Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-07

denly, looking startled "isn't she with
You, Jennie ?" 1000
hours; whyo nj,
,Jadgo cried breathlessly. You see,
She Explained as Robert called out that
she was not there. 'she asked me 10 go
down 10 the rocks with her. but had
some work to do, and had promised to
help about supper. or at least had been
promised that | might She said she
would find you, and as | had not seen
either of you since, ] supposed you were
both there"
A heavy peal of thunder broke with a
sudden crash upon their ears. and the wind
blew a few great fugitive drops OF rain
against the leaves and window panes with
4 dull splash.
my God = Joe cried, sharply, and with
bound sprang away down the path,
closely followed by Robert.
"Oh dear. what can it be-" Madge
sobbed, hurrying on after them. her long
apron swaying and tapping in the wind,
and threatening every moment to trip her
up. =,
at is something serious to excite him."
Mr.. Clayton said. II hope she isn't out
on the rocks in this wind, with such sea
as this going -.
.Is it any of your folks, Mrs. Clayton? P
a neighbor asked, opening her window.
Another heavy peal of thunder. and then
fierce binding sheet of rain that blew
directly in their faces, completely drowned
their voices. But still the three women
struggled on, till suddenly Madge gave n
low awed cry and pointed to long mar
row ledge OF gray rock, some fifty i.o,
from the shore. The water was dashng
and switching madly against it, the white
spray rising into the air as it beat against
its sides, and midway her bare feet cling
ing to the rock, her dripping garments
huttering in the wind, stood Reward Hast
ings. She stood erect, her face pale as
her white robe, her eyes reyerentv up
lifted
There were dozen men Oh the shore,
and half AS many boats, two OF which had
already been swampcd in the effort to get
them off.
1T is no use said Mr.. Clayton-hc
and Frank had seen her as they came up
the Aston road. and had reached there
simultaneously with Joe and Robert-"lrs
no use irving to launch boat in this sea.
Joe struggled ashore he had been in
the first boat and had been knocked SEN
seless for an instant or two, by the oal
when the boat capsized. His face was
deadly white now. and his lips had that
blue palid look, the counterpart OF death.
"What are you going to do y Robert
asked as he began deliberately divesting
himself OF coat, vest and boots.
'Can you ask ?" he answered an angry
Iioht flaming in his ewes
Robert colored, shuddered and turned
away.
81 can't do it. Joe. Life is 10 dear, and
YOU know it is certain destruction. Don't
go,"putting out his hand pleadingly, '.you
cannot save her, and its only throwing
life away; don't go"
II shall find it again somewhere. lam
not afraid" he replied, with a grave smile.
Only and he spoke low and hurriedly,
IF do not come back comfort mother.
and tell her to try and forget all the troub'
lie or pain ever caused her"
An instant more and he was striking out
Tor the rock, with what seemed to the
awed and panied watchers a sort of super
human strength.
Reward no longer stood erect but slight
" STOPPING, her arms involuntarily reach
ing forward, her whole face, attitude and
expression, one of GREATNESS, anxious
pain. 1t was easy to see how utterly she
had forgotten her own peril in his.
All this time the rain came down in tor
rents, and the clouds, cleft in twain, emit
ed fiery tongues of flame that licked the
hills, trembling with the long roll rever-
berating echoes, Suddenly shout rose
from the watchers-a shout that rose loud
an.1 olaar oh tho hal1nwinO nf the tenn.
pest or the roaring of the sea.
Thank Cod" burst from the white lips
of Mrs. Clayton, as, she sank down upon
the dripping sands.
Joe had reached the rock, and stood be.
side Miss Hastings. His dark hair made
his face look deathly white, but there was
no traceof fear or dflidence in il now. The
water dashed over the rock when the
strongest wave, came in, but he showed
no symptom of hurry or excitement He
knew he must rest a little before making
another effort, and one SO fraught with
peril as this must be. Alone, he might
possibly succeed, but with her well, he
could try; perhaps he could save her; he
would be content with that, he thought.
"Joe,n she laid her little white hand
on his arm, half pleadingly half assessing
~, viii you 90 something ior me-soHe-
thing had rather have you do than save
my life /? deserve 10 suffer for my care
lessness in coming here, and forgetting
about the tide"
what better can do, he asked, Won
deringly, Ethan save your life ?"
"Save your own" she said, softly. 1T
is worth score of mine
SIS it worth anything to You, Wardie p
he asked, bending over and looking
straight into her eyes; eff it is. AL the
waters of the Atlantic cannot drown me. y
20 Joe! it is everything to me. Il
thought you knew it, and despised me for
it, and that was why you avoided me So,
she said, falteringly.
There was no audible reply, for al that
instant monster wave came loaming and
dashing against the rock, and the felt her
self held firmly in his strong grasp, and
then the waters closed about them, and
she knew life and death hung trembling in
the balance, and then one swift wild fear
that she might escape and he be lost came
over her, and then long, long blank.
Meanwhile, the walters on the shore had