Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-02-10

SCcduy anu even was INC mOClOn OF the
floats as they moved slowly up stream
that only those who were leaning on
the ratings and were looking down at
the reflection of the colored lanterns
could detect it. Stamford. thought the
whole affair so picturesque that during
one of the dances he stood alone at the
end of one of the floats, and watched
all that was going on before him
why aren't you dancing?" some ono
asked, while passing him.
He turned and saw Miss Colyon
promenading with her partner.
II shall dance in a moment" he re-
piled, and then admired her grace and
beauty as she went slowly by. He saw
her start off to waltz again, and he
watched her until she mingled with the
others and became lost to his view.
Many couples were dancing, some were
promenading, and few were leaning
lightly against the ratings, and all
seemed to be full of pleasure, mirth,
and happiness. Stamford was senioy-
ing, being a silent spectator of it all.
Suddenly he and all on board were
startled by crash. The next moment
a sheet Of flames arose from the barge,
where the musicians were One of the
large lamps had fallen, broken, and
now the fame had caught the oil
spilled over the floor. The musicians
fled to the large barges, but in doing
so one of them struck one of the other
lamps and knocked it down, and now
its contents were added to all that was
burning Many of the young men did
what they could to try to beat out the
flames, but all their efforts were in
vain, for the flames rose higher and
higher, and were blown angrily by the
breeze on the river. A number of the
girls tainted when they first saw the
flames, others swooned after the sec
ond lamp had fallen, and they lay like
corpses, terrifying those who stumbled
over them as they hurried to the far
ends of the floats, ready to jump into
the river. No boats had been brought
along, for no one had dreamed of there
being any danger. The shores were
half mile away, and the river was
some fifteen feet deep. The situation
began to look dangerous
Stamford alone had kept his post,
and with perfect GOODNESS watched ev-
o. ShAhB bhoO w ID SOAhB Oh. LIOoOhCAy
some one caught his hand, placed a
trembling hand upon his shoulder, and
looked up through her tears into his
face.
Wont you let me die with you?"
you mustn't be frightened" he said,
looking down at her for moment.
'We are not going to die"
Then he Strengthened up and raised
his voice: Cut away the ropes and re-
verse the engine"
The voice brought all tho men to
their senses, and everything became
quiet; then, when the ropes TO the small
his engine. The launch, with the two
large floats, drew back, increasing at
every moment the space between it and
the small float which was soon drifting
by itself on the river.
You would better land US as quickly
as possible" Stamford said to the cap
tain, for many on board are still dan
gerously nervous"
A large crowd was collected On the
shore by the time the party landed,
but this dispersed shortly after the
pleasure-seekers had gone to their
homes. Miss Colyon went at once to
her room. Like all who had been on
the party she knew that she owed a
great deal to Stamford, and felt as al
did that his cool head and good iEap.-
ment, showing themselves at sXEh an
Opportune time, when life<seemed to
be in danger from all Sides, were de-
serving of the highest esteem. But
only Miss ColyCn knew how much he
waste be admired, for she alone knew of
the KINDNESS he had shown by attribut-
ing what she had said to him to her
fear and excitement of the moment,
rather than to any personal feeling for
him. Yet she felt that he surely must
know what had caused her to wish to
die with him. She sat at her open
window until midnight, trying to
drown her unhappiness in her tears,
but later, while the long hours moved
slowly away, she told all that she felt
to the darkness and her pillow.
The next day she did not appear,
saying to Dorothy that she had not vet
recovered from the fright and the
nervous excitement of the night be-
fore. Then she told Dorothy that she
must return home on the following
day. When she came down to break
fast on the morning of her departure,
she was pale and quiet, and her manner
was cold and reserved.
When Miss Colyon had returned to
her home in Virginia, Stamford
thought of her more than ever, and
was contented and happy only when
&o1 - IL
When he realized that In all probable
ity he would never see her again, he
decided that the sooner he went back
TO his home in the north the sooner
would he forget her, for his cousins
spoke Of her frequently, and every
thing seemed to call her back to his
memory. One evening, while he and
his cousins were out driving, and were
talking about Miss Colyon, Dorothy
told him what a beautiful and old
fashioned home Miss Colyon had; that
1t had been in the family for genera
lions, and that it was on the bank of a
broad river not far from where a pros
porous town had lately grown. and
that the people all around there adj
mlred the old home and enjoyed show.
ing their tondness and respect for the
owners.
And, dear" she added. after 81
lence, "she liked you SO much"
How do you know she didp"
Il could tell by the way she acteC
when you were around; and then tn,
many little things she said about vo,
nights when we were alone togethe
seemed to verify so plainly everythin,
she did. Aud she is such lovely girl
dear. l don't see how you, seeing a
much of her as you did, could keep from
liking her"
81 do like her, Dorothy"
But you don't like her enough, dear
I'm afraid you don't like her near a
much as she likes you You don't seer
to care for her."
why, yes do, Dot hope she vii
J always be happy, and-an that sort O
thing"
And all that sort of thingI Well, /
) you only knewi it you are just as stupi