The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-23


The sea was Of that palest azure which
one sees only in the early morning. Afar
off-for it was the New Hampshire coast
one saw the Isle of Shoals lying on the
bosom of the waves; by-and-by, when
the sun went higher, to fade out Of sight
as by some enchantment. A few sails
were fitting across the horizon. and pres
emily, as Ruth looked, she saw one grow
nearer and nearer, and presently she rec
ognized the man at the tiller.
1t was Paul Anthony, who prided him
self upon his seamanship, and really, for q
curled darling, could manage boat ex-
tremely we'll. But his skill was perhaps
at fault this morning, for, as the graceful
little vessel foated before Ruth's eyes,
with that fascinating grace which is in
deed the very poetry Of motion, an awful
change marred the picture. A flaw Of
wind caught the sail, and before Ruth's
white lips could emit cry, the boat was
upset, and it's freight struggling in the
water.
With the swiftness Of the wind Ruth
turned, and ran toward the hotel, which
was at least mile away. Before she had
G It many rods she met two lads, and
brcathlessly told her errand, and babe
them fly for help. Then, quite weak and
trembling she ran back to the beach, and
there, to her infinite delight, she saw the
men swimming strongly towards the
shore.
Paul Anthony was only little behind
the sailor, and both were making man
full fight for their lives
Would they win? At first Ruth be
lieved there was no doubt Of that. But
oh how slowly the distance lessened !
And-or in her terror she fancied it
they were growing weaker, swimming
more feebly. She wished now she had
run for help herself. Would no one ever
come
She heard the sailor shout encourag
inglJ to his companion. She, too, cried
aloud with sobs and tears she ran up and
down the shore In transport Of distress.
| Not so much as rOwboat was any
where in sight? If one had been at hand,
quite unskilled as she Was, she would
have taken it and tried to reach them.
1t was not because it was Paul Antho.
ny. Something higher and wider than
individual sympathy moved her All,
sweet heaven would these men die be-
fore her eyes? Then, as she almost de-
SPARED, hope revived again.
How the next five minutes passed, Ruth
never knew. But she knew that the sail
or struggled through the surf, that she
waded out among the surf wet rocks, and
caught his hand, then he tottered for.
ward, and, just above the waters edge,
dropped helpless at her feet.
And Paul
Dimly, one may suppose, he saw his
companion safe. With a great effort, he
cried out something in cong:atulation,
toIled on few PAGES further, found foot
ing once on the sand, then slipped, and
fell under the shallow water.
They say one reasons quickly in dire
extremity. No help was near Before
any could come, Ruth knew it would be
too late. There was just one chance
whereby Paul Anthony's life might be
saved Ruth resolved to acce It that
chance
Gt4o Slipped on ner light strong WOODEN
shawl. With her steady fingers she tore
1t into three long strips, which she tied
strongly together. Then, with one end
iooped around a jutting rock, and the
other fastened around her waist she was
ready for her w0rk-for her risk.
Was there risk? She said to herself
| that there was none, that the water was
not above her head, that she could draw
| herself back by the shawl when she de
sired. But, ali it was fearful, that first
plunge in the beating waves, that blind
CROPPING after the helpless form that nv
prone on the Bottom. And when she had
reached it, she cried aloud in her pas
sonatc distress distress, never despair
For shall not weak muscles obey the
strong heart, the mighty will It was
clear triumph Of mind over matter.
When she had drawn him partly upon
the rocks, and knelt there, having cheat
ed the sea Of its prey, Ruth knew, in
spite of her swimming lenses, that it was
only the occasion that had lifted her to its
| lev |.
Great God how did you do it ?"
She looked up, and the dripping sail
or stood over her, white and amazed. And
then Ruth tainted.
Thi3 story made sensation, you NAV
be sure. Ruth was the target for all eyes.
A few admired, many wondered at her,
and few more seemed t. think it al
most unwomanly TO have saved life.
But what did Paul Anthony think {?
He had ample time for reflection during
his convalescence. And later, also, when
abroad again, he sat by Ruth's side, and
watch her slight hands employed about
some dainty work, and remembered what
noble service they had done And Ruth's
innocent heart was full of that exquisite
happiness that comes but once
A week or two drlfted by. They were
sitting on the verandah one afternoon
Ruth's heart was trembling. Surely no
man had right to bend so near her,
with such q face unleaa he were q lnver