Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-05-10
FAUSTINE.

hich was true.
 The bright days passed away. and the wind began to blow so furiously that Faustine's father and two elder brothers who were out on the mountain chopping wood could with difficulty get home. As night came on the storm deepened, the thunder rolled the lightning flashed, and the mad waters leaped down the noun tain side in torrent, sometimes catching great trees and tossing them in q pool of white foam for moment and then dash ing them down hundreds of feet in tho chasm below.
 Toward evening the storm abated, and Faustineis father and older brothers went out feeling their way in the darkness to the low shed where the mules were kept.
 Faustine crept out Of doors too. It was go dark that she could scarcely distinguish anything. She had intended going to the shed to see if Bose. her own mule was safe. But she found herself in the road way near the mountain stream. She shud- dered at the fearful scene. It was grow ing lighter every moment, and Fauseine saw just across the stream the wreck Of cabin. She shivered with fright. Whose cabin was itS What had become of the HHl4zsA-L INV 24GA4 AlE szAAE AoHElk AG4&EAA these questions, but there came no answer save the swish of the foaming waters. \ great tree that the storm had uprooted lay directly across the stream, and pillows of white foam were whirling in and out of the branches
 Hark What was that sounds It was more than 2 sob 1t must be . groan of anguish. Whose voice was its From whence did 1t eomes With ono hand pressed co Der wildly beating heart Faust inc listened.
 Ah, there it sounded again-that groan Some one must be in mortal distress FausJinaas heart almost stood still at the dreadful thought that some being was crushed 5H that wrecked cabin across the mountain torrent
 She tried to call her father. but she could not command her voice. She tried again and succeeded.
 Father Oh. father!.a
 But no answer came. the wind carrying her voice in another direction.
 Father. Oh. fatherE''
 Again her voice rang out, bat her fa- tber, shut up in the shed with his boys, feeding and otherwise caring for the frightened mules. did not hear her.
 What was to betone must be done with out delay The child realized that. She was shivering with cold and fearful appre- hension, but her resolve was taken at once.
 There's only one way. l must cross the stream on the fallen tree. she said, and in another moment her little feet were planted firmly en the great tree and her hands were clinging to the branches. To her dismay the wind arose, and it took all her strength to keep her hold as she pursued her dangerous way. The waters leaped over her feet far above her knees 1 great. ugly branch tore her hands and face and drops of blood mingled with the angry waters. Once she lost her foothold and came near being carried away with the stream, but with great struggle she regained it.
 Faustinel Faustine"
 It was her father calling in distress. He did not see her swaying form battling with the branches of the fallen tree.
 Faustine! Faustine! My child, where are you2.'
 She answered, but he did not hear her, and she hurried on as fast as possible. She had reached the wreck at last. The little cabin had struck the tree just before the latter fell. Most of it was crushed, and the remainder of it was resting on it's side, tossing to and fro on the edge of the stream, held only by some old blanks. It would soon be Ioosened and would dash down the rocks.
 Is there any ono inside?'' called Faust inc, for she saw no door anywhere, no windows either.
 A woman s head appeared through a small opening. 4 pale, frightened face looked out.
 Oh, is there DO one but you-a childs" she asked in great distress.
 can help you, 9 answered the brave child. T am locking for the door. ''
 That s the troublei the door in on the ground, underneath my feet. So are the windows.
 A ohiid's cry was heard distinctly
 Some one is with you-a babys" qaes- toned FausVine eagerly.
 Yes, my baby-ny only child
 Lift her up through the hole, then. will take her to q safe place. And the little one was soon in Faustine's arms, who bore her gently away.
 = will send father and the boys for you, she said 10 the mother. Don't be afraid
 With the child clinging closely to her neck, she made the perilous journey back over the fallen tree. She was greeted with shouts of joy, and her brothers joined hands, thus making seat for her, on which she and the rescued baby rode to the cabin.
 The father and the boys, with the ax, hurried to the wreck, and soon the weary and bruised mother was resting in safety by the chimney corner; none too soon, either, for, with noise like thunder the wreck tore down the stream and was dashed over the rocks.
 4 week later the mother died and was