Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-04-01

log seems to be sinking in. But I've
got tight hold of a young birch tree"
Naomi sprang to the rescue. Eda had
already set her feet upon the doomed
spot. In another moment the rescuer
would have been too late.
With strength at which she herself
afterward marveled, Naomi seized Eda
around the waist and lifted her out of the
morass.
'sDo you know" she gasped, "that
you have been standing face to face with
death? Do you know that you have
wandered out of the road into the Shak-
ing Bogs?'
Eda's face, in the glimmer of the lamp
light, was very white.
And you have saved me-" she ex-
claimed. ''Oh, how can l ever find
words to thank you?"
Never mind that now" said Naomi,
in the old, brusque way. "Let Us make
haste back to Skene's Corners. Its
showing faster every moment, and your
feet are wet in that awful mOrass. Look.
Here's where you missed the right road.
OF course you couldn't be expected to
know that this old track was closed up
long ago, and / didn't remember to tell
you. There are the lights of Skene's
Corners now. Can you see them glistcn.
ing through the snow furries!"
But you are coming with me-"
"No. / must hurry back to granny.
But'-she hesitated and flushed deeply
-ssyou will kiss me just once to-show
-that--we are friends?'
By way of answer, Eda flung both her
arms around Naomi Poles neck aud
showered score Of fragrant kisses on
her cheeks, lips and brow.
''Friends," she cried, passionately,
''forev err" Aa
"It's high time you were here, Naomi"
petulantly uttered old Granny Pole,
s:when here has John Classon been a.
settin' half an hour before the fire,
waitin' for you to come back!"
John Classon colored a little as he held
out his broad, sunbrowned hand to
| Naomi.
you see," said he, "Dave came over
to our house to see my Cousin Hessie,
and-and thought it would be a good
chance to tell you what I've wanted to
tell you so long. Can't you guess what
it is, Naomi?"
1t was late when Dave came home.
Grandma Pole had long been abed and
asleep, but Naomi sat before the dying
fire, thinking.
"aullo, Naomi! you up?'' was Dawes
you. I've engaged myself to Hessie
Holt, and if the crops turn out good
next year, my wife shall have as good
piano as Miss Edith Stuart!''
Naomi held out her hand; the impid
black deeps sparkled in her eyes.
''I'm awful glad, Dave" said she.
"Im sorry was so cross with you to-
night; but my heart was so sore. I
thought Miss Stuart had charmed John
| Classon's love away"
s:And hadn't she?"
''He has never thought twice of her,
Dave" spoke up the exultant girl. ''He
cared for me, and me only, and tonight
he asked me to be his wife"
The brother and sister talked late and
| lovingly together, while the clock licked
behind its screen of asparagus anG the
snow built up feathery barbados against
the outside of the window panes; and
when Nioami laid her head on the pillow
her last thought was that Of gratitude
that she had listened to the trumpet
call Of conscience and fastened to Edna
Stuart's rescue.
''For after ALL" pondered Naomi,
'Eshe was no rival of mine, and-and L
think it's likely shall be married before
she is"
And as she repeated her prayers, one
phrase fingered sweetIy in her drifting
+ dreams:
"Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from enthusiastically Night.