The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-12-06

MY name IS Sanford, ne SAID,
quietly. Ray Sanford, | live
nile above the beach | am accus
toned to the lake; | spend half my
time upon it. know all the boats;
the one 20 have chosen is unwnr-
thy. If you goout in her you will
certainly be drowned"
He put on his hat and walked
AWAY without another word. He was
proud, too; it was very easy to see
that.
| glanced at Kathleen. She did
not see me; her eyes were bent upon
the graceful figure in its coarse dress,
moving away down the shining
sands.
saw her clench her hands and
set her teeth together. and then her
gaze encountered mine, and then,
starting slightly, she forced weak
smile.
"Are you ready, ladies ?"
Arthur Fanshawe's voice broke
the silence.
Are you going in that boat ?"
inquired Kathleen.
TO he sure. | am not foolish
enough to pay any heed to the croak-
lings Of yonder elodhOppers. I'll
teach him that I, too. understand
managing boat if | do not spend
half my time on the lake"
You are careless in yourepithets,
Mr.. Fansbawe," observed Kathleen.
frigidly-" mistaken likewise. Mr..
Sanford is a gentleman
"You have the honor of his ac-
quaiutance, it seems"
Kathleen's eyes flashed, but she
controlled her anger.
''He taught me to row." she an
syered, and said no more.
But she said enough to set me
thinking.
Well. we yielded to the ruling pow
er: and soon. seated in the pretty
boat. were dancing merily over the
water, far away and soon out of
sight of land.
1t was perfect dav, and, full Of
life and gayety, we bad forgotten all
about vonng Sanford's warming,
when suddenly there was low ex-
clnmation Of horror from Kathleen:
The boat i. filling with water! !
do believe we are sinking J"
II was too true.
The boat leaked at every seam
the water was pouring in; soon we
would he beyond the reach OF hu-
man aid.
| shall never forget that hour as
long a. live.
Fanshawe. lived with fear, crouch
I'd in the bow Of the boat and uttered
never a word.
Mrs. Langley wrung her hands
and alternately shrieked and moan
ed-now praying and now her voice
drowned in a storm of sobs and
tars.
Kathleen sat like statue of stone,
her hands folded, her eyes bent on a
srot far away.
On we drifted. The boat was rap
idly filling; it was more than half
full.
crept to Kathleen and put my
arms around her.
"Kathie! Kathie! ~ | cried. we
must die. Is it not dreadful?"
s'There are worse fates on earth,
she answered, her pale lips scarcely
seeming to move, and still her brown
ewes watched that tiny speck as it
grew large; a man in a boat-a mar
bending all his energies to orertake
us.
A strange smile touched Kath-
leen's lips.
Raw she muttered. as though
she had forgotten our presence, Ray.
| knew YOU would come !"
1t was, indeed, Ray Sanford, and
he was rowing with the strength of
a giant and the energy of a man de-
termined to win or die.
He reached us at last-not a Sec
ond too soon. aroused Mrs. Lang
ley from a fit of incoherent sobhing
aud circulating, and pointed TO our
rtscuer.
He stood up in his boat and had
Kathleen in his arms in an instant.
Then he turned TO Mrs Langley and
me.
Fanshawe followed us, and soon
we were all safe in his bnat-saved
from dreadful death
Not word was spoken during the
long run home. Kathleen never
looked at Ray; she seemed uncon-
scious of his presence.
When we reached the shore she
dropped from the boat unassisted,
as though she did not see the young
mans proffered hand.
Faushawe. safe on shore, was him.
self again. Turning to Sanford be
took a bank note from his pocket
and rendered it 70 the kind young
man.
Here said he, in cold, insult
ing tone, you've helped US out of a /
scrape; allow me to-"
But he never finished.
Ray Sanford struck the money
from his hand, and then, without q
word. strobe eff down the shining
beach. After that We saw him no
more
The time for our departure for
home drew nigh.
Kathleen had grown pale and
thin during these da;s. Her eyes
we're unnaturally bright, and her