The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-10-02

fresh portion of the rock on which ht
babes were standing.
But in vain did her mothers heal
swell within her till it was well-nig
bursting, as she saw the little dimple
hands of her Joan stretched out towar
her, and her brave boy take off his CO
and wave it cheeringly to her with
manly courage, which he drew from he
own generous blood much more tha
from his sire's.
But could nothing be done?
Sir William now appeared on the ron
which ran along the shore. He was fol
lowed by the old gamekeeper, by Emil
Carter, who had recovered, by Sara
Chambers, who wished to see with he
own eyes what the precise extent Of tn
danger was, by the housekeeper, til
stable boy, and a rat-catcher who hap
pened to be passing along the road q
the time and was drawn to the beach b.
that love of the terrible which kings
philosophers, high damsels and low
noble marquises, baronets and rat
catchers share equally among them.
Well, was there no one there VIII
could swim2
| Unhappily Sir William could not, no
the game-keeper. The rat-catcher be
ing applied to by Emily Carter, looked
at that young person solemnly for sew
eral seconds, and then quietly closed hi
eyes, and thus addressed her:
Young woman, do you see this her
rat in this here cage ?"
"Well ?" demanded Emily, with mucl
dignity.
"Then, unless some on you can swim
furderer nor me, or unless boat comel
up, or unless sometbink else happens
which I sees no promising sign on,
wouldn't give the life of this here rat fol
the life of them two children"
And the tide was rising. Smooth al
glass smooth, spacious and smiling aI
lying hypocrite it was rising, and Lady
Windus could see that it was already
licking the feet of her children.
"Look, look, William" she exclaimed
at the same time directing her husbands
attention to the rock; she lifts her up
Tie water is at their feet! My God
can we do nothing?"
Yes, it was true. The water was al
their feet. William had raised Joan ir
his arms; and as he saw his mother
direct the baronet's attention to them,
he called out, though she couldn't hea,
him:
"All right, mamma; there's plenty Of
time yet"
Plenty of time! The sea was flowing
in. Often as the party on the shore
turned their eyes in the direction in
which Mr.. Ling had ridden to procure q
boat, there was nothing in sight.
Lady Windus had tainted. Sir Will.
liam stood q picture of agony, looking
at his children. Sarah Chambers, EN-
lily, and the stable boy were grouped
round the old game-keeper, who assisted
them in shedding many tears, but had
nothing better to offer to his young
master and Miss Joan, though he avowed,
and perhaps truly, that he was ready to
die for them.
The rat.catcher had seated himself on
q stone.
care those your children ?" asked O
man who stood at Sir Williams side,
but whose approach had not been
noticed.
The baronct did not turn to look at
the speaker. It was some seconds,
indeed, before he recognized that any
one had addressed him, but when he
did, he replied, in a very deep whisper
of despair.
"They are"
The mans gaze was fixed upon the
children. Sir Williams was fixed upon
him. He thought he remembered him,
and so he did, for it was the acrobat.
It was Duval !-Duval, who had
prayed for vengeance as the sole favor
for which he would trouble heaven. 1t
was Duval, at whose door, if he could
be said ever to have had one, all the
miseries of life had knocked, and at
whose hearth they had seated them
selves. For did not she, whom he had
loved more than himself Martha-did
she not lie in her cold grave, with her
baby by her side, in the same paupers s
coffin !? And now, what was left to
Duval ?-only to wait for death. Nay,
something more-to live for revenge.
No boat made its appearance, the tide
had risen six inches more, and now they
saw the boy kneel down in the water,
and look up as if he was praying. And
only Duval could save him and h:7
sister-only Duval. He alone of al;
who stood there could breast the foo
to the rock and back again with the boy.
Why not tell Sir William so? Why
not indeed. Is not revenge sweet?
And still the tide was rising. Lady
Windus, restored for moment to
consciousness, but no sooner realized
her position than she relapsed into
insensibility.
"Sir William" said Duval, 81 see
you remember me. Once I thirsted fo1
revenge upon you. For two years
thirsted for it. Heaven has sent it to me. y
A bright light shot from his eyes as
he said this, and then he walked slowly
down to within few PAGES of the water.
He undressed he waded into the sea
till it came up to his breast, and then,
throwing himself forward, struck out
for the rock.
We shall not describe the JOY with
which the parents, who had watched il
agonized suspense the acrobat's attempt
to rescue their children, received then
back into their arms. But while they
we're fondling them, Duval had dressed
and slipped away. He had regained the
road, and was pursuing his journey will
igh ht step and light heart, for he hac
had his revenge.
No, not all of it. Sir William nc
sooner missed him than he went in pur
suit of him.
"Here," exclaimed the baronet, wher
at last he came up with him. endeavor
ing put well-filled purse into Duvalt
hand. "You have saved my children
and are entitled-I say entitled-to s
reward"
Duval drew back his hand.
81 have had It'll" he exclaimed, dart
ing look of fierce and whitening scor1
at the baronet, and then, turning from
him with an expression of contempt
pursued his journey.
And the proud baronet stood looking
after him, rebuked and humbled.
How to Choose a Horse.