St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-08-19

cried, letting out her own sail another
/ point, while she steered the do-y so as
| to intercept the others course. The
skltf had righted once more, but was
lurching wildly, and threatening to
capslze with every gust.
"Drop your sail"' she cried, excited
ly; but at that instant the skiif lay over
again. and Dare saw that this time it
would not come up. Dare had already
skillfully brought her boat up within IL
few yards of the skitf, and dropping her
sail, she now steered it close enough to
take in Tom and the girl, who, though
in the water, had succeeded in clinging
to the wreck.
"Well"' she exclaimed, when the two
We're safely on board. Tom Suydam,
should think you had lost all the little
sense you ever had"
For once Tom was humblcd
80, | say Dare" he cried. "don't
hit fellow when he's down. Just look
after my cousin Mollie, won't you?
She's all broke up. I'll sail the boat for
you," he added.
Dare gave him a warning look. 'I on
60 sit in the bow" she said. when |
ask you to sail boat for me guess
you Il know it. There's nothing to be
afraid OF now," she said, reassur.nrly,
turning to Toms cousin, who was shiv-
erng with fear and cold. "Only [
wonder you ever went out with him.
He doesn't even know how to row.
Take my coat she said, producing a
heavy Jacket from locker underneath
the seat. IS SHAH It needi it, and you re
just soaked through"
The impulsive little stranger threw her
arms around Dare neck and kissed her.
"1ou're a DEAR she said. Il
thought so the minute | laid eyes on
you-only [ supposed you were boy"
Dare laughed.
81 heard what YOU said.' she replied.
softly. 'Now if you will sit here with
me at the stern, it will trim the boat,
and we can make for home"
But the wind, with the uncertainty
of thunderstorm, had shifted further
to the north, and it was apparent even
to Mollie that they were being driven
far away from the Shoals.
"Why don't you hoist your sail,'
cried Tom, from his seat in the bow,
land steer for the Island? You'll 90
just then fresh squall drove the
boat ahead with such force that the wa
ter broke over the bow, and Tom was
for the time suppressed. Fortunately
the dory was stanch and seaworthy 1t
rode the waves lightly, and so long as
Dare could keep it before the wind she
had no fears of its capsizing. But ev-
cry breath of wind carried them further
away from home. Presently the rain
began to fall; and then Mollie. that
Dare might not be wet, insisted upon
covering her shoulders with the jacket
also.
"But never take cold,' Dare pro-
tested. Pm wet through half the
time when I'm out in the dory, and
dom know what it is to be SICK
But [ sha' n feel right unless YOU
take part of it, the other declared
"Tll sit close to YOU, dear, like this,
and there'll be enough for both of u.s."
So Dare did not resist. 1t was new
experience for her to be affectionately
treated, and she did not need the jacket
to make her feel warm. AS Mollie's
arm crept round her waist, and the
girls little head rested on her shoulder,
She felt that something had come to her
which all her life had lacked Leaning
over, she kissed the upturned forehead.
You're not frightened, dear:?'' she
asked
Just then sharp flash of lightning
forked across the sky, followed almost |
Immediately by deafening peal of
thunder. Mollie hid her face in Dare
dress.
80 yes. am" she cried; Sim aw-
fully frightened. Do you think the boat
can stand it, Dare9 Do you think we
will ever get home?'
Dare looked out toward the horizon.
The rain was falling even more heavily;
the wind was blowing steadily from the
north, and the darkness was shutting
down. 1t was an ngry-looking night,
and Dare had to fight hard to shake off
a thrill Of terror from herself,
"There's no danger, dear, she said,
bravely. ''Ive been out in heavier
blow than this, and so long as we can
keep her before the wind we're all right.
Only Pm afraid, Mollie. We'll have to
spend the night out here. But YOU
needn't mind that. You needn't even
be hungry. for I've got some biscuit and
a can OF water in the locker; and in the
morning we'n run in somewhere down
the coast. or, if the wind has changed,
come straight home. l wouldn't dare
put up the sail until after the storm is
over" she added.
They ate the biscuits and drank the
water; and then, as the night grew
darker and darker, and finally shut out
all surrounding objects, Dare insisted
that Tom and Mollie should &c to sleep
Tom could lie down in the bow, using
one of the seat cushions for pillow,
and Mollie in the stern. resting her head
in Dare's lap. Dare would watch, she
caid rCona 1x-ho nIlita 1as1,l LIZ, L. |