Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-31
THEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER.
A PRETTY GOOD LOVE STORY.

y ~ iAIllOltoC Oll IL 1ONhN CO1N7O. OLAO-
side, thunder, lightning wind and rain
and great black waves dashing up
against the rocks and the foot of the
tower. Inside a winding flight of stairs
leading to an octagon-shaped room con
tanning the plainest furniture. The oc-
cupants, a girl of eighteen, tall and
1.-the, with black hair hanging in mas
sive braids to her waist and luminous
grey eyes under straight black brows
Her dress was of grey waterproof
cloth was short and scant, and
hung in wet folds about her limbs:
and strangest Of all girdles, coil Of
one end on the floor By her side a
boy Of fourteen years, with his blue
blouse open at the throat, and q faded
plush cap on his dark curls. These
two were bending over d man who lay
in all his magnificent length on the floor
A picturesque looking man, with fair
hair clinging in dripping masses to his
forehead a curling golden beard, and a
white firm throat, and one might be
persuaded that the closed lids with their
long fringes covered pair of steel blue
eyes.
"Reckon he's a goner, Liz" said the
boy, as he paused in his vigorous rub
bing ofthe mans hands.
The girl was forcing some liquor from
a tin cup between the blue lips and did
not answer directly: but when their
patient gave faintest the possible sigh,
she exclaimed joyfully "See, Neddie,
he breathes! Now wolk FAST" where
upon they both fell to rubbing him at
great rate.
When Allen McIntyre'opened his eyes
he looked about him cOnfusedly. The
odd little room, the girl with her black
braids and the boy looking so like hel
that one would at once recognize the
the relationship; the drenched condi
ton of all three, and the strange langol
through all his frame-what did i
mean? He closed his eyes YEARLY
and then the boy spoke up in his blnf
| fashion:
"You came near going under cap'n
but Lizzie pulled you out"
Then Mcintyre remembered all, and
languidly raised himself into Il sitting
| posture.
cit is too wild a night to be afoat in
a little craft like that" said the girl
making Il gesture seaward, where q
tiny boat had broken up an hour be.
fore.
at was fair when I left the shore,
replied the man. Il ventured further
than intended Then the wind went
down, and | could only drift until the
storm arose. l have a recollection OF
fierce rush Of wind and wave that
upset my boat, and blow on my head
probably from some part of the boat
as | went over"
"Yes," said the boy, "there came a
flash of lightning, and Lizzie and I
looking out, saw the boat capsize Sc
Lizzie caught rope and ran, and !
after her"
Were used to that sort of thing, eh
Lizzie?" Lizzie nodded and the boy
continued animatedly: "You see, my
father keeps the light, but he is sick
just now, so Lizzie and [ tend the
light-we always do when father is
sick or gone to the northumberland
we've pulled out more than one fellow
more than halt dead. Why"
"Never mind that, Neddie," inter
rupted his sister, gently, and the un-
spoken reproof in her voice had the
effect Of making the lad look some
what 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 there, where
the waves were tearing up like 10000
wild horses. And every time it tighten,
ed we could see you bObbing around
out there like Il piece of cork. We
were afraid of your striking against the
lodges, so Lizzie fastened one end oil
the rope about her waist and | held The
ether while she went straight in and
struck out for you"
Mcintyre uttered low exclamation,
and turned his gaze from Neddie to
Neddie's sister. The boy wagged his
head proudly,
All said he, with cleaning eye.
that's nothing for our Liz to dol She
caught you, and I pulled you both in.
But you're monstrous heavy! l thought
we'd never get you up stairs"
Mcintyre laughed as he rose rather
doubtfully to his feet.
II feel trife shakey," he said, and
en-, at Is easy to see that you are
brother and sister In am Allen Nc
Intyre, at your service, Miss Lizzie, y
and he bowed in fashion that gave
the lie to his declaration Of soakiness.
"Of course [ realize that you and your
gallant brother here have rendered me
Il great service-one for which you
shall not go unreWarded, although I
can never hope to fully recompense
you"
Lizzie raised her head haughtily.
"Sir, such work as we have done to-
night we do not for wages. If you feel
strong enough, l will walk with you to
the house. [ think the storm is pass
ing over. Our accommodations are
plain enough, but there is no other
house on the island"