Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-01-20

full of wrath AMI bitterness against you,
who had never injured me-"
"Hark!" exclaimed Patty, and, STILL
inc the very beating of their hearts. the
two women listened breathlessly. Once
more-aboye the dash, and the gurgle,
and the grinding and cracking aud thun-
dering-came that faint, shrill sound.
Patty sprang to the window and threw
it wide.
"Saved. savedl They see US. They
have boats-they are coming. On your
knees-on your knees say, and thank
God for His mercy" And there, in
the outpourlng OF that solemn thanks
irving, old prejudices melted away, old
grievances were forgotten, and, clinSIng
together, the women watched as with
one heart and soul, the frail boat strug-
Cling TO their rescue through huge float
ING masses that hundred times would
have crushed it into atoms had 1t not
been for the skill and nerve Of those
who guided her.
But when, after an agony OF suspense
that seemed lifetime, they were at last
within hearing distance of the anxious
was it possible to transfer the women TO
the boat2 To arrest the progress of the
building drifting with that mad current
was, of course, not to be thought OF; to
fasten the boat and let it drift, even for
a moment, at the mercy of floating ice.
equally impract:cable. Precious mo-
ments were being wasted in discussion,
when with one bold stroke George
brought the boat close under the window
at which the women stood. Jump"
he shouted. cit is your Only chance"
"Jump" echoed Patty, pushing
Rachel forward. "Be quick-the boat
is swinging round already"
| Rachel glanced fearfully out on the
dark heaving mass of water and shrank
back.
"No; do you 60 first. If a life is
to be lost let it be mine. [ have but a
few years more. What does it mat
! ter?'
| Patty hestated. Argument was use
less with Rachel, whose terror was go
extreme that if left to herself she would
! have persisted in the mill rather than
make the required exertion; and even
the seconds were precious, fraught as
they were with the chances Of life.
"Jump!" shouted George once more.
Patty was little woman, but now she
seized Rachel around the waist and
pushed her through the window as if
she had been child, following herself
with the quickuess of thought. Rachel
fell into her husbands arms-Patty
lighted like bird on one of the benches,
and then what shout went up from
those who had crowded to the
shore and witnessed the scene,
breathless and motionless with
anxiety! Not one word spoke
Rachel Frost in all the toilsome row
homeward-nct syllable of reply did
she vouchsafe to all congratulations of
friends or neighbors; not once did she
open her mouth till fairly within her
own doors. Then she suddenly walked
up to the asronished Patty and dropped
on her knees before her.
"Here, where I have sinned," said
she, solemnly, II ask pardon-of God
first, then of you. For all my injustice
and unreasonable prejudice, you good,
noble, true hearted little woman, for
give me-"
Just fancy how the neighbors, who had
accompanied them home, and the bound
girl stared! and how the story spread
through the village with as many YER
sions as there were narrators. Mrs. Frost
kneeled down and asked the Widow Pat
tvs pardon, and the widow had boxed
her ears. Mrs. Frost had gone on her
knees to the Widow Patty not to marry
her son George, and she had vowed she
would marry HIM in spite of her; Mrs.
Frost had begged the Widow Patty on
her knees, to marry George, and Patty
had said she would die first. Only on
one point were they all clear and unani-
nous; that Mrs. Frost hal kneeled to
Patty. OF another point they were
equally sure week aftervard; that the
Widow Patty had become Mrs. Frost
but it was reserved for the present day
and for your humble servant to give the
true and authentic version Of the feud of
the Cap and Rlnglets. New York Mer-
curry.