The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-01-23
again nc the doomed boat. At that

again nc the doomed boat. At thai
glance q well-known ribbon caught his
attention. The old man dropped his
oars, confused with horror. MY God,
my God, it's Ruth he cried, and the
whole truth came with another look,
for he had not forgotten George Win
throp.
Your father stops, Ruth; | fear he
suffers pain" said George to the quak-
ing girl. She looked back.
What can it be?' she cried, flial
love returning oyermasteringly,
"Mayhap he is but tired George
affected carclessncss, his first til ought
being to secure his bride, and pulled
hard away to get all the vantage from
Bedell's stop.
Tired! lie is in danger of the falls,
then!' screamed Ruth. Stop! Turn!
Back to him.
Winthrop instantly prepared to
obey. YES, darling,' he said, 1--WE
must not think of ourselves. We must
90 back to save him!' Yet his was a
sore groan at turning; what duty Of
fered was so hard-ho must give up
his love for the sake of the enemy!
But while Winthrop was still pulling
round, the old loyalist resumed rowing
with a more rapid stroke that 500
Drought him alongside,
In those moments of waiting all Be-
dell's life-days, his personal hatreds.
his loves, his sorrows, had been re-
vowed before his soul. He had seen
again his sons, the slain in battle, in the
pride of their young might; and the
gentle eyes Of Ruth had pleaded with
him beneath his dead wifc's brow.
How poor seemed hate-how mean and
poor seemed all but love and loyalty!
Yes, for she had looked through the
veil into the eternal, too, and stood, a
trivial creature, before the Almighty,
knowing His meaning. Wherefore
resolution and deep peace had come
upon the man.
They wondered at this look, No
wrath was there. The old eyes were
and loving, a gentle smile flick
red about his lips. Only that he was
:ery pale Ruth would have been wholly
glad for the happy change.
''Forgiye me. fathcr!' she said, as
he laid her hond on his boat.
Il do, my child,' he answered.
Come now without an instant's delay
0 me
"Oh, father, if you would let lis be
lappy,' cried Ruth, heart-torn by two
Dear, You shall be happy. 1w'
wrong. child; | did not undcrstu~ uow
'ou loved him. But come, You hest
ate! Winthrop, my son, You are in
:ome danger, Into this boat instantly!
Both of you! Take the oars, George,
me dear, my Ruth, once more.
Goodbye, my little girl. Winthrop,
good to her. And may God bless
'ou both ~foreycr,'
As the old soldier spoke he stepped
nto the larger boat, instantly releasing
he skitf. His imperative gentleness
lad secured his object without lost
inc, and the boats were apart with
N%inthrop's readiness to pull.
Now row! Row for her life to yon-
Ter shore! Bow well up! Away, or
he falls will have her"
'But you?' cried Winthrop, bending
or his stroke. Yet he did not compre-
lend Bedell's meaning. Till the last
he old man had spoken without excite
nent. Dread of the river was not on
his bliss was supreme in his
bought, and he took the Squire's order
or one of exaggerated alarm. ;
Row, | say, with all your strength s
ried Bedell, with a flash of anger that {
cnt the. young fellow away instantly. ,
Row! Concern yourself not for me. {
am going home. Row for her life, !
'inthropi God will deliver you yet, {
Goodbye, children. Remember always t
~ blessing is freely given you"
God bless and keep you forever, t
cried Ruth from the distance, t
S her lover pulled away, ,
They landed, conscious of having 3
assed a swift current, indeed, but q
ute unthinking Of the price paid for i
leir safety. Ii
Looking back on the darkling river {
ley saw nothing of the old man.
poor tather,' sighed Ruth, chow
nd he was. I'm sorc-hcarted for -
of him at home, so lonely" "
Left alone, Bedell stretched with his
ng, heavy oars for his own shore, u
aking appearance of strong exertion. Il
ut when he no longer feared that they 9,
ight Turn back with sudden under l.
and vainly, to his aid, he q
the boat slowly, watching her I,
nit drift downtown towards the f.
mist. Then. as he gazed at q.
e cloud, rising in two distinct vol fl
nea, came a thought squirting the tv
'y'list spirit in an instant. There sb
ter he pulled steadily, powerfully, w
ting landmarks ~anxiously, studying ca
considering always their W
to or from his shore. Haitian sr
ur had gone when he again dropped hi
o slower motion. Then he could y,
} Goat Islands upper end between +,
and the mist Of the Amnrican 49,