The record-union., 1897-11-27
A ROMANCE OF LA HARE.
CWritten for the Record Union by
Len)

(Written for the Record Union by
Len.)
The small store that faced the gar
in town on the Blue La Hare was
closed.
Business was not brisk. The eIrand
boy had been discharged and the pack
ages of dainty, fashionable hats and
bonnets were taken to the patrons by
the proprietor herself.
She was young. just twenty-five, with
brown hair and big brown eyes. By
birth a Bostonian. She had drifted to
the provinces to earn a living for her
self and mother, whose loss she was
mourning.
Bridgewater was a gay little town,
with large lumber mills that gave en-
ploynent to many families, and at
tracted many ships from foreign coun-
tries to load deals for European mar
kets. Lawyers and doctors were thick
as clover" Merchants We're many;
ministers of five churches had work
in plenty, and handsome homes lent all
air of prosperity to the thriving town.
Rita Leonard, the little milliner. had
made many friends; her frank, pleas
ant manner had attracted them, and
her taste and refinement won many pa
irons to her store.
The winter had been unasually cold,
and the ice had enchadned the blue
river that flowed past the town.
The big mills We're silent, and the
crews getting ready to raft logs down
with the spring tides. The ice was
rot flaa,. oh he
current was hurrying to dislodge it
from the banks and carry it seaward.
There was a fine bridge across the
river at the upper end of town, but
on either side in winter the people
crossed on the ice
On the evening in question Rita had
been down the river a mile or two to
deliver a pretty hat for a prospective
bride, so she crossed, as was her Gus
tom, on the ice
The wind blew a gale down stream.
The banks on either side, confning the
gusts, seemed to render it more force
full. Fearlessly Rita walked for a little
distance. When some distance from
the shore the ice parted and she found
herself drifting with the tide perfectly
helpless to save herself. 1t was dusk,
and the houses on the banks had twink
ling lights, but her cries for help were
hushed by the riotious noise of the
wind and the loud cracking of the ice
bridge as it broke up.
On, on, with the tide, with only an
ice cake between her and the water.
she looked despairingly through the
dark, but no help was near, save the
one that neither slumbers or sleeps, and
her piteous prayers seemed unheeded.
The brig Ora was making port The
owners had sent notice to their last
harbor that the ice was breaking, and
by the time they crossed the ocean the
La Hare would be open. The Captain
was on deck, knowing the river mouth
was near, and watching for stray ice
that meant damage to the staunch
craft. In lull of the wind he heard
faint cry. He listened Surely it was
a human voice, and no sea bird The
ship was brought to and the crew
brought lights as they answered the
cry. Soon they discovered the ice raft
with its solitary passenger.
Strong, willing hands soon effected a
rescue, and the almost fainting girl
was brought on board
Not till the next day, when the tug
brought the Ora to her anchorage, was
the accident and rescue known. and
Ritas small store was quite filled with
congratulating friends.
Captain Sprague came in for a share
OF glory though he modestly disclaim-
ed any praise for bravery, but the
sturdy young Captains bright, laugh
ing eyes, and bluff, hearty manner had
already won him a place in Rita's
warm little heart. Had he not saved
her life, and she shuddered at the fate
that might have been hers had he not
been near to save her.
The Ora was loaded, and the Cap
tain sailed away to the Blue Canaries''
unconscious Of the hero worship of his
fair deyotee. The year was nearly over
ana again into port at La Hare sailed
the bonny brig with snowy sails, and
glossy paint, for the Captain was
proud and fond of his ocean home.
Rfta's foolish little heart was futter.
ing SO that her deft fingers were ac-
tually bungling over the pretty hat she
was trimming. The crimson of the felt
seemed reflected in her cheeks Every
girl in town knew the gallant Captain,
and so bright eyes and ready smiles
were ready to greet him. While each
one had dropped into the store to an
nounce the fact, Independent of the lit