The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-10-28

Ter, ABOVE them the SKY. DcneaLn Lneni
a grave. And both were young, and
in each heart the same voice was speak
ing; yet their lips were sealed.
Thus an hour passed, when suddenly
ROydon tackled.
"What arc you dOingp" cried Fay,
In tone of disappointment. Surely,
we're not going homer"
81 wish to God we were already
thcre!' answered her companion, with
n blanched check. just as a little breath
of wind, fresher than any they had felt,
blew upon them. don't be fright
encd, Miss Fay" continued Roydon,
assuringly. "lt's one of those treach-
erous squalls. We're in for it, but I'll
do the best can"
Cant help your
The man glanced up amazed. She
neither cried nor grOaned. There was
no tremcr in her tone. His cheek was
whittier than hers.
''Pshaw! she does not realize the
danger" he said, mentally. "Can
you hold thisp" handing her rope as
he spoke.
The next moment the squall struck
them. The little yacht lay fully on its
side, then righted itself.
Fay's lips were little pale now, but
no sound escaped them, only she had
held so tightly to the rope, spite of its
resistance, that it had already cut into
the tender flesh.
The storm was now fully upon them.
II was fierce rs it was sudden. They
were drenched with water. They could
no longer see each other for the spray.
Gay" cried Roydon. ''you are fright
ened."
with you?" she answered. "No."
and her tone was firmer than his own.
The next moment the boat. struck
by sharper blast than first, went over.
Both found themselves clinging to its
sides.
"Fay, tell me-" he said, "that you
forgive me for this. o. child, must we
die when life holds so much sweetness?"
THE storm won't last long. We
may yet be saved" she answered, in
her sweet young voice; but, Roydon, if
slip don't try to save me. 1t will on
as much as yours"
"My God! without you, what would
mine be?"
The words escaped him ere he real
lied their meaning.
1.-Two it, then, for my sake, DEAR"
Fay replied; "and remember, always,
had my choice, would have chosen
to have died thus with you, rather 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
hadi asked her what his life would DO
worth without her.
Quick as the current, in its hungry
greed for its beautiful prey. he threw
about her his protecting arm.
Then, rs though heaven smiled, the
winds ceased as suddenly as they had
risen, and the sun burst from its hiding
place, showing the rescue which was
bearing down upon them.
"May see you, if for but five min
utesPn were the words scrawled on q
card Fay held few hours later, in her
bandaged hands, rs she lay upon her
couch, very pale and exhausted. but
with heart full of gratitude for her
wonderful escape, awaiting him who
had penned the words.
How well she knew the quick, impa-
tient step which heralded his coming.
Her check flushed rs he strobe inn
petuously into the room.
Il could not sleep before seeing
you," he said. "Nly brave girl! how
little l knew you! 1 thought because
you were beautiful there could 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 ten
derby in his own. 'They helped TO
save our lives to-day. Fay, will you
give them to me, darling? Will you
be soldiers wife, and teach him, my
own sweet love, some of the bravery
that only such women as you can teach
to men?"
II owe you my life," she whispered.
eff debt so rich will receive payment
so poor, takeit, Roydon; it is yours"