ONLY THE LEAVE DESERVE THE FAIR.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 187, 24 January 1877, Page 4

ONLY THE LEAVE DESERVE THE FAIR.

[by .run on on auk. J Tun scene was grand mid terrible. A majestic steamer, wrapped in flam s, was the centre of a bright circl.t of light, within whose dazzling glare naught was visible but the turbid waters of the swollen river. Ail beyond was shut out as 1-y a thick wall of darkness. .Boat after boat had departed, filled with half-chid, frightened passengers, suddenly aroused to find themselves In deadly peril. r J he last one was about to be shoved ( i ft", and there was no time to lose : for the scorching blaze, which shot forth on every side, made it dangerous to remain longer in proximity to the fated vessel. “is it, certain that none are left?'’ said a young man, who had ling-cred to the last before entering the boat, and whose cool, intrepid daring had saved more than one life that night at the imminent peril of Ins own. “ At any rate, we can take no more with safety,” was the response of another passenger, a stylish youth, who, after running. about, wild with fright, seekingin vain to crowd himself into one after another of the previous boats, had, at length, succeeded in gaining a place in the last.

“ Pull away, my lads !” lie called to (lie men at tlio oars ; “we have iio time to waste here.” A piercing cry rose above llic confusion. Every eye was turned towards the burning steamer. There, leaning over the upper guard, stood a young and beautiful girl, her face white as the flowing night-robe that enveloped her form, and her arms stretched forth in agonised, appeal. ‘■'Hold!” cried Archcy Lester, the young man who bad first spoken; “ keep the boat where she is,” Then pulling off coat, vest, and bools, be stood ready to spring, “ It is impossible to reach yon through the flames,” be shouted, “ Lea]) into the water and I will save yon. Lo not fear.”

Eor a moment the girl hesitated. But nearer ami nearer raged the angry element. Bhc felt its hot breath on her cheek. There was nut one escape from a terrible death. With the courage, of desperation, she threw herself over the guard, and the next moment she found herself supported hy the strong arm of Arehey Lester, who had-sprung forward into the water and caught her ere she could sink. Archcy was a good swimmer; and a few strokes brought him and ids burden in reach of the boat. As he - attempted to grasp the side, the young man who had shown so much anxiety to save himself, seized an oar ami struck away his i, w a. “ I tell you there is no room lor another,” he said. “ The boat is nearly sinking already ; besides, you will overturn it, if you catch hold of it in that way, and Pm no swimmer, you see. Come, boys, pull away !—self-preserva-tion first of all.” And there were cowards enough among them to overbear the few possessed of more manly instincts, and the boat was swiftly rowed away, leaving Archly and liis charge to take their chance amid the dangers of flood and darkness as best they might.

It was the morning of Rose Waring's •wedding-day. She did notsoom especially joyous. The ran tell was one of her iUtlsor’s mating. Ho had set his heart on marrying his dang]itor to Edward Hardin, the son of an old friend of his, equally bent on the match. Young Hardin had spent severed years abroad, and he and .Rose had seen nothing of each other since they were children, .and used to call each other sweetheart in play. How that ho was a man, and she no longer a child, she failed to discover in him many of the qualities she would have preferred Ur find in a sweetheart in earnest. True, he was well enough in point of looks, and was not destitute of accomplishments. Rut there was something lacking, she could hardly tell what. Anyhow he was not a man to stir her ■enthusiasm. Nor was there much more of ardor on Edward Hardin’s side. At Ids first meeting with Rose he even seemed a little startled ; and it was hot till after some time that ho became quite at ease in her presence. . But Rose was a dutiful and affectionate daughter, and her father, as wo have said, having set his heart on the match, she yielded to his wislres, doing her best to conceal whatever of secret repugnance she may have felt. As her- portion would be handsome, Edward Hardin found little difficulty in acceding to the family arrangements on his part. “ I—l am almost sorry,” said Rose to her father as they sat at breakfast, “ tlmt we invited Mr Lester to be present to-day.”

I’m sure I don’t see how wc could do less,” replied the old gentleman warmly. “ I don’t know who can liavo a bettor right to give a woman away than the in an who has saved her life.” Rose gave a little sigh, and was silent. Archey Lester, since the night he. had swum ashore, through the darkness, with one arm, supporting Rose Waring with the other, had, of course, become acquainted with her family, whom, though he lived at a distance, he had more than once taken occasion to visit.

“ I hope lie won’t come,” said Hose, aft/T long’ pause, “ That’s hardly grateful,” retorted Mr Waring looking up sharply. Lose uttered another lir.tlc sigh. “ in his letter he promi.s -s to meet us at the ehiuv.fi,” said Mr Waring. “ You s>e, he comes in the morning train, am! will barely have time to meet n ; there.—Lilt come ; i know how lone; it takes to dress a bride, and Indore you’re ready it will he time to go.” It wasn’t exactly to economize time, Lose Inula fancy, Unit Mr Lester stayed away till the last moment. Daring all iiis vidls lie had taken (.-.special pains to avoid meeting Edward Hardin, to whom ho km-w Lose was engaged ; and Lose had felt just u little bit of secret pleasure at the thought that Archey Lester didn’t quite relish the idea of seeing- her married to another. The hour came, and everything was ready. The wedding-party entered the little elmrcls, and only waited the arrival of Mr -Lester, who wall to give away the bride. “ Time's up !” said Mr Waring, who was a very punctual man. “We can’t wait for laggards. I must do the giving away myself, I suppose.” The minister -appeared with Ids book, and the ceremony was about to begin. “Ah! hero comes the straggler!” cried Mr Waring, turning about as Archey entered. “ Hurry up, u:y good fellow !—1 feared I should have to be your substitute.” Archey’* face was a trille pale as lie advanced to take the place assigned him. He greeted Lose formally, who was about presenting Iter future husband, when a flush of mingled surprise and anger overspread Archey’s features.

“ is that the man to whom you would entrust your daughter’s happiness !” he said, turning almost fiercely on Mr W uring. ''•Audi what fault have -t/on to find with him, I should like to know ?” flared up (lie old gentleman. “ J.t was lie, the. dastard i” said Arehey, looking trie abashed'bridegroom sternly in the face, “who not only abandoned the ’woman whom lie would now swear to protect to the threatening waves in which she was struggling, hut, like the coward bo is, struck down the hand that was striving lo safe her!” What faith can bo put in bis oath? Edward Hardin bung bis head in silence. .Lose had not seen him on that dreadlul night; nor bad ho recognised her as she stood in the blazing light of the burning vessel, for ho had not seen her since she was a little girl. It was easy now to understand his trepidation at their first meeting after. That wedding didn’t go on. But one tiki, not many months alter. Who the parties were, we leave the reader to guess.