The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-08-03

II.
1t was many months later, and the
storms OF, perhaps, the widest winter
within living memory had descended
upon these Northern Midlands. For
day after day, and week after week,
there was scarcely break in the clouds
or pause in the gale. Wind and rain,
| wind and rain was the dreary record.
antil the lakes were swollen, the streams
impassable, and miles of low-lying
pasture-lands submerged.
Scarborough was not a pleasant place
under such circumstances. Upon the
very brightest heavens its huge manu-
featuring chimneys hung yellow blot;
and now the funeral-like pail of fog and
smoke lowered overhead in a perpetual
frown. Ada Carfit grew sick of it, and
betook herself on visit to her uncle at
Baysditch, five miles away. There it
rained still, it is true, and seemed likely
to rain. But Baysditch was in the open
country. and behind it were the Porley
Hills. The girl was better content,
and could grumble there with a sense
of less oppression.
Of Roger Herlestone, since her dis
missal of him, she had seen very little.
He was grown grayer and more reticent,
it appeared, than ever. And he had lately
been taken in as junior partner by Mars
ton & Marsh. That was all she knew
But somehow his face frequently haunt
ed her. He had looked SO resolute and
manly on those Porley Downs. She
even sighed, thinking of it.
Ada's own image, despite his utmost
efforts, was equally present with the
young manufacturer.
Il think l despise and hate her as
much as l once cared for her, he
told his brother; "but forget her l
can't
Fall in love with some one else,"
was Martins sage recommendation.
But Roger shook his head.
Not yet,' he said: Il have not suf-
ficient confidence in female goodness
since then. That was the greatest evil
the girl did me. She destroyed faith at
blow
"a stormy afternoon, Roger" said
his uncle. two days later. .'Do you
mind driving to North Fulton to see
about those missing orders? 1t will
be best for one of the firm to 60. as it is
Sucn uencate question.
u am perfectly willing, sir. am
not afraid of the weather in the least"
Better start at once"
$50 1 will. / shall be back, then, by
nightfall"
North Fulton was over the hills, ten
miles of. The young man was quickly
under weigh. He had to pass through
Baysditch, and he was aware of Ada
Carfit's presence there. But it was
nothing to him whether she saw him or
not The state of the roads was much
more serious consideration. How high
the waters were, and still rising! Many
houses in the valley were already isolat-
ed, and unless a speedy change took
place-of which, alasi there was no
symptom-the result aust inevitably be
grave disaster.
The wind lulled for an hour or two
while Roger transacted his business.
But it arose in redoubled fury as he
commenced his return Journey. Dark
ness added to the difficulty and the
danger of the route.
Turning sharply round a corner into
Baysditch Valley, Roger was hailed by
a terror-stricken voice behind him. He
pulled hastily up. a.
whats wrong?n he asked.
Pant, pant, pant! and then white
face with awed, dilated eyes cleaned
upon him in the mist,
s'Porley Dam be burstenr'
"No!-sure?" Roger comprehended
in an instant what that message meant,
and his accents We're as hoarse as the
strangers.
SAY; certain. 'Tis tearing through
t embankment like cataract. Co., G.,.,
bigger every minute ND ro.o a"..,4
Ston II - no jail
Then Baysditch must be flooded?,
''Yes. / be goin' to warn t."
,.Jump up here.p And Roger drove
as If for his own life, instead of other
peoples.
The alarm soon spread, and a scene
OF terror and confusion ensued which
might have APPALLED, the strongest. Wa
ter was swiftly rising in the single vii
lage street, and the mutter of the on
sweeping torrent grew louder every
minute. Homeless, and sadly deficient
IN both food and clothing, dozens of
families fled to the hillsides while there
was yet time
Where was Ada Carft lodging? Mil
ion Villa, old Luke Carft's home, was
some distance beyond the clustering
yillage-roofs, and Roger experienced
some delay in reaching it. The inmates,
only three in number besides the two
mald-serTants. We're but just alarmed.
ana Their retreat was cut off before
even Roger was aware of it. Ada was
as pale as death, but strangely calm
and self-possessed. Roger remember
afterwards how. at least once in that
hour OF awful peril, her eyes were fixed
on his as if they would read his very
soul But it was time for action and
not sentiment.
From the edge of the iawn-now the
bed Qt Q roaring syeam-the ground