Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-07-14

light, one end leaped out at me.
Well thrown! The embroidered
fringe fell across the branches and
over my wrist. Quick as thought I
had quilted my useless clutch on the
yielding twigs, and with convulsive
leap in the water had got double
turn of the scarf about my wrist.
Of course l went under, but with
mind fully made up upon two
points-that thing but death
should tear me from my hold upon
that scarf-of course not!-and that
if ever | was to be pulled out alive
Tyncker should come too.
I don't know how long l held my
breath-an age, I fancy, and then a
rush of fire swept across my vision.
was gone-it struck me forcibly-
burning, exhilarating sensation in
my throat, and the sound of a voice
spesking, as it seemed, many miles
away.
The voice drew close to me at a
bound, and opening my eyes I saw
come one STOPPING over me, brandy
flask in hand and an expression of
horror on his face. That expression
instantly vanished as he caught my
gaze.
"This one is all right, Kitty; he is
coming round fast. Here, take the
flask and give Tyncker some more
brandy Cheer up; he will be all
right in minute"
Some suspicious sounds in my i'm.
mediate neighborhood caused me to
turn my head feebly in the direction
whence they were proceeding, and
then l knew everything.
OF course! We had been in the
river and had been pulled out again
For here, on his back, even ss l lay
on mine, lay Mr.. Bob Tyncker, and
on her knees beside him, bending
low over his face, was Miss Kitty
Dobson. And the golden scarf
sadly changed for the worse-lay
midway between US.
One glance was sufficient to assure
me that Mr.. Bah Tyncker was near
ly as far advanced on the road to re-
covery as I was myself, and that
Miss Kitty held most exalted opin-
ion Of his late exploit. They made
pretty picture.
But the old gentleman's face grew
cloudy as he looked at it. He leaned
over me in irritated silence, brandy
flask in hand, and l thought it was
time to speak.
allow are you, Dobson?' / said,
with faint smile. / am afraid you
don't recognize me in this draggled
condition, butt
"Why, so it 81" exclaimed the old
gentleman. ats Mildenhalll Why,
how do you come to be down here
say" he continued in a sort OF
stage whisper, and with a troubled
look at the others, 81 am very glad
you have come. Pm half afraid, as
it is, you are too late
"Too late for what2n l asked, try
ing to sit up and presently succeed
ing.
"Why, that" he whispered testify,
and nodding his head in disturbed
way in the direction of the young
people, Man, don't you recollect
that you were to have the first say
in that sort OF thing ?"
$50 l was" I rejoined, "and | will
speak to Kitty at once"
"Goodin said Mr.. Dobson, looking
much relieved at my alacrity and
calling the young lady. Come here,
Kitty; this gentleman here wants to
speak to you. Mr.. Mildenhall, Kit
ty," he explained grimly.
1t was very limp hand that ]
managed to get hold OF and shake as
heartily as | could.
"You see that / have lost no time
in coming down to see you, Kitty
l said, holding her hand the while
and thinking it best to plunge al
once in medals res. aYou reach the
age Of 90 to-day, don't YOUR
YES" said poor Kitty family ,ano
trying feebly to get her hand away
but / still held ON. @There is some
ting in a certain will which concerns
you and me. | want TO talk to 20,
about it,"
"Yes?' whispered poor MlssKitty
still more family and with anotheI
feeble and futile attempt to draw he
hand from mine. 3Would not som,
| othar time xphan vnu a~a H. ~