The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-11

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fish sailor hat. Fifteen minutes later q
splendid breeze had carried them far out
into the lake.
"The storm has concluded to postpone
itself in our special favor" said Roydon,
glancing up at the blue sky, "or perhaps
they don't think soldiers should be too
severely tried us sailors. Which is it
Miss Fay"
"Do you appeal to me as tue spirit of
the storm cloud If so, shall call on
it to avenge me-.
He answered simply by look, but it
caused her eyes to droop.
She stretched the little white hand
down to the waters edge, watching the
current resist it as the boat sped onward.
80" he unused, II am resisting the
voice of my heart; SO must I resist to the
end"
They spoke but little. They were alone
and together-around them water, above
them the sky, beneath them q grave.
And both were young and in each heart
the same heart was speaking; yet their
lips were sealed. Thus an hour passed,
when suddenly Roydon tackled.
"What are you doing?" cried Fay in
tone of disappointment. ''Surely we're
not gong none!
81 wish to God we were already there"
ansered her companion with blanched
cheek, Just as little breath of wind,
fresher than any they had felt, blew upon
them. Don't be frightened, Miss Fay,
Its one of those treacherous squalls.
We're in for it, but will do the best I
can"
Cant 1 help you?"
The man glanced up amazed. She
neither cried nor groaned. There was
no tremor in her tone. His cheek was
winter than was hers.
"Pshaw, she did not realize the dan
GER" he said, mentally. "Can you hold
this ?" he continued. handing her a rope
as he spoke.
The next moment the squall struck
them. The little yacht lay fully on its
side, then righted again.
Fay's lips were little pale now, but
no sound escaped them, only she had
held so tight to the rope, spite Of his
resistance, that it had already cut into
her tender flesh.
The storm was now fully upon them.
1t was fierce as it was sudden. They were
drenched with water. They could no
longer see each other for the spray.
cay" cried Roydon, ''are you fright
ened?''
"With YOUR she answered. "No,"
and her tone then become frmer than his
own.
The next moment the boat struck by a
sharper blast than first, went over. Both
found themselves clinging to its side.
"Fay, tell me-" he said, that you for
give me for this. Oh, child, must we
die when life holds so much sweetness?'
1.-The storm won't last long. We may
yet be saved" she answered, in her
sweet young voice, ''but Roydon, if l
slip, don't try to save me. 1t will only
lose two lives, and mine is not worth as
much as yours"
"My God, without you, what would
mine be?"
The words escaped him ere he realized
their meaning.
Live it. then, for my sake, dear, Fay
replied, land remember, always, had
my choice, 1 would have chosen to have
died thus with you than to have lived on
without you. My love, goodbye"
The next instant the waters had caught
her torn and bleeding hands, all cut by
the rope, from their slight hold, but
Major Howard had spoken words with
no idle meaning when he had asked her
what his life would be worth without
her.
Quick as the current in its hungry
greed for its hungry prey, be threw
about her his protecting arm. Then, as
though heaven smiled, the winds ceased
as suddenly as they had risen, and the
sun burst forth from its hiding place,
showing the rescue which was bearing
down upon them.
MAY see you, if but for five min
utes?" were the words scrawled on the
card Fay held few hours later, in her
bandaged hands, as she laid upon her
couch, very pale and exhausted, but with
heart full of gratitude for her wonder
full escape, awaiting him who had penned
the words.
| How well she knew the quick, impa-
tent step which heralded his coming.
Her cheek flushed as he strobe impetu-
ously into the room.
IT could not sleep before seeing you"
he said. "My brave girl! how little
knew you! thought because you were
beautiful there conll be no courage in
your soul that because your hands were
small and soft and white they could have
no strength. Dear little hands, taking
them tenderly in his own, "they helped
to save our lives to-day. Fay, will you
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