Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-12


some way, when there seemed no crack
or crevice large enough for man, at
his left. In less time than it takes to
tell it this man was at the side or the
frightened and danger beleaguered
woman and had one strong arm about
iher waist.
MY Cod" he exclaimed, as he
reached her side, though she was so
thoroughly beside herself that she did
mot notice it, and perhaps did not hear
it at all; my God, it is the same face
the very same face-but more beau
tiful than l supposed possible-more
beautiful than any l ever saw before!'
He caught her firmly. He held her
tightly. And then, more slowly but no
less surely than he had fought his way
into the midst Of the dangers in which
she had been placed. he fought his
way out with her. He met and con-
Iuuered brute force on this side by his
own physical strength; he eluded dan
ger on that side by a quick and alert
exercise of cautious cunning which was
marvellous. Little by little. now NOV
ing to the right, now to the left now
standing still for moment, and then
hurlying forward he won his way.
He set the feet Of Miss Lurline Ban
hottie in safety up on the sidewalk; he
took off his hat and bowed to her.
Shall l have the pleasure Of seeing
YOU to your home?" he asked.
IF you will be so kind" she replied,
giving him one Of her marvellous
smiles: Il am really very much in
need of assistance"
Il do not wonder. You were in no
little danger
True suppose you saved my life,
did you not?"
Il think so. Perhaps it was not so
serious as that. but"
Put it looked as though it would
be? Is that it?" inquired Miss Bannot-
| tie.
Yes" replied the gentleman.
He offered his arm. She took it. and
leaned heavily upon it. Perhaps her
nerves were really 50 much shaken
that she felt she needed this support.
More likely she had taken it into her
wicked little head to play the clinging
and dependent woman with this man.
Here was evidently q gentleman; a
gentleman who was brave and quick
quick with his thoughts and his hands
alike: gentleman whose face indi-
Gated experience. a large knowledge OF
the world. and an acquaintance with
hardship and suffering.
Perhaps one might excuse a woman
for clinging to such a man as this. a
man whose strength and dignity
maturity and manhood proved him
"a foeman worthy of her steel" But
suppose Lurline Bannottie would not
have hesitated to play her pranks upon
any man who had crossed her path in
the populous wilderness of London.
| II can never thank you enough
she said earnestly, turning her glance
upon him again; you saved my life,
and life is very sweet to me-"
| Her rescuer looked at her. Admira-
ton. respectful and chivalrous, but
ardent and earnest, shone in his eyes,
Bluf1y and frankly, perhaps half in
mischief and half in carelessness, he
spoke the thought in his mind:
And your beauty, your face-I saved
that too"
| She thought of the danger from
which she had just come, and of what
an iron -ShOd hoOf might have done for
her and still have left her many long
years of life She shuddered for mo-
ment, in spite of herself Then, with
light laugh, she faced him once more,
and saucily answered him:
My face is not my fortune, sir"
she said.
Perhaps not" he replied, gravely,
but as frankly and carelessly as be-
fore: but it is your power. Did no
one ever tell you that?"
She let her head fall forward a little
upon her breast. She made him no
Men had been telling her of her beau
ty-all her life. But no one had ever
quite dared, before, to tell her just
what he had. Power? How much she
needed it! How much more than even
we. my dear reader, know or can know!
And she knew he told the truth. And
she had lived years enough to see
beauty fade-n the faces of others.
though the mirror had never had but
one tale to tell her since the happy,
girlish years Of the long ago-ere yet
she had left innocence behind her, ere
yet she had found womanhood, and an
uravailing love to curse it-ere yet she
Ihad let passion burn and scar her very
soul
What answer could she make to this
bold man? What answer, indeed!
She made him none.
But she spoke again, after little
She came back once more to the
thanks she felt--or at least spoke.
Il can never repay YOU" she said
earnestly.
The man drew a quick. long breath
SuIJpOSt Ilbl, llC lNpllSus DNN ''''
should you try? Pass the benefit on
to another. Save and assist the next
needy one who comes in your way.
cannot think OF danger escaped having
filled the purpose for which it was
; wisely designed unless it has planted
more of love and the spirit of brave
. and devoted self sacrifice in the heart
and soul of the one from whom it was
Iavcrted Let my act bear fruit in youl
factions. and shall be more than bless
ed and more than content"
You speak strongly"
Il feel strongly. 1t is only shor'
time since my own life was saved un-
der very singular circumstances; only
, a short time since ! was in very Pc
culiar danger. You remember youi
| own escape; what would have beer
your fate if had been dead?