Elsie tore off her sash, tied a pebble to one end, and as Enna rose to the
surface, spluttering and struggling, threw it to her crying, "Catch hold
and I will try to pull you out."
"Oh, don't! you will but sacrifice your own life!" cried a manly voice, in
tones of almost agonized entreaty, and Lester Leland came dashing down the
bank.
It was too late; Enna seized the ribbon with a jerk that threw Elsie also
into the water, and they were struggling there together, both in imminent
danger of drowning.
It was but an instant before Lester was there also; death with Elsie would
be far preferable to life without her, and he would save or perish with
her.
It was near being the last; would have been had not Bruno come to his aid,
but with the good help of the faithful dog, he at length succeeded in
rescuing both ladies, dragging them up the bank and laying them on the
grass, both in a state of insensibility.
"Go to the house, Bruno, go and bring help," he said pantingly, for he was
well-nigh overcome by his exertions, and the dog bounded away in the
direction of the house.
"Lord, grant it may come speedily," ejaculated the young man, kneeling
beside the apparently lifeless form of her he loved so well.
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