The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-18

VERY extraordinary. sall Slr Row
land. ''You must make enquiries respect
ing the writer. Whoever the person is
we viii let him--or her-kuow that r1rac-
teal jokes do not meet with approval
here. And where did you leave"
at this point a young gentleman dashed
at full speed into the room. His face was
very pale, and for few moments he
could not speak.
All that were seated hastily rose, and
said: What has happeued7"
"OhT cried the young gentleman ex-
citeily, "it is awfulm
awful? What is? Speak7" cried Row
land.
miss Glace-she-she has fallen into
the lake and is drowned"
Rowland looked blaukly at the speaker,
and then wild cry of despair left his
lips, as, without waiting for his hat he
ran from the room.
All pressed round the young gentle
man anxious TO hear particulars. and
none appeared more eager than Ethel
Eager! She appeared distracted. she
wrung her hands and cried bitterly
In the midst Of their Lamentations a
shouting was heard outside; then came
the scamTering Of many feet, and soon It
was known that Grace was being carried
into the house
Of course, everyone hurried to the
door, all but Ethel, and she was busy en-
deavoriug 10 console Mrs. ThoIne
Presently, Sir Rowland, followed by
numbers Of the guests returned to the
room, and raising his hands. said: LET
US thank Godl It was true that Grace
fell into the water, but she has been
saved. Don't stir, Mrs. Thorue; take my
. assurance that your daughter is being
cared for by Rowland and the doctor Mr
Jones, who, happily, was one Of our
guests
Ethel stood erect. her face was now
very Iale, and her lips trembIed.
1--WE all thank Godr' she said; .but tell
us, Sir Rowland, who was the one who
saved herr
Leon Cathcart-brave Leon-Cod bless
himl But all. here he Is" he added. ad-
vauciug to him and shaking him warmly
by the hands, an act In which he was fol
lowed by almost all IN the room. Leon.
. my boy, accept my thanks, and those Of
her poor mother there. Mrs. Dauvers
" cannot thank you; her heart is too full"
"But I can thank him on her behalf"
said Ethel
And before Leon could prevent It she
had taken his hands. but he did not raise
his eyes to hers.
How dill it happen, Leon7" asked Sir
Rowland.
"I don't know exactly" said Leon calm
Is. Il think she must have got too close
to the water and over-Lalauced herself
. I was some distance away from the lake,
. but hearing her cries. I hurried to the
spot, and arrived only just in time to save
her"
"Brave hoy" cried Sir Rowland. again
shaking him 10y the hand. eve shall hear
how she managed It when she comes to-"
Leon now retired to change his clothes,
but he thought he could not face Ethel
again that night. and instead Of again
coming down stairs. he went to bed.
"Whaf "a shocking accident" said Mrs.
Danvers to Ethel as they were about re-
firing; "'ut for q mercifuI Providence
she would have drowned, Even now,
the immersion in the water may be the
cause If her death"
81 hope II may prove sor' thought
Ethel Then aloud she said: 1t may,
indeed. Let us hope II may please Heav-
en- to spare her for Rovlaui's sake"
When in her own room. Ethel was very
thoughtful for some time. Eventually
she commenced to pace the room.
i wonder" she muttered. whether
Leon saw mel No, no. that is not likely.
did IL all too secretly for that. And
even now / am fgiled" she said bitterly,
as she wruug her hands in despair.
"Everythiug seems against me. Wha
am 1 TO dor Shall I give up all attempts
as useless7 Perhaps 1t would be better
so. Perhaps It would be better for me
give my hand to Leon, and never see
Rowland again. Yes, yes. that would be
better tomorrow I have no doubt ne
viii ask me again. and this time he shall
not be denied"
With these thoughts uuperuost in her
mind she retired, but not to rest. Far
from It. For hours she tossed upon her
bed, and not until the sun poured in
through the cracks i'm the shutters did
she fall into a restless slumler.
CHAPTER VI.
A week passed away, and Grace ThoruC
had recovered and once more moved
among the guests. True, she was pale
S-erv 77aIe. and had wasted considerably
but the doctor said that all she required
now was plenty Of fresh air and eXercis,
TO bring her round again.
Poor Leon had had rather a hard tim'
Of it. Six days passed before lac coul,
leave his bed. lie had csuEht seveu
cold. and If was feared that rheumatic
would set in, uut, happily, that fearfu
complaint was arrested.
On tue seventh day Leon left his room
and going out hy the lack way, took
, walk in the direction Of the lake.
He wanted TO enjoy his cigar IN peac
and cuietag=s- II was q most lovely day
and Leon. as may be supposed. was de
lighted. for he had found 1t anything bu
Jolly to be cooped up in a bedroom for
. week.
Entering the summel-h0u=e, he fouu
. 1t deserted, and muttgriug his satisfaction
at such q desirable state Of affairs, b
proceeIaI to stretch himself AT full lengt
on one Of the seats.
But he was not allowed to remain b
r himself for long He had not been ther
d ten minutes before the cruuchiuE Of tn
= gravel told him someone was approaching
4 Looking through one Of the little win
dows, he saw that the person advancin
+, was none other than Ethel Dauvers.
> She was coming along slowly an