The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-19

Distances were short IN Sm0kSsOn, an
Mod was back at the church with her in
formation before the ceremony was owe
and set the news afloat so successfully
that it soon reached the bridal party
There was a hasty, whispered con
sultation; then the bride and groom
stepped into carriage and returned Il
| Mr.. Tracy's, while the best man sprang in
to another in order to inquire into tn,
accuracy of the tidings.
| Stephen saw the carriage drive up, and
drawing himself to his full height, plunged
his hand into his breast. But only one
| person stepped from the vehicle, and thai
| not the one for whom he waited. AS be
! looked on with fiercely cleaning, be-
| wildered eyes a hand was laid upon his
arm, and Mod looked up into his face;
| Mod, in her draggled waterproof, with her
green veil pushed up from face trans
| formed for the moment into beauty by the
! light of the soul within.
''Stephen," she said, holding his eyes
| with hers, "they will not leave to-day.
| The river is rising; all South Smoketon is
under water, and the people are drowning.
Come with me and save them. Come,
Stephen" she added, solemnly, as he hest
tated, gazing in surprise at her trans
figured cOuntenance, "prove yourself a
venge."
BLAMED if don'tw said Stephen Dare.
He walked forward a step, drew his
hand from his breast. and with whirl of
his wrist sent something bright, cleaning
and sparkling into the fast approaching
water. Then, taking Mod by the elbow,
he hurried her away to her own home,
where he put her within the door, saying
briefly: "Now you're safe, Mod; stay
there" and FASTENED on.
Stephen Dare was the best oarsman in
Smoketon, but he found himself surpassed
that day, not only in skill, but in cool,
ready daring; for Champ Preston had been
the crack oar of his college and had pulled
stroke in many a boat-race, and now, with
his brides kisses warm on his lips, he felt
strong with the strength of ten.
81 didn't think he had it in him, the
blame galoot," said Stephen, with I'M
willing admiration. The languid, blue
eyes were quietly, keenly alert; the tall,
slender form proved to have muscles of
iron under the smooth, white skin Stephen
had so despised. Aud the strongest mus
cles, the readiest courage, had their work
cut out for them that day.
Apart at times, at other times together,
the rivals toiled, bringing many a boat
load of half-drowned wretches to safety
and such comfort as was obtainable, while
the rain still fell and the water rose
steadily higher. As the darkness increased
it grew more difficult to avoid the logs,
beams and wrecks of all descriptions which
the terrible river swept downward with
resistless force. One of these crashed at
last into Champ Preston's boat and crushed
in its side as though it had been an egg
shell. In half moment it had filled and
sunk, and the rowers were struggling in
the black, raging current. Stephens boat
was close at hand, and rushed at once to
the rescue. One, two were picked up alive;
the third, with a small, fatal bruise upon
h floxv or11a al
some moments without success.
"And married, too, this morning, poor
fellow" said one of the rescuers COM
paSsionately.
They were pulling away from the place,
when Stephen caught r. glimpse of a white
face and yellow hair entangled in the
branches of tree that hung over the water.
Should he speak? Why endanger the lives
of all aboard by going back for, perhaps, a
dead man? Besides, had not Fate paid Off
his score against his rival? Then why
interferei
But Stephen had for hours been spending
himself for others, and therefore the
struggle was short before he said quietly:
Hold up, fellows! Yonder he is"
Myra and Mod in the meantime had not
been idle. There was much to be done for
those taken out of the water, and, as the
two worked together, they learned, if not
10 like, at least to respect, each other.
Every room in Mr.. Tracy's house had been
thrown open to the sufferers; mattresses,
beds, hastily -improvised touches of all de-
,criptions, covered the floors, and there did
not seem to be room for even one more,
when suddenly Stephen stood before them,
saying anxiously: snow, girls, don't
either of you fly off the handle. There's no
young widow in this !party, for
les alive and herew
Myra Preston saw the white, unconscious
ace of form which four men were bring
ng carefully in, and sprang towards it
With low cry
81 saw him when the rest had given him I
lp," said poor Stephen, gazing wistfully
liter her, as she followed those who bore
way her husband to a long but sweet
ecovery. II picked him out of the tree
myself, and broke the news to her as care
ul rs lamb, and she never even said
beans'w
did you save him, Steve? o, Steve,
lid you, really?o
Stephen turned and looked for a moment T.
nto Mods face, then, opening his arms,
rev her to his breast, where, dripping
vet as he was, she laid her cheek in
apturouS content.
Il won't be left by every girl in town."
aid Stephen. "rll marry you, Mod. You
ept me from making n blame fool of my
elf this morning, and Phi make you q
God husband.
Mods only answer was a happy smile,
nd Stephen, bending his handsome head,
epaid with kiss the lips that had saved
is soul.-ChicdgO Tribune.