The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-04-17


safe She has been for some tim'
out Of repair. ] fear you will NEE
with an accident ii you so out ii
her."
| A young man stood at Kathleen
side, Il tall, slender man, with
face like n picture, with great slum
brous dark eyes, and IL nalEeles;
grace and fascination about him
But his dress was course and com
mon, and his hands wes EN-
Drowned with toll. With tha
wonderful face, and figure like
some rare old statue, lie was only
fisherman, after all.
Kathleen's face was flushed, ant
she glanced up timidIy. But betort
she could say word Mr.. Fanshawc
turned upon the intruder with Q
cool stare OF insolcnce.
"Nyhas do you mcan?" he de
manded, rudely. SLOW dare you
interfere in my ailairs?"
The young man raised his hat,
with a graceful bow.
"My name is Stanford" he said,
quictly-"Ray Stanford. | live a
mile away, OH the beach. | am ac.
customct[ to tho lake; I spend half
my time upon it. | know allthesc
boats; the one you have chosen is
unscaworthy. If you 90 out in her
you will certainly be drowned"
lie put on his hat, and walked
away without another word or look.
He was proud, too; it was easy to
see that.
glanced at Kathleen. She did
not see me; her eyes we're bent
upon the graceful figure, in its
coarse dress, moving away down
the shining sands. | saw her
cIench her hands and set her white
teeth close together; then her gaze
encountered mine, and starting
slightly she forced u smile.
"Arc you ready, !adies?"
Mr. Fanshawe's cold voice broke
the silence,
"Are you going in that boat, Mr..
Fanshawe?" inquired Kathleen:
$40 be sure. | am moi foolish
enough to pay any heed 10 the
cronking Of yondcr clod-hoppor.
I'll teach him that |, too, under
stand managing !; boat il 1 do not
spend half my timo upon the
lake,
"You are careless in your cpl.
tllets, Mr.. Fanshawe," observed
Kathleen, frigilly-"mistaken like
wise. Mr.. Stanford is II gentle
manl'
"You have The honor Of his ac-
quaintance, it seems"
Kathlccn's eyes flashed, but she
controlled her anger.
"lIe taught me to row. she an
swcred, briefly; then she said no
more.
But she said enough 10 sci me
thinking.
"WrII, we yielded to the ruling
power, and, soon seated in the
pretty boat, were dancing ncrrily
over tI.e water, fur away, and soon
out OF sight of land. II was Il per-
feet day ;und full Of lifo and gayety
We hal forgotten all about Young
Stanlord's warning, when suddenly
there was Il low exclamation Of hOr-
ror from Kathleen:
"The boat is filling with watcrl'
she cried. II do believe we are
sinking!'
1t was too true. The hoat leaked
nj every seam; the cold water was
pouring in; soon We woald he
beyond the reach Of human aid.
I shall never forget that hour as
long rs | live! Fanshawe, livil
with fear, crouched in the bow OF
the boat and uttered never q word.
Mrs. Langley wrung her hands and
alternately shrieked and moanrd-
now PRAYING, and now her voice
drowned in Il storm Of sObs and
tears. Kathleen sat like Il statue
Of stone, her hands folded, her eyes
bent upon Il spot far away.
On, on we drifted. The boat was
rapidly filling; it was moro than
half full. | crept close 10 Kath-
lecn and put my arm around her.
"EathiG -Kathie!" !" ! cried. i've
must die! Is it not dreadful"
"'l'here are worse fates than
DEATH she answered, her pale lips
scarcely seeming 10 move, and still
her brown eyes watched that tiny
speck as it grew larger; n man in
n boAt--a man bending all his ell
ergies to reach lis.
A strange smile touched kath'
lecn's lips.
"Ray," she muttered, as though
she had forgotten our presence
"Ray, | knew you would come y
1t was indeed Ray Stanford, and
he was rowing with the strength o.
II giant and tho energy Of u man de
termined 10 win or die.
He reached us Mt last-not {
second too soon. | reused Mrs
Langley from n fit Of incoherent
sOhhirtt and eieruIntinr and noiut,