The Columbus journal., 1889-03-06

Nov 10 moce-bue ahsssk thus
Csnp whaeonbRsH
FOR LIFE AND LOVE.
Harriet Gelder was the moss provok-
ing, pretty and altogether charming LITTLE
coquette that ever drove . devoted lover
distracted with her capricious wayA
EIorian CORTLAND vas handsome and
winning enough to have enslaved some
other woman, but his heart was bound
mp in the brunette beauty. who daily
destroyed his peace. She loved him for
al that, but he tried In vain to make her
confess It.
II wa in the ~springtime Of the year,
and It had rained necessarily for two
weeks. Harriet resided with her aunt,
Miss Hannah Linwood, in Thornway,
about eight miles away from where
Eorian lived Naturally, the impatient
lover longed for fair weather, but -
there was no immediate prospect OF Q
cessation OF the rain one Sunday morning
he resolved to set the weather at def
ance, and accordingly sent for his horse
and prepared for his stormy ride.
II he had been bound for any other
destination, he would have turned back
before going . mile, a. theroad appeared
to grow worse every step. and his horse
plodded through the mud, stumbling
frequently in the many ruts and pitfalls.
After travelling for what seemed to him
to be hours, he reached the bridge which
spanned the little river, two miles from
Thornvay. In the distance he could see
the gray walls Of the Lnwood mansion,
and in his i~mpatience he was about to
spur ais horse to q gallop, when he
noticed that the land at a little distance
below the bridge was completely flooded,
the river overlooking. having submerged
it to q wide extent.
A point or knoll of land close upon
the rivers bank formed a little island In
the midst of the whirling food, and upon
this island stood a small wooden house,
which Florian saw was occupied, for q
thin wreath Of smoke ascended from the
chimney. II there were people In the
house their position wa most perilous,
as the water was rising fast and would
soon sweep away the house.
As Florian rode towards the house he
saw a female form approach the win
dow, and a handkerchief was waved Inn
ploringly. Unhesitatingly he rode into
the water, which soon grew deeper.
and his horse was obliged to swim.
Eorian urged him forward, and drawing
near the house, the door was thrown
open and he cried out In surprise, for
there stood Miss Linwood and Harriet
Gelder.
Harriet" cried Florian, "for heavens
sake, how came you herc?'
1--WE came to sec q sick woman" 70
piled Harriet. with prompt GOODNESS.
land the water rose before we"-
''It is rising now, and fast" he inter-
rupted. excitedly, land there is no time
to waste. Ny horse will carry two;
which of you shall I take firstY"
Tho sick woman first" said Harriet,
quietly.
Florian trembled as he looked at the
feeble old woman whom Miss Lnwood
was assisting from her chair to the door,
and whom he had not noticed until
Harriet called his attention to her. He
trembled with the appalling fear that
there would not be time to 60 and return
twice before the swiftly rising waters
should have torn the frail structure from
its foundations, for there was already an
inch of water upon the floor. But he
only cast one glance at Harrietis calm
face and stopped to Lift the sick woman
up before him. Without a word he
turned his horse toward the shore. and
the good beast, with its double burden.
struggled hack through the flood.
They were standing knee deep in water
when he once more approached the al
ready shaking building. He did not
speak a word, but looked silently from
Harriet to her aunt, his white face grow
ing whittier yet as Harriet said, in steady
tones, Aunt Hannah first"
'Harriet"- commenced Miss Lin
wood.
go, Aunt Hannah"
Harriet, I won't"
''You mustv said Harriet, firmly.
Harriet, Harriet for PHYS sake"-
You are delaying her. Miss Hannah"
exclaimed Eorian. hoarsely. Come
she will not yield. II she diesy"
With q groan Miss Linwood gave. up,
and he lifted her upon his horse. The
turbulent waters washed into the room,
and Harriet staggered and chung to the
wall for support Fl0sian's face was
ghastly as he bent forward and placed
his hand upon her shoulder. whispering.
in q choked voice, kiss me, Harriet"
She put her arms around his neck and
kissed him-a long. passionate kiss,
which Was their first and might be their
last.
he strained her to him. saying. "Har-
riet. you do love me?"
"Ycs. Florian."
Then she leaned against the wall
again. as he went. and hid her face, try
ing to shut out the sight of those yellow
waters creeping upthe side of the rooms,
higher and higher with every wave that
rolled in through the door.
As Florian reached the shore q carriage
was approaching in the distance, rocking
from side to side with the furious speed
to which the driver was Eashing the
horses
Its the carriage from Linwood," said
Miss Hannah: I'VE have been afraid of a
freshet and they have taken alarm and
come to look for us"
F1orian did not hear her; he was urg-
ing his exhausted horse into the food
again. The poor beast trembled and
hesitated; but F1orian spurred him
fierceiy on. shifting him with his clinched
fst and shouting ut him In his franfsc
excitement.
When the hurrying carriage reached
tho spot and Niss Inwood,s goodman
leaped to the ground. Foeian vas half
way back to Harriet Mistress and man
stood with pallid faces and hearts that
hardly beat. silently watching the beau
tiful girl ~ she chung to her ftail sup