The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-07-12
AN ACCIDENT AND IT'S SEQUEL.
By KATE RATHM0RE.

| "'''i hiiA'cu unit sue suoulu 20 10 u
point where the water poured over a
portion of the dam lower than the rest.
| turned my back to step mp on the
post. 1t was but moment | heard
cry, and saw Julia In the flood.
The expression that was in her eyes
is to this day stamped clearly on my
memory-an expression of mingled re-
proach and forgiveness.
| could scarcely swim a dozen
strokes, but not a second had elapsed
before | was in the water.
/ swan and struggled and bufreted
to reach ner; all in vain. An eddy
whirled me in different direction.
My strength was soon exhausted. |
was borne down the river, sinking
and rising. till came to a place
where l caught Il glimpse. as rose
TO the surface. of man running along
some planks extending into the river,
ana raised above the water on posts.
My feet became entaugled in weeds
! sank. heard great roaring in my
ears, then oblivion
When ! came TO was lying on my
back. | remember the FIRST thing I
saw was light cloud sailing over
the clear blue. There was an air OF
quiet and peace thar contrasted with
my own sensations Then saw a man
on his knees beside something he
was rubbing. l turned my head aside
and say it was little fgure-a girl,
Julia. She was cold and stark.
My agony was far greater than when
| had plunged after her into the
streem Then | hoped and believed
that if she We're drowned l would De
also Now | saw her beside me life
less, and lived
Ihen some men came, and the man
who was rubbing Julia said to them:
Take care Of the boy; the girl is too
far gone" They took me up and car
ried me away, and laid me for a while
on bed in strange house. Then
| was driven to the school.
The next day my father came and
took me home. | was i'll after that,
too i'll to ask about Julia, but when
recovered what load was taken
from my mind to know that by dint
Of rubbing and rolling. and a stimu-
liant she had been brought to and
had recovered. | also learned that
the man who cared for rs had seen
Julia fall and had rescued her. When
l saw him running along the planks
il was to his boat chained to the end.
That summer my father removed
with his family to Western Pennsyl-
yania. He was obliged to wait some
time for my recovery, but at last |
was able to travel and left without
again seeing the little girl whom 1 had
led into danger. only heard that |
had been blamed by everyone.
Ten years passed, during which
was constantly haunted by one idea;
that was to 90 back and find Julia
and implore her forgiveness. The
years that must be boy and depen.
dent seemed intermnable. At last
came Of age and received small for
tune that had fallen TO me. and. as
soon as the papers in the case We're
duly signed and sealed. l started.
II was just about the same time Of
the year, and the same hour of the af-
ternoon as when | first saw Julia,
that | walked into the old school
grounds. l had fully intended to 20
in next door ana call for her, but MY
courage failed me [ had heard moth
ing Of her for years Was she dead?
Was she living? Was she in her old
home, or far away? These thoughts
chased each other through my mind,
and dreaded 10 know
! was standing at the school en-
trance with my hand on the bell
when / heard door in the next
house open and then shut. From that
moment / could feel that Julia was
near me.
She came out Of the house, n slen-
der, graceful girl of nineteen. and
picking up a tennis racket. commenced
TO knock the balls about. | wanted
TO make myself known, but dreaded
the horror with which she would re-
gard me when sbe should learn who /
was.
Il beg your pardon" l said. raising
my hat "can you tell me if the school
is still there" pointing to the house.
ut was moved some years ago"
she replied regarding me with the
old. steady gaze.
Il was one Of the scholars"
Indeed" She spoke without any
further encouragement for me to 20
on.
Il see the wood has been cut away"
| added, glancing toward 1t.
mo; 1t does not seem TO be-"
Were you ever thereW
oh yes. often"
And is that old dam still across
the riverY
Il believe 1t is.q
She looked at me curiously. I went
on without waiting for a reply:
Would you mind showing me the
way to it?" 1t is a long while since
was there"
She drew herself up with slight
hauteur. Then, thinking that perhaps
was unaccustomed to the conyen.
tlonal ways Of civilized life, she said,
pleasantly:
you have only to walk through the
wood straight at the back OF the house
and you will come to It,"
THANK you." replied "but
hoped you would show me the way"
She looked puzzled.