The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-12-19

nOtlced an ola cnurcn mousse Win u
little neglected cemetery on the other
side. hmm diately strong desire to
visit the rustic spot seized her. and
she began to cast about for a way to
cross the river. At point few
yards above, the stream was quite mar
row, and long log had been made to
do service as foot bridge. Jean dis
covered this and attempted to cross.
and sucrrrticd IN rgachfng riie mfddte'
OF the stream, when the log began to
sway TO and fro, filing her with alarm
and fear.
With a sharp scream she threw up
her hands and attempted to turn back.
when she lost her balance and pitched
down into the deep water below.
Scarcely had she struck when some
one came tumbling down the steep
bank and, plunging boldly into the
water, caught her fast and without a
word swan ashore. The rescue had
been 50. quick that the girl had re-
ceived no injuries and in q moment
was able to speak.
They had landed on a narrow ledge
OF stone that jutted out at the waters
edge andabarely afforded standing
room for them both. Above them was
an. embankment several feet high, per-
fectly perpendicular, while on the
other side was. the. river, and beyond
that the opposite bank equally as steep
as the one by which they stood. For a
little while they stood in silence and
then jean spoke
This is dreadful mess / have
made" she said, laughing in spite of
her efforts to appear sadly distressed.
at might have been very serious, y
her companion replied, 'if no one had
been near when you fell. The water
is quite deep there, and as you can see
it is a long way down stream to point
where it is possible to climb the hill,
even when one reaches the shore"
a am truly thankful for your time
ly arrival, COR suppose should have
been drowned. -
As Jean spoke she looked up into
her companions face. He was tall,
well-built man of perhaps twenty-five,
rudy and rustic in appearances, yet
apparently possessed Of an ease and
grace not common to country people.
His face. though tanned and brown.
showed his generous nature, and the
twinkling gray eyes spoke unmistak-
ably OF good humor and lively dis
position.
well. Miss So he began, and
halted.
"Mastin." Jean suggested.
"Well, Miss Mastin," he wento on,
"we must rescue ourselves from this
position somehow. Ihardly know how
it is to be done, but since we can not
remain here, and as it not probable
that any one will pass this way soon,
we must attempt it in some way"
~ don't know. how we are to get
out" said Jean.
"Theresis but one'way. You arenot
afraid Of the water. l see, so if you
are willing ito trust me. ! can swim
and float with the current to that lit
tie patch of bottom. down there. and
assist you in safely reaching it. Shall
we try itP"
do you think it quite safep"
Perfectly
Then I am ready to attempt it.
Placing one arm about her he lifted
her into the water, and holding her
SO, iloated with the current and landed
safely at the point he had in view,
II owe you. thousand thanks, !
Jean said. when they stood upon the
bank, 81 am truly sorry to have caused
you so much trouble and inconveni-
ence"
Don't mention it, !" he replied. 'for
| it has been pleasure to me.~s-De you
think you can reach home on foot, or
do you feel too much exhausted for the
Journey"
"Oh. l shall walk back easily
enough; thanks.
| ..As my road lies in the same direc-
tion Of yours, il you do not object,
twill bear you company a part Of the
way. ~
Il certainly have no reason to. OBJ
ject"
They walked on quite leisurely, fol
though they were thoroughly drenched
\ they felt none the worse for it in the
warm sunshine.
You have not told me to whom
am indebted for SO great service.
Jean said. when they we're parting.
If you feel that you are indebted te
any body. you may give the credit to
Lem Melton"
With that he touched his hat ant
walked away.
..Oh. dear! dear!' Clarissa cried
when Jean came in. ''what in the
world have you been up to nowp Whai
have you doneP"
Nothing; only fell in the river"
LAS it that was not perfectly awful
How did it happenp"
Jean told the whole story, including
her rescue, and wound up by giving |
glowing description OF her rescuer
Clarissa listened with a horror-stricker
face. and neither she nor Jean noticed
tho peculiar smile and the satisfied
look that came over Aunt Marthal
face
II am truly mortified. Jean,
Clarissa protested, that such thing
should happen to us. I do wish yol
could act a little more like sensible
girl. and II we must stay in this out
landish place, not go to tomboyini
about the woods like wild thing
The idea Of being unused around ther1
] In the river BY that great roug b