The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-17
ONLY A COWBOY.

Nina Leighton had gone to teach school
In the west. Ward Cameron, Harvard
graduate, had sesn her and had formed
the crazy idea of passing himself of as an
unoouth cowboy and going to school to
her.
He assumed the role with great success,
and though he seemed the greatest possible
idiot in matters Of book learning yet In
the months that followed Nina found that
her heart was no longer her own. Here is
letter which Cameron wrote to his old
chum, Ross Raymond:
II have just passed through an expert
enoe that / would not have repeated for
the half Of my fortune, an experience
which nearly cost my darling Nina--don't
laugh, OLD fellow, for it came to that long
ago-her life. Early this morning mount
ed Victor and started for hunt, intend,
ing TO be ont all day. Soon after noon
became aware that a storm was brewing
and Immediately turned my steed's head
homeward.
~ had proceeded only short distance
when was compelled to seek shelter be-
meath the thick foliage of gigantic oak.
There ] sat for three long hours, watching
with interest the pouring rain. At last
rode along through the Forest directing
my course toward the high road, that the
freshet had forced the creek, which in dry
weather is a mere rivulet, far beyond its
banks
"Suddenly there came, louder than the
torrents roar, the sound of crashing tim
bers, mingled with cry of distress. Urg-
ing Victor on, / soon witnessed scene
that seemed to freeze the very blood in my
veins.
1.-THE rushing waters had forced the
bridge that spanned the creek from its
hold and borne it away upon the rapid
current, and, Ross, imagine, IL you can,
my feelings-but no, that would be i'm
possible--whcn saw Nina Leighton stand
ing upon 1t
Fortunately my weekly explorations
of that locality in search of game had &C
quainted me with my surroundings. which,
together with the discovery that the rail
ing on one side of the bridge had been bro
ken off, leaving a single post standing, en-.
abled me to quickly determine upon
course of action.
AS the bridge passed me, shouted:
"'Courage, Ninal Cling TO the railing
that remains, aud will save you ut the
bend
speed of deer my noble Victor bounded
along the bank, leaping over fallen trees
and bitches. With joy found upon near
ing the bend that my side of the creek was
almost clear of trees, also that the cur
rents strength was spent against the OPP
posite bank.
"Victor had won the race. Soon, how
ever, the bridge, with the slender form OF
poor Nina standing like a statue upon II
her face the hue of death, her eyes riyeted
upon me, swept by.
Il will catch the post with my lasso
and gallop along with you to the bend
and be ready to draw the bridge ashore
Brace yourself firmly called.
with whizziug sound my lariat cut
the air and settled around the post. Al
we approached the beud | spurred Victor
forward, then, wheeling him suddenly e.
the right of "A large tree brought him back
on his launches The noble fellow grand
ly sustained the trinl of his strength as
stronger and stronger came the strain on
the lariat, until the headong course d
the frsil raft was entirely checked Aftcl
grounding II and securing the lasso, sool
had the unconscious form of Nina Leigh.
ton safe in my arms"
The rays Of the setting sun fell upon Nj.
ma, seated near the parlor window, think.
ing of the terrible experience she had pass
ed through that afternoon and of the man
who had saved her life, rememb herring, with
a thrill Ut pleasure, how his awkwardnese
had vanished in his unconscious devotion
to her.
"No," she reflected, AZ will not rebei
against fate. Today be saved my life, and
Il love himn'
But who WAS the elegant and we'll dress,
ed stranger she saw coming up the path
There was something strangely familiar
to her In his appearance, yeti could not
bel All, but it was For in II moment her
hands were elasped in those OF the visitor
and she was gazing into the roguish face
OF Ward Cameron.
"And how Is my little teacher after her
unpleasant advcntUre>" he mischievously
asked, smiling down upon her
Unable to bear the quiAIical expression
Of those dark eyes and the rush Of memo
ries Wards questions brought her, she
covered her face with her hands as she fall
tered;
"Then you are not an ignorant cowboy
after all2n
well, no, not exactly, since l am a
graduate of old Harvard" replied Ward
coolly. Miss eighton-Nina, he ear
nestly continued MS he knclt at her side
and drew the hands from her blushing
face, II plead your pardon for my wicked
deception. Hearing 1auch praise of the
little teacher from my Aunt Helen, mas
queraded as did through pure love of
fun
"For shame, sir" pouted Nina, with
burning cheeks Think of my patient
endeavors to educate a Harvard gradu-
ate"
Sweetheart, have learned lesson so
dangerously fascinating that cannot I'M
learn it. And, now" dropping the i'm
prisoned hands and drawing the girlish
form toward him, 'sinco you have taught
the ignorant cowboy to love you, will you
not be his wife,
"Iou saved my life today, Ward; it is
yours, " she whispered as she TREMENDOUSLY
turned to meet her lovers kiss.-New York
journal.
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