Judsonia weekly advance., 1904-12-14

water plants shut in the narrow water path we were following, excluding even the light of a crescent moon rising overhead.
 That must be the way. See how much broader the canal is. Turn down to your right, Cousin Duncan" urged Vera.
 Striking a few matches and holding them aloft I saw that the way Vera suggested did look more open.
 We are lost, anyhow, so we might as well go at random" Vera declared i laughing gaily, and without the slight est appearance of anxiety.
 was struck dumb at realizing thei ! catastrophe and it's possible ulterior} | results. <
 Nonsense. we'll just keep on pat,r ding, and we will be sure to come ouN somewhere" I remarked, as our light. l pirogue slid rapidly over the surfacel of the dark water.
 Not so sure at all" Vera an-l i swefed, eomposedly. This swamp extends for 50 miles, Cousin Dun. We may keep on trying to find our way | for day or two. Fortunately I brought few little things. in basket l for old Mrs. Brown at the sawmill. The next clearing we come to we will 1 stop and have supper"
 How beautiful this is. Just look l at those fire flies and the little moon peeping at us through the trees. 1 What a romantic adyenture.'
 ''It is very much nicer, Cousin Dun can, to be wandering through this lonesome swamp with you than danc- ] ing a cotillion at Mrs. Perry Bark more's with Ned Casterman. What do you think about it?''
 What did 1 think? My heart was torn with a wild unreasonable delight, keen anxiety, and perplexity beyond | description.
 For it was certainly true that this gloomy and limitless cypriere covered Q vast area of country, and God only knew how far we had penetrated its intricacies, or when we would emerge from it.
 For all Veras gay, sweet, confden- tial manner-meant to relieve my anxi- ety, and to cheer mel knew the child must feel keenly our extraordl- nary plight.
 Reaching a clearing after steadily going forward into the unknown, steadied our frail craft by pushing it among some dense mosses and under | growth.
 Vera produced her basket, and I in- sisted on her eating supper, wrapping her in a light covering, which had been thrown over the seat, for the night had grown chilly.
 And while we chatted my watch showed me it was midnight.
 Lie in the bottom and rest your head on the cushion, and go to sleep Vera, child; we will certainly come to some logger's hut, or we may cut across into the Valmont settlement"
 Vera perhaps had as acute a per ception of our appalling position Stt ! had, bat n3t}fil2agg4-itse 4aef $ s4tr, fident manner indicated that she was distressed.
 She followed my advice declaring she was to blame for our charming adventure, and finally dropped off to sleep.
 padded on through the narrow windings of the swamp, my heart filed with a strange and unreasoning joy, as great as my anxiety as to the outcome
 Mamma won't worry" Vera said Growsily She will believe l have driven over to Aunt Clementine's to | spend the night"
 But I knew my failure to appear would cause search to be made, and l | did not deceive myself that Vera's ab- sence would remain unnOticed.
 The first pale streaks of dawn were | Altering through the trees when l discovered where We were. Just a few miles from the plantation canal, and from where we started.
 Leaving the cut to the sawmill, must have made a wide detour to come back to our starting point.
 The sun was rising, when fastening the pirougue, we walked up from the canal, reached the grounds and the | house.
 Later in the day while pacing up and down the library, sent for Vera 1 She came looking lovely, for being little wan, and coming towards me she held out both hands smiling grave 1 ly up at me.
 Vera, child, there is but one thing to do. Wear this ring. and let me say to the world you are my affianced wife. Never fear, little one. It will bind you to nothing. In years time We will quarrel, and you will send me off, and l will go abroad" I held her hands and looked down into her exquisite face, my soul in my eyes.
 ''Do-you care for me erough-for that?" she whispered
 More than for life. here and here after. There could be no heaven for me without you, Vera" I answered.
 "The en keep me. I will wear your 1 ring, and we will not quarrel. Do you not know-?"-N. o. Times