The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-15
KATE SIBBERT'S AUNT.

uc, was VIC quick duSW6I. Mluu,
shall not leave here without you, dan
ger or no danger. If you do not throw
me something TO get up by, you will be
TO blame for not letting me see what
can do for your aunt. Make something
fast to the center bar, and throw me an
end here"
Kate had leaned farther from the win
dow; gust OF wind blew out. the candle
in her hand. She left the opening, but
it was only for minute. The red il
lumination of the appraised torch showed
her tying tasseled bell-rope to the up
night bar of the window. She dropped
the loose end of the cord, and almost as
sonn as it was grasped, John Dixon had
left the boat A swing in the air, a clutch
at the easement, and he was at her side.
1t was in vain he wished her to let him
lower her into the boat before he went
to bring her aunt. Molioning him back,
she shook her head. She would 60 with
him to her aunt. They disappeared in
side together.
"Make hastep shouted David from the
boat. II know we shan't have much
time now"
This prediction he founded on the
roaring turmoil, ever increasing, behind
the Grange. Loud, hard knockings there
continued, doubtless being made by gath
ering trees; and if the water to the left
quieted few seconds, it always rose
afresh, whitening with foam.
Possibly three minutes had elapsed,
when there was a sharp crack to the left
Of the house; a long hiss followed, deep
ening into roar, An immense wave
riotously appeared, plunging round from
the west side of the Grange, rising terrif-
ically or gaining the corner of the front;
part of it came sliding down, breaking
and tumbling, striking the boat uneven
ly, partly filling it. David, in that mo-
ment, managed to grasp the rope left
hanging from the window. The boat,
tossed and dancing like cork, was borne
to the full length away, but slowly, inch
by inch, his giant strength brought it to
again. Luckily, the trees and loose
masses of brickwork were craried past
a little way before they scattered-then
went rushing wildly by. The other side
of the garden wall. built at this point
right up to the Grange, had given way.
| This left the house itself still more ex-
posed on that side.
"pm here all rightp' roared David.
He wanted to reassure his young master.
Almost before he had finished, still
more startling crash followed; some por-
ton of the hind gable Of the house had
yielded to the pressure Of the new
waters. This crash differed from the
other noise. It was a long, tearing
sound; when it seemed to end, it began
afresh.
David scarcely breathed, till at last he
heard voices within. With one hand he
raised the torch az high as he could.
Kate and John Dixon came in sight.
They were begging and entreating some
one else to fol.ow-someone who was at
adistanee in the rear of them. John
turned to Kate.
-. elf she sees you in the boat, she will
come"
"I know she. will not" was Kate's re-
ply.
Raising her hands prayerfully, she
added:
"Do come, aunt-do come"
John Dixon put his arms round Kate.
"You must go into the boat. Look
out, David! Indeed you must, Kate.
The house is taking fire somewherep
"Nay, nay. 1t is my post, not yours.
Iwill not leave her here alone" Kate
struggled with him.
He took no heed. Carefully lifting
her, he bent with his burden through
the window.
'rShe shall not be alone" he hoarsely
whispered.
David's strong arms received Kate;
she was safe.
"Your aunt is no worse oil. Pll stay
instead Of you" repeated John Dixon.
"Pull out, David, SO as TO keep clear.
One of the broken rooms has taken fire.
Pull out! I shall have one chance; l
can SWIM"
"She has fainted," said David, laying
Kate's helpless form OH the bench of the
wet boat as best he could. "Can not you
come downf If it isn't breaking your
word"
"Pull outp augrily repeated John
Dixon.
The groanings and noise in the house
grew louder; it seemed straining and
eIeaking in every part. But amidst it
sll, Miss Beamish's shrill, quavering
notes were again family to be heard
within.
It was fortunate Kate had swoon. She
knew nothing further. David took up
IN oar, pushing with itgently against the
front wall to get the boat in motion, for
Ehe two currents now made kind of
oackwater just there.
"Good-by, sir. The house III come for
Fard with rush. Strike out to the
light if you have chance; I'll go NO
arther away than can help"
The boat was stirring, withdrawing,
eavtng Jonn Dixon substituted for Kate,
standing silent at his post. He had
ceased to argue with Kate's aunt.
During the last minute or two, faint,
hickerinp illumination had heen grow;no,