The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-30


..May-May.r shouted arthur, VINO
by this time had reached the bank
Come back. for Heavens sakel 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 a wall of water, green.
foam-hecked-
She stretched out her arms towards
Arthur; it was just above her mead
..Forgive-I-
II was on her, and the bridge, and the
struggling girl upon IT, were swept
away before it, like feather.
A deep gran went up from the crowd,
answered by hoarse cry from Arthur,
as hastily tearing off his outer garments
he threw himself headIong into the boil
ing maelstrom.
Then a hush, broken by the shril
voice of Mrs. Dacie, who, notwithstand-
inc ..her disinclination 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
yours?'
Better not waste your breath, mad
am said a rough-looking man near
her, half derisively. He couldn't hear
thunder where he is, pointing to
Arthur. who was swimming strongly
and steadily towards the spot where
Nav had disappeared. My! that was
a narrow shaver as a huge log just
grazed him. There she comes! can
see her long hair. Hurrah, he's got
| her-hurrahr' And the pent-up feel
ings of the crowd found vent in a loud
shout. as Arthur carefully deposited his
precious charge on the bank
rs he your son?" said Mrs. Dacie' s
rough auestioner ''If he is, | give you
ioy of him. He's a brave fellow.
That's his sweetheart, spose?"
Mrs. Dacie made no answer, but
stepped back, out of sight, behind the
women who were trying to restore the
lifeless girl to consciousness.
All her life she had called and be-
| lieyed herself a Christian woman; but
| if at that moment there was anything
like a PRAYER in that angry heart, it was
that the pitiless torrent might have
beaten every spark of life from out that
fragile form.
There was a stir in the little group.
"She's alive, Mr. Arthur" said ont
| of the women, turning to the young
man, who stood near eagerly watching
them, and careless of the blood oozinG
from wound near his temple. ''She''
| come to-
Mays eyes slowly opened, and wan
| dering over the group around her, flxet
| shemselves at last on his pale anxiou:
| face with q troubled look, as though she
were trying to recall something, ano
she beckoned him towards her.
| Arthur" she whispered feebly, 81
have been face to face with power
mightier than my pride, and it has con
quered me. My first act shall be to un.
say the lie l told you'll do love you.
Arthur knelt beside her, and careless
| of the wondering crowd, kissed he
pale cheek again and again.
Mrs. Dacie burst through the LITTLE
group like a flame
Get up, shameless boyr she SAID
sternly, land come homer'
Arthur frightened his grasp on May
| half lifeless form.
Come homer' she reiterated. .'Tht
blood of the Dacies can never mingl'
with that that flows in her veins.
The young mans eyes flashed ant
the veins stood out on his forehead.
Mother" he said hoarsely, Ma,
Luner is my betrothed bride, and it vii
not be safe, even for you, to repeat sucl
words in my presence.
Mrs. Dacie regarded him for a mo
ment with look in which anger anC
affection were strangely blended anC
then, going on the other side of May
seized her by the arm, and shook her
Speak, she exclaimed. Creature
scum! whatever low-born things lik'
you may be called! Silencer' as SOM
of the crowd cried ..Shamer' ..Wer,
she dead, she should answer me. How
dare you love my son? How dare yol
draw your miserable breath, to com,
between my son and me? Why did yol
not perish in yonder stream, rather thar
drag my son down from his high posi-
ton? You, whose daily bread wa
earned as a servant in my house!
wonder my look does not Kill you"
May raised her head proudly.
| Mrs. Dacie, an hour ago, the dreat
of hearing some such words from you
made me false to Arthur and myself
But death staring me close in the fac
taught me another and a different les
son. Your son loves me, as l do him
with deathless love. 1t has conquere,
my pride, which had some show Q
reason, since it took the form of sell
respect; and it is no more than just tina
your insane and impious arroganc
should serve as another trophy of Love
| Victory