Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-03-08


while clinging to the shrouds and rig
ging were tiny specks, known to be
men, whose numbers, after each sweep
ing wave were mournfully lessened.
With difficulty the life-boat was
launched, manned by brave.hearts,
volunteers, and pulled on its mission
of rescue.
Twice successfully it made the
journey, but the third time, caught by
a side wave, it and its freight were
hurled pell-mell upon the beach.
1.-THE boat is done for" said the
Rector, regarding it, "but, praise
heaven, not before all are saved"
emo, no! O, papa, in mercy look, !"
cried May, catching his arm. 'There
is yet one on board who has been left
behind"
Her words attracted every eye on
the beach. and there, holding to the
shrouds, was visible the figure Of a
man. The next instant he had plung-
ed into the boiling sea.
"He would swim it. 1t is impOssi.
ble," calculated the Doctor. 1.-THE
boat is useless. We have no means to
help, unless any here wonld risk their
lives to meet him with rope"
There was silence. The rope was
ready-the man wanting. They were
not towards, but few there could swim,
and those who were able regarded the
attempt as pure madness.
Suddenly in their midst stood man
already Invested of his coat.
''Fasten the rope around me, he
said, quietly, II am strong swimmer
and perhaps can do it,
At the sound of his voice May sprang
forward with cry.
''Tom-Tom Mildmay!" she exclaim'
ed. ''Oh, no, no-n0t YOU.
He smiled encouragingly upon her,
watched for the resting wave, and the
next instant was battling his way
through the pillows. In that stormy
sea to follow his course was impossi.
BILE. They only knew his presence by
the telling-out of the rope.
1t was terrible suspense,-ton none SO
much as to May, who leaned half
fainting, yet too anxious to lose entire
consciousness, upon her fathers arm.
A quarter of an hour, and the signal
was given to pull in. Rapidly 1t was
obeyed. But each haul found the
weight heavier, until it was evident
that the swimmer or swimmers were
no longer able to assist themselves.
So it proved, when by one more haul
they were landed. The two men were
found senseless, clasped in each others
arms with a grip like death.
Anxiously the crowd gathered
round, as murmur of surprise burst
from many as in the preserver and
preserved they recognized Thomas
Mildmay and the supposed murdered
man, John Westmacott.
Little remains to be told. John
Westmacott, on recovering heard with
considerable emotion who had been
his rescuer. and eagerly he explained
the mystery of his disappearance on
that eventfui night.
Maddened by passion, after striking
Thomas Mildmay down, he set off tC
walk to a neighboring seaport, resolv
ing never to place foot in the rectory
again.
4 vessel, when he arrived, was on
the point of starting for Norway,-a
place he had long desired to VISIT
and he took passage in her, hoping by
travel to find distraction from his mis-
cry.
In Norway he had remained until a
week back, when chance had thrown
into his hands an old news paper
containing Thomas Mildmay's trial.
Shocked and overwhelmed with
remorse, he had not lost moment in
returning to Scotland by the first shil
that sailed, which, by singular chain
of circumstances, happened to be
wrecked on the very portion Of the
coast be wished to reach.
"You have saved my life, Tom,'
said he, warmly pressing his friends
palm, "and l am here to prove you1
innocence. Forgive the past, and,'
taking Nays hand. and himself plac
ing it in the others, 81 pray you ma,
he happy. If your guilt was not prov
en-, your devotion is, and fully merits
the reward Of May Westleigh's love.