Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-24

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morning sun Evelyn proposed that they
should take row upon the river
The party was gay, the air fresh.
heightening their spirits. Peter rowed
while Howard assisted the ladies to gath
er water lilies, with which the margin of
the river was filed.
Howard was reckless and from time to
time raised up in the boat to pull the
flowers toward him with his cane. Pc
ter urged him to be careful or he would
upset the boat, and Evelyn also remon-
strated with him. He became angry and
in order to annoy Peter persisted in get
ting up to reach for the flowers, when his
foot caught. and he fell, upsetting them
all in the water.
The water was shallow, and Edith and
the two young men, with the aid Of the
river grass. succeeded in wading to the
shore. When they reached it, to their
horror they found that Evelyn had been
borne out into the strong current In the
middle of the river.
Save herl Oh, save her!" cried the dis
tracted Edith, seizing Towards arm.
"She will drownw
He stood a moment, then said: 81
should only risk my own life. But see,
there is Jim Brown going Ia his boat to
hsh. lie is good swimmer. l will go
| and get him to get her as she is carried
toward him by the current"
oh" said Edith, "she will be dead by
that time, and il you love her save her!
But she spoke to empty air, for How
ard had darted forward like an arrow
from its bow
In the meantime Peter had sprung into
the water and had seized Evelyn as her
head appeared the second time above the
water and was bringing her triumphant
| ly to shore.
When Edith saw her cousin safely
upon land she ran to the house to pre-
pare them for her coming.
Peter stood for a moment upon the riv-
er bank to rest, with his precious burden
in his arms. He drew her head closely
to his breast. He rubbed her forehead
and temples. Evelyn" he whispered,
bending over her. The call had a magic
al effect. She opened her eyes as a flow
er turns to the light, then closed them
YEARLY again.
you are saved! Oh, my love, my dar-
ling! My God, thank theev' He felt
her lips close to his and her breath
against his cheeks as in agony he bent
over her. He was strongly tempted to
kiss those tempting lips, but he controlled
himself, for he would not take advantage
of her helplessness or trespass on the
rights of another.
She opened her eyes again. and when
she found her head resting on the breast
of the man she so fondly loved she would
fam have closed them again, but she tried
to collect her strength and said: II am
quite well. can go now" But her voice
was weak.
He felt, however, that she was still ex-
hausted and carried her in his strong
arms to the house.
Shortly afterward Evelyn wrote to
Howard breaking of their engagement.
He was both indignant and Inundated
and soon after left for an extended tour
abroad.
Mr.. Claire, who had previously treated
Peter with the Indifferent polteness he
did Evelyn's numerous gentleman friends,
since he saved her life overwhelmed him
with attentions and was pleased to see
her encourage his suit, for Peter, when
he found Evelyn free, with his character
istic energy, tried hard to secure the OBJ
ject of his affection, and when he pro-
posed was accepted.
my darling" said Peter, dearly as !
love you ! want you to consider well be.
fore accepting me, IL there is in your
heart the slightest affection for Howard
Remember he is rich and handsome, while
l am poor and plain, with my way to
make in the world, and il is better for me
to suffer now than to have any misunder
standing or future regrets; therefore
beseech you to consider well the impor
lance of your answer"
J "Peter," she said, II have well consid
cred 1t. / love you dearly, and with
man like you would be happy anywhere
l was convinced before the accident a
] the river that never loved him. 1t wa.
t a mere fancy. which his conduct theI
turned to contempt. A woman despises
[ cowardly man, for when she marries sh,
s wants a protector. Poor Howard" sh,
!, continued, "wOudn't make a soldier, To-
q in an engagement he would be sure to b,
shot in the back"
t "And are you willing to go through lif,
S bearing the undistinguished name of Mrs
n Peter Uriah Grub"
s "Dear Peter" said Evelyn, 81 beg tina
h you will forgive and forget those foolisl
e speeches of NINE My heart, / assur
e you, reproached me the moment ate
a they were uttered"
81 will, darling. for am convinced tina
q you are giving me an undivided heart
o that you love me-"
e with my entire heart, Peter"
II "Then," he said pressing her fondly t
N his breast "be mine, darling, and com
d what may we viii be happy."-N"s'AS
e town Herald.