The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-08-05
THE KEEPERS DAUGHTER.


and great black waves dRshing up against
the rocks at the foot Of the tower. In
side, winding fight of stairs leading to
an octogon shaped room containing the
plainest furniture. The occupants, a girl
Of eighteen, tall and 1.-the, with black
/ hair hanging in massive braids to her
waist, and luminous grey eyes under
straight black brows. Her dress Of gray
waterproof cloth was short and scant, and
hung in wet folds about her limbs: and
strangest Of all girdles, a coil Of rope en-
/ circled her waist and trailed one end on
the floor. By her side boy Of fourteen
years, with his blue blouse open at the
/ throat, and a faded plush cap on his dark
curls. These two were bending over
man who lay all his magnificent length
on the floor. A picturesque looking man,
with fair hair clinging IN dripping mass
es to his forehead; curling golden beard
be persuaded that the closed lids with
their long fringes covered pair Of steel
blue eyes.
Reckon he's goner, Liz, said the
boy. as lie paused in his vigorous rub
bing of the mans hands.
The girl was forcing some liquor from
a tin cup between the blue lips, and did
not answer directly; but when their pa
tient gave the faintest possible sigh, she
exclaimed joyfuIlY: "Soe, Neddie, he
breathes! Now work fast" whereupon
they both fell to rubbing him at q great
rate.
When Allen Mcintyre opened his eyes
he looked about him confusedIy. The
odd little room, the girl with her black
braids, and the boy looking so much like
her that one would at once recognize the
relationship; the drenched condition of
all three, and the strange langur through
all his frame-what did it all mean! He
closed his eyes wearily, and then the boy
spoke out in his bluff fashion:
"You came near going under, captain,
but Lizzie pulled you out"
Then Mcintyre remembered all, and
languidly raised himself into sitting
posture.
cit IS too wild a night to be afoat in a
little craft like that, said the girl, MAX
ing II gesture seaward, where a tiny boat
had broken up an hour before.
cit was fair when left the shore, re-
piled the man. 81 ventured further than
l intended. Then the wind went down,
ana [ could only drift until the storm.
l have a recollection of fierce rush Of
wind and wave that upset my boat. and
a blow on my head, probably from some
part OF the boat as I went over"
"Yes. said the boy, "there came a
flash of lightning, and Lizzie and I, look
ing out, saw the boat capsize. so Lizzie
caught a rope and ran, and I after her.
"We're used to that sort of thing, eh,
Lizzie!" Lizzie nodded and the boy con-
tinued animatedly, "you see, my father
keeps the light, but he is sick just now,
so Lizzie and I tend the light-we
always do when father is sick or goes to
the mainland, and we've pulled out more
than one fellow more than half dead.
Why"
"Neyer mind that, Neddie," interrupt
ed his sister, gently, and the unspol1en
reproof in her voice had the effect Of MAX
ing the lad look somewhat shame-faced as
he went back to the first part of his story.
"Well, sir, We ran down the slope at
the side of the cliff out here, where the
waves were tearing up like 10, 900 wild
horses. And every time it lightened we
could see you bobbing round out there
like piece of cork. We were afraid of
Your striking against the lodges, SO Liz
zie fastened one end of the rope about
hor waist and held the other, while she
went straight in and struck out for you"
Mcintyre uttered low exclamation,
and turned his gaze from Neddie TO Ned
dies sister. The boy wagged his head
proudly.
"Ah,' said he, with cleaning eye,
''that's nothing for our Liz to do! She
caught you, and l pulled You both in,
but you're monstrous heavy! thought
we'd never get you up stairs,
| Mcintyre laughed as he rose rather
doubtfully to his feet.
Il feel tritie shaky," he said, and
then ct is easy TO see that you are broth
er and sister. am Allen Mcintyre, at
your service, Miss Lizzie, and he bowed
in a fashion that gave the lie to his de-
claration Of shakiness. "Of course /
realize that You and your gallant brother
here have rendered ne q great service
one for which you shall not so unreward.
ed, although can never hope to fully
reoompense you"
Lizzie raised her head haughtily.
"Sir, such work as we have done to-
night, we do net &c for wages. II fyou
feel strong enough / VIII walk with you
to the house. l think the storm is pass
ing over. We live a quarter of mile
from the light. Our accommodating
are plain enough but there is no other
house or The island.
80, am as good as new, now" said
| Mcintyre. Bat viii you leave this boy
/ here au alonel"
! She smiled.
/ "Ned is not afraid, and he can tend
I the light as well rs L"
VERY well, L will so with You
| He waved smiling adieu to the hoy,
and followed his guide down the narrow
stairway.
/ Two days later small s.'l boat put out
/ from the island. which, when i returned,