The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-04

or the outburst of n truthful passion.
You know, for you must have felt what
a subtle sympathy has existed between
us from the time that our eyes first met;
how our thoughts, even when unex-
pressed, seemed to find echoes and an-
swers in the others face-how deeply,
truly, tenderly, have loved you, and l
think, with this knowledge, that l am
not unreasonable in asking of you at
least q serious answer"
For tire third time, the traces of
strange and powerful emotion were
visible in May Luner's face, and again
and again she turned impetuously to-
wards him, only to relapse the next in
slant into an expression of more frigid
indifference than before She had wait
ed an instant after he had finished
speaking, as if combating some internal
foe, and then answered with sort of
grim determination:
You should have it, Mr.. Dacie. l do
not love YOU"
She was rushing away, but he caught
her hand.
'May-May You are not speaking
the truth! This is some of your in
domitable pride. May, 1 know that
you love me. You cannot look in my
eyes and deny it."
You have misunderstood me, with
mans usual vanity" she replied
haughtily; ana tearing herself from his
grasp, ran out into the hall, where she
met Mrs. Dacie.
"Miss Luner, you may put on your
hat and shawl" said the stately little
lady, land 90 over TO Mrs. Marchmart's
for me. She has some patterns for me
this morning, and was to explain them
to me; but find myself disinclined to
exertion this morning, and there are
none of the servants with sufficient in
telligence to remember her instructions.
You will be kind enough to hurry back,
Miss Luner, rs Ginevra will be waiting
for her French lesson, and-why, are
you madp You are going out without
your hat!'
''Do YOU think it is safe for Miss Luner
to go?' asked Arthur. who, hearing his
mothers command, came out into the
hall just us the governess fitted through
the door 'She must cross the bridge,
and you know that the stream is swollen
into torrent, and that there were
rumors half an hour ago that tho upper
dam had gone"
Mrs. Dacie looked sublimely indiffer
ent.
at is really very creditable and hui
name in you, Arthur, to interest your
self in person like Miss Luner," she
returned loftily; "but had / thought
there was any danger | should not have
sent her."
Arthur looked at her with q curious
smile for an instant, and taking his hat,
hastily left the house; too late, however.
if he meant to overtake May Luner be-
fore she reached the bridge, for, agi-
tated by q storm Of contcnding passions,
she ran onward as though impelled by
furies, and was halfway across the frail
plank that spanned the swollen stream
before her pre-occupiod senses took note
of the signs of her great danger.
Only u few inches below the boards,
that trcmbled as though they would give
way each moment, roared and eddied
the water, whirling along with velocity
that turned her sick and giddy to wit
ness it, and forced her to cling to the
rotten railing for support. She tried to
return, but her knees gave way under
her, and the whole, scene swan before
her eyes.
"May-Mayr' shouted Arthur, who
by this time mad reached the bank.
Come back, for Heavens sake! The"
A loud cry arose from the crowd who
had assembled to witness the progress
of the freshet May turned hastily in
the direction towards which they were
looking-where, few moments before,
the stream had tumbled impetuously
over the dam, just above the bridge,
now lowered wall of water, green,
| foam-flecked.
She stretched out her arms towards
Arthur; it was just above her head.
'Forgive-I-"
1t was on her, and the bridge, and the
struggling girl upon it, were swept
away before it, like feather.
A deep groan went up from the crowd,
answered by hoarse Cry from Arthur,
rs hastily tearing off his outer garments
he threw himself headlong into the boil
ing maelstrom.
Then hush, broken by the shrill
voice of Mrs. Dacie, who, notwithstand-
ing 'her Discrimination to exertion,"
had followed Arthur, just in time to see
him spring from the bank.
"Stop him Arthur, come back! Come
! back! Come back, | say, boy! What
is her wretched life compared with
yoursP"
"Better not waste your breath, mad
am" said rough-looking man near
her, half derisively. ale couldn't hear
thunder where he is" pointing to
Arthur. who was swimming strongly
and steadily towards the spot where
May had disappeared. my! that was
q narrow shaver as huge log just
grazed him. There she comes! can
see her long hair. Hurrah, he's got
hcr-hurrahn' And the pcnt-up feel.
ings of the crowd found vent in II loud
shout, us Arthur carefully deposited his
precious charge OH the bank.
us he your sonP" said Mrs. Dacie's
rough questioncr ''If he is, | give you
Joy of him. He's brave fellow.
That's his sweetheart, 1 s'posep"
Mrs. Dacie made no answer, but
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