Mr.. Pierson, I-'said. ris-
ing haughtily; shut you might have
spared your finer perceptions this rude
shock had you not stolen noiselessly
upon me here. Rather arrogant, was
j not, Cecil? o si,sfr.f.. \
He paled visibly beneath my scornful
words, but only answered in q quiet
tone, II had no all-engrossing thought
to cause me TO forget that this was the
hour we have usually devoted to French,
Miss Beaumont Pardon me that / re-
membered when you did not"
Truly / had forgotten the French
lesson quite, and stood dumb and con-
victed, while he put his French book
on the shelf, saying, "There will be nc
further need for me to read Corinne at
present, since have her prototype al
ways before me-" and then he left the
room. b
He was gone to the city for three
days after that, and came back looking
worn and pale, and with an air of de-
preston about him.
Bess and were wandering aimlessly
around that afternoon, for Miss Crane
and Miss Pierson were off on shopping
expedition; Jack and Major Piersor
away, and we were lonely. The cinnl
of a boat-chain drew our attention OF
we strolled near the lake, and we found
Mr.. Pierson just starting for q row.
| "Ohl take us too, Brewer Frank,
cried Bessie. A.
He started at the sound of her voice
but quietly turned and set her in thu
boat, saying, "Of course I'll take you
little one"
"Miss Twixie, tool You mustn't for
Diet Miss Twixie."
"I'll hardly do that" he murmured
as he took my reluctant hand, fol
nothing but fear Of scene with BESSIE
1uuuccu me 10 uoo0pts
We were very quiet after our start
I had never known Mr.. Pierson to b.
so distracted; but as we passed cluml
of water-lilies Bessie cried out. 9Th
lilies the lilies Do, Miss Twixie, ge
me some"
1 leaned eagerly over the side t
grasp one as we shot by, but it was to
far, and failed.
"Let me turn the boat among them,
said Mr.. Pierson; at is rather danger
Gus to dip the side so much"
An evil spirit took possession of m
at these words, and, without replying
L made another grasp at the covete
lily. The boat gave q sudden lurch
and little Bess and were thrown on
into the water.
! / caught the little one as we sank
and, when we rose again, held her aloi
with all the energy of desperation
She was taken from me, and in o shol
MY poor little Bessie ray tner
across seat, white-faced and silen
and, with an agonized pang, / realize
to what my willfulness had b1 ought me
Bitter tears filled my eyes as I too
the little darling in my arms, and whe
i noticed the deep pallor that had sci
tied on her brothers brow, 1 implore
him in penitent accents to forgive me
and asked tearfully why he had rescue
one so undeserving at the risk of hi
own life.
"What would that life" he bega
impetuously, and then compressed hi
lips as though no other word shoul
pass them.
Little Pess was very sick that nigh
with Group, and we watched with he
ceaselessly till daybreak. Once as
held her in my arms CHANGED to rails
my eyes, and it was to find her brothe
regarding me with so strange lool
that / could not fathom it. The eve
blaZed with some strong feeling tina
v
it repressed anger?
have been heartsick and weary sine
that wretched night, and long for you
dear friend, far more than i can say
But "don't be sorrowful, darling;"
soon shall be well again, and then
shall be as now, your loving, but no
your weak and tired friend, TRIxIE.
| Letter No 81
AUG. /.
But for little fleeing languor tina
hangs about me still, am quite mysel
again, though the old light heartednes
has not come back even yet, Cecil, an,
in its place there fingers an ugly littl
pain that in vain try to drive away.
Miss Pierson often looks with dis
turbed eyes at Mr.. Frank Pierson ant
then across to me. Does she imagin,
that i, too, am prey to q secret grief?
My conjecttres in regard to Mr.. Pier
sons constant depression met with al
unexpected confirmation few evening"
since. Shall tell you of it? 1 wa,
sitting in my window in the darkness
when Miss Ida's voice came up to ME
from the gravel walk below. "Pool
Frank" she said, "and that was why
you came back looking so pale anc
worn? Forgive me, cousin, that hav,
| gained your secret" And then, littl,
later, Mr.. Persons deeper tones:
"She is too artless- to conceal hel
preference for him, and 1 feel NOR,
keenly than l can tell the power my
rival yields"
Your rival, Frank !" with an incredu
lous laugh; chow could such mar
rival your" - meFy