The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-06-20
we had better land there and wait for the
suuall to Dass over.


"The rowers turned the boat toward
the islet and pushed out vigorously,
meantime holding the umbrella low like
Z tent or awning over my own and Nellie
MOrtOn's heads, for now It was raining
Again Harry called to us to shut down
the umbrella, lest it should catch the
wind and upset our skiff, and the next
moment Downs, who had not said one
word to us girls since the wind sprang
up, snapped out, Yes, certainly, down
with that umbrella'
"What with sense Of danger, and what
with sudden CONSERVATION at being
spoken to in such tone and manner,
had no selfcommand, and in shutting the
umbrella somehow lost my balance, and
the next instant I was sinking in the
binding waters.
must have risen very quickly, for
the boat was there and laid my hand on
its side, but quick as a flash Downs
hand came down on mine, and though he
afterward said that he tried to lay hold of
me to assist me know that he dislodged
my hand. True, should have upset the
boat, and just as true he flung me off to
perish. AS sank again, even through
the gurgling in my ears heard the voice
coming
Again rose and again sank. Then
ceased to struggle and the pain of sutfo-
cation was gone. knew that was dying,
and like electricity all my past life flashed
before me. had no terror of death, but
longed to ask Harry's pardon. Downs
l seemed to have forgotten. The tall rice
was all about me, and knew no more
until deadly sickness and great pain
woke me to consciousness. Was it the
gurgling water or human speech that
rumbled in my ears? | did not know, l
did not care; I only wished not to be dis
turbed-not to suffer.
"Slowly my comprehension returned
and found myself on bed in the log
cabin of the man who kept the boats on
hire, and it was night, for candles were
burning. Some of my companions of
the picnic were there, but l was too i'll
and weary to ask questions.
"When next opened my eyes it was
daylight and my father and mother were
bending over me.
"Suddenly remembered something of
the drowning and l cried out, Where is
Harry? He said he was coming
"They hushed and soothed me and
suppose administered narcotic, for I have
only faint recollection of lying on a
bed in covered conveyance and Of being
annoyed by the jolting.
"The next time awoke my mind was
| clear. recollected all and begged to be
told how Twas saved. My friends evaded
this question, and my suspicious being
aroused I demanded to see Harry Vane.
| Finding they could no longer put me off
they told me that Harry rescued me and
swan with me toward the islet, where
one of the boats had just landed. An
other gentleman wadcd out breast high
to meet him and drew me to the shore,
| supposing that Harry was following.
But Harry did not follow, and in the cx-
| citement about me he was not missed
until too late. Whether he was exhausted
or whether he took cramp no one could
tell. This only I know and never shall
Fforget: Harry Vane was drowned in
saving my life. This also I know: I
shall live and die Charlotte Kemp. As
for Downs, l hated then, I hate still, the
sound of. his name. He left our town
almost Immediately after the occurrence,
and never saw his face again after the
day Of the picnic"