The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-03

into the little sail boat he had nam
cd in her honor, the yachting dress
of dark blue fitting closely to the
eXquisitely outlined figure, and on
the golden braids nestled a coquet-
tish sailor hat. Fifteen minutes lat
er splendid breeze had carried
them far outinto 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 as sal
lors, which is it, Miss Fay ?"
'Do you appeal to me as the spir
it OF the storm cloud ? Ifso, Ishall
call upon it to ayenge me-" lie an
swered her simply by look. but It
caused her eyes 10 droop.
She stretched cne little white
hand down 70 the waters edge,
watching the current resist it as the
boat sped onward.
80" he mused, "am I resisting
the voice Of my heart-so must /
resist to the end
They spoke but little. They were
alone and together-around them
water, above them the sky, beneath
them grave. And both were young
and in each heart the same voice
was speaking yet their lips were
sealed. Thus an hour passed, when
suddenly Rcydon tackled.
"What are you doing" cried Fay,
in a tone of disappointment. Sure
ly we are not Going home ?"
Il wish to God we were already
there" answered her companion,
with a blanched cheek, Just as lit
lie breath OF wind, fresher than they
had felt, blew upon them. 'Don't
be frightened, Miss Fay" continued
Rovdon, reassuringly. "It's one Of
those treacherous squalls. We're in
for it, but I'll do the best / can"
Cant l help you ~
The man glanced up amazed. She
neither cried nor groaned. There
was no tremor in her tone. His |
cheek was winter than hers.
''Pshaw she does not realize the
danger he said mentally. "Can
YOU hold this ?" handing her q rope |
as he spoke.
The next moment the sqall struck |
them. The little yacht lay fully on |
its side, then righted itself.
Fay's lips were a little pale now,
but no sound escaped them, only |
she had held 50 tightly to the rope, |
spite Of its resistance, that il had 81
ready cut into the tender flesh
The storm was now fully upon /
them. 1t was fierce as it was sud
den. They were drenched with wa
ter. They could no longer see each |
other for the spray. !
PAY" cried Roydon, ARE you
frightened ?"
"With you ?" sheanswercd. .'No,"
and her tone was firner than his |
own.
The next moment the boat, struck
by q sharper blast than the first,
went over. Both found themselves /
clinging to its sides.
Fay, tell me" he said, that you (
forgive me for this. Oh, child, must I
we die when life holds SO much
sweetness ?h
The storm won't last long. We
may vet be saved" she answered.
in her sweet voice; "but, Roydon, if
/ slip, don't try to save me. 1t viii
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 real
lied their meaning.
Live it then, for my sake, dear
replied the girl, "and remember, al
ways, had ] nv choice, l would
have chosen TO have died thus with
you than to have lived on without
you. My love, goodbye
The next instant the waters bad
caught her, and torn her bleeding
hands, all cut by the rope, from their
slight hold but Major Howard had
spoken words Of no idle meaning
when he asked her what his life
would be without her.
Quick as the current, in its hun
Try greed for its beautiful prey, he
threw about her his protecting arm.
Then, rs though heaven smiled, the
winds ceased as suddenly as they
mad arisen, and the sun burst forth
rom its hiding, showing the rescue
which was bearing down upon
hem.
MAY see you, if but for five
?" were the words scrawled
IN the card Fay held a few hours
ater, in her bandaged hands. as she
av upon her couch, very pale and /
Exhausted, but with a heart full Of
yratitude for her wonderful escape,
lwaiting him who had penned the
words.
How well she knew the quick,
step which hcralded his
coming. Her check flushed, as he
;trode impetuously into the room.
Il could not sleep before seeing
you," he said. "My brave girl
low little ] knew you I thought
because you were beautiful there
,ould be 40 courage in your soul -
hat because your hands were small
md soft and white they could have +
40 strength. Dear little hands,"
.aking them tenderlv in his own,
they helped to save our lives to-
lay, Fay, win you give them TO me.
larling? VIII you he a soldiers