The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-04

''Aunt ANNIE" otherwise Mrs Christie,
looked pointedly at Josie.
II dare say Miss Warren favors such an
arrangement, but II there should come UP
sudden shower, as we had about this time
yesterday, what would you do with her,
Lacya"
Josie laughed, and turned pale, never
theiess; Tor she was extremely sensitive to
even well-bred ridicule On her weak point.
III think We'll go, since Bertie is so kind,
and Lacy 80 anxious. They say Lily Is-
land is well worth visit II YOU will
bring my shade hat and parasol, Miss War
rem, [ think we will start as soon as Mas
ter Bertie's boat ls ready"
And while Mrs Christie, Mrs. Grosvenor
and baby Flossie were rowcd down over
the lovely, sparkling bay by BERTHE How
lands strong, skilful hands, gallant little
Lacy escorted Miss Warren on the walk
that led to the narrow, sandy isthmus that
connected the 80. called Lily "Island'' with
the mainland.
Of course, the boating party had reached
there first, and congratulated Josie and
Lacy on having arrived safely, in a way
that, although she knew was mere badin-
age' cut Josies sensitive nature to the
very quick.
well as she could, and joined in the little
ones, search for shells with a zest that com
manded even Mrs. Christie's respect and
admiration.
Until, all at once, BERTHE sprang up from
the sands, with low, horrlfied cry.
''Ihe tide is coming ini Auntie, Mrs
Grosvcnor, Miss Warren, jump into the
boat-quick as you can Come, Lacy.
Flossiel Oh, how could we all have for
gotten that the island Is submerged every
day at this hour, when the food tide comes
in7"
Josie stood still, white as ghost, while
Mrs. Christie sprang up with an agility
amazing for one of her years and avoirdu-
pois, her portly face blanched.
Submerged Of course, it Is under
water several hours every day, but 1 did
not know when the tide came IN to- day !
Get in the boat, Mabel, quickly The tide
is tearfully strongl doubt if BERTHE can
row us in the face of it,
But Mrs. Grosvenor sat as If bewildered
while Mrs. Christie climbed frantically In
the little boat, rocking almost violently
with each successive wave that boiled and
foamed higher each minute.
Josie touched her On the shoulder.
"Please lose no time, Mrs. Grosvenor.
1t is true, the tide is coming IN with terri
Die force and specd-there Is not a minute
to lose, will assist you in the boat"
Aud she half supported, half forced her
into the boat, while Flossle and Lacy. with
hnshed, terrified faces, crouched down be-
tween the two ladies, leaving scarcely room
for BERTHE to WELD his oars, certainly no
possible space for her.
An agonlzing thrill of horror crept all
over her as she saw how it was, and even
bertlc Nowland appreciated the terrible
ness of her position.
"There's no room for Miss Warren" he
shouted, frantically. "A1iss Warren, can
you row2 Can you row9 Can you take
the boat over2 tn stay"
81 cannot row, Bertie," she said, in a
low, hushed voice, that did not seem to her
IKE her own. "Get in quick, and get them
nome! Don't you see there Is a squall COM
ing up7"
Mrs. Grosvenor lifted her head, white
and Mortified.
''You mustn't leave, Miss Warren" :" she
whispered, feebly. ''Climb in and I will
take Lacy On my lap"
AND then' Josie's strange, awfully calm
answer.
"You are already overloaded. NV added
weight might swamp the boat. GO oni /
can be better spared than any of Won. if
God 80 wills. If there is time''-and her
sweet voice quivercd-'syou can send the
boat back for me, Berthe. If not, am not
afraid to die |"
The little boat crept laboredly off toward
land and safety, and happiness; and Josie
warren knew, with a deathly thrill of
something at her heart, that before it reach.
ed the shore, those cruel, crashing, seeth-
Ing waves, would have swept rolentlcssly
over Lily leland.
She sat down with calm that was ut
ter despair of hope. 1t was not fear-not
the fear that a craven coward feels, but
that shrinking from death and suffering the
DraVlest soldier experiences; and the
thought that she never would see Claude
Carey again, that she would pass ont of his
hle-perhaps only somewhat mourned.
And he would be with them all that
night. lie had told her when he was
Coming, when he had taken her in his
arms and kissed her; the day lie went back
to his duty to the sick.
That night And while he would be
there among them all, she would be lying
dcad, drowned, sea-weed in her hair
And a cold, icy-cold, shuddcr crcpt
nearer and nearer her heart that beat so
feebly. The foamy surf Numbered all
around the little spot of land that was
growing smaller 80 perceptlbly. The skies
grew is.scker and darker; the wind howled
and shrles,cd like demon. She dragged
herself up of the sands, where the water
had already met her feet, and crept dazed-
ly to wretched little rock. few feet
higher.
but it was of no use. The waves rose,
and rose, and rose, and she was alone with
the bitterness of death.
And then, with q prayer on her lips, she
shut her eyes and covered her fnce with
her hands, and when the cold waters close
ed nearer, nearer, her consciousness mGrci-
fully left her, and
While the little boat made the shore, and
Mrs. arosvenor staggered out on the beach
with ashcn lips and horror-stricken eyes.
"Get somebody to 90 back for Miss War
ren-quickl" she gaspcd. ''She is on Lilly
Island. l'll give you hundred dollars if
you'll bring her backi /"
She turned imploringly to a weather.
beaten old fisherman who had watchnd