Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-03-12

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 went under, but with a
mind fully made up upon two points
that nothing but death should tear
me from my hold upon that scarf, of
course not! and that if ever I was to
be pulled out alive Tyncker should
come too.
don't know how long I held my
breath-an age, I fancy, and then
rush Of fire swept across my vision.
I was gone-it struck me forcibly-a
burning, exhilarating sensation in my
throat, and the sound of voice
speaking, as it seemed, many miles
away.
The voice drew close to me at
bound, and opening my eyes, saw
some 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. 'sThis 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 a 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 I knew everything.
Of course! We had been in the river
and had been pulled out again! For
there, on his back, even as 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.. Bob Tyncker was nearly
as far advanced on the road of re-
covery as I was myself, and that Miss
Kitty held most exalted opinion 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 Initiated silence, brandy
flask in hand, and I thought it was
time to speak.
elbow are you, Dobson?" I said,
with faint smile. II am afraid you
don't recognize me in this draggled
condition, butt
'sWhy, so it isl" exclaimed the old
gentleman. 'It's Mildenhall! 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, II am very glad you have
come. Pm half afraid, as it is, you
are too late"
"Too late for what?" l asked, try
ing to sit up and presently succeed
ing.
"Why that!" he whispered, testify,
and nodding his head in a 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 I was,'' rejoined, ''and I will
speak to Kitty at once.'
"Goodp' said Mr.. Dobson, looking
much relieved at my alacrity and call
ing the young lady. "Come here,
Kitty; this gentleman here wants to
speak to you. Mr.. Mildenhall, Kitty"
he explained grimly.
It was very limp hand that man
aged to get hold and shake as hearth
ly as could.
'You see that I have lost no time in
coming down to see you, Kitty" L
said, holding her hand the while, and
thinking it best to plunge at once in
mediasres. "You reach the age Of 20
to-day, don't your"
eyes," said poor Kitty family, and
trying feebly to get her hand away,
but I still held on. 'There is some
thing in a certain will which concerns
you and me- want to talk to you
about it,"
"Yes?" whispered poor Miss Kitty,
still more family and with another
feeble and futile attempt to draw her
hand from mine. "Would not some
other time-when you are dry?"
"No, my DEAR" said. II would
rather do it now You are a very
pretty girl and brave and clever
one, and you have just saved my life
with your scarf, as I realize very
plainly, so that you will always hold
a very dear place in my heart.
"And SO [ came to the conclusiOn''
I couldn't help pausing a moment