The Press., 1892-01-28

concluded that it would be good way to show how little l was embarrassed by turning twice around on my heel, 8 movement on which I greatly prided myself. After that I don't remember now-it was so long ago-what new capers cut. But one thing is very cer- tain. was soon hunting for something I pretended to have lost in the grass be- side the fence.
 f bssIf it's your knife you've lost, I heard a little voice say, 'tit isn't there. l picked up 8 knife there week ago, but it was all rusty and no good"
 sOh, never mind," I said, looking up into two eyes away back in Q sunbonnet, ssit wasn't much of knife anyway, and Eve gotanother.
 .'Are you one of the boys at the 'schooi9'
 'Yes." .aE
 What reader are you inT
 ''The Fourth"
 Do you study geography"
 "Yes."
 < .Whats the capital of the United States?"
 I scratched my head.
 T don't remember that" admitted reluctantly. ''I'ln first rate on capitals, but can't recollect that one."
 "Why didn't you go off with the boys2"
 ..Iwas behind with my sums. I ex- pect they've gone to the river. I like the woods pretty well, they're full ot squirrels"
 s.And snakes she added.
 "Tm not afraid of snakes"
 And lizards"
 'sNor lizards. suppose you're afraid to go there."
 .No, I'm not"
 "If you want to go there now, and are afraid, I don't mind going along, just te keep off snakes and things"
 She looked wistfully out at the wood. I can see her now leaning on her mallet deliberating- such process can be called deliberation where the conclusion is predeter.nined-th the straight, 1.-the fig. ure poised between the mallet and one foot, one little leg crossed on the other peering out Rt the forest Suddenly without any warning, she dropped the
 
 We were not long in crossing the tiele and were walking in the dense shade when she stopped. and looking at ms with her expressive eyes said:
 How still it is in herei It seems t. me Ican almost hear it be still" ssYes, it is pretty solemn," replied s-Let's go on. the river winds around down there and we can see the water g. over the dam"
 I heard a.distant voice calling "Julia.; It was very faint; she did not hear it; stood moment hesitating.
 Come, let's go," said, starting for ward.
 "Julia," heard again, more faintly than before.
 I hurried her on, fearing she would hear the voice and turn back.
 Presently we emerged from the wood and stood by. the river. was familiar with the ground. and led my little friend s, directly to the dam. a Most of the boys are afraid to wall out on that dam" said.
 .sTd be afraid" k "But you're only girl; boy ought . mt to be afraid" With that I started boldly out, occasionally standing on ont foot and performing sundry antics tt show wha. a brave. boy was. Then came part way back and called to her to come.
 , ''Oh. no" sIis said; ''Pm afraid"
 'tAfraid! Yon little goosel with me to hold on toy'
 Betwixt her fear and a disposition pliable to a boy older and stronger than herself, it was not long before was leading her out on the dan
 Don't you see it's nothing?' said.
 She shrank back asI led her along. determined tbat she should go to a point where the water poured over portion of the dam lower than the rest. Iturned my back to step ID on the post. It was but a moment. Iheard 2 cry. and saw Julia in the flood. The expression that was in her eyes is to this day stamped clearly on my memory-an expression of mingled reproach and forgiveness.
 Iconld scarcely swimR dozen strokes, but not a second had elapsed before was in the flood. x IswaIn and struggled and buffeted to reach her; all in vain. An eddy whirled me in a different direction. My strength was sooh exhausted. Twas borne down the river. sinking and rising, till came to place where caught a glimpse as l came to the surface of a man running along some blanks extending into the river and raised above the water on posts My feet became entangled in weeds. sank Iheard great roaring insmy ears, then oblivion.
 : When came to Twas lying on my back. I remember the first thing saw was . light cloHd sailing over the clear blue. There was an air of quiet and peace in it that c0ptFasted with my 0wp sensations. Then saw & man on his knees beside something he was rubbing. I turRed my head aside and saw 1t was 2 little figure;s girl. Julia. She was cold and stark.
 My agony was far greater than when had plunged after her into the stream. ThenI hoped and believed that if she were drowned would be also. Now | saw her beside me lifeless, and lived.
 Then. some men came. and the man who was rubbing Julia said to them, sTake care of the boy; the girl is too far gone" They took me up and carried me away and laid me for awhile on a bed in strange house. Then was driven to the school.
 The next day my father. came and took me home. Twas ill after that, too ill to ask about Julia, but when re- covered what load was taken from my mind to know that by dint of rubbing and rolling and g stimulant she had