Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-02-02

arranged Inelr hooks anu lines, ana
forgot everything but the happiness of
the moment, the blue sky, the distant
groups Of children playing on the
shore, the pleasant air, and the de-
lghtful prospect of two hours fishing.
Presently they were aroused from
their careless talk by feeling the boat
move. They were very much startled
when again it lurched slightly, and
then touched the sand with a grating
sound.
"Oh, KateP' cried Edith, seizing her
sisters hand. "What is it?"
Again the boat moved more decided
ly. and the water rushed round it with
a gurgling sound.
"I do believe" cried Kate, throwing
aside her line, "the tide is close to us !
Father said it was coming in. Oh,
why did he leave usp What can he
be doingY"
And she started up with her wonted
energy and impulse. rhe boat gave a
roll as she moved, and she again fell
forward. nearly upsetting her sister as
she did so. Edith gave a scream and
clung TO her.
"Katel KateV she cried, 1--WE shall
be taken out to sea, and no one can
save usl And Sam said the weather
would change. There will be storm 7"
she almost shrieked, "and we shall be
drowned. o fatherl fatherT
The cries and sobs Of poor Edith
aroused Kate's stronger spirit. The
boat was by this time completely
flOated, and she was wrought to pitch
Of nervous excitement in its way as
OverpOwering as Edith's.
"Whatever we do, it must be quickly
DONE" she thought; and they were yet
more terrified as the incoming tide
rolled larger wave under the boat,
lifting IL higher in the water; so high,
that this time 1t lid not touch the sand
again.
Edith" she said; mo one can hear
us here. see nothing of Sam and
father does not come. We had better
get out while we can, and run to shore.
Come, Edith. conner she exclaimed,
catching Edith by the wrist in her ex.
citement; 1--WE can do it nowi In an
other minute it will be too late, the
boat will be out at sea-"
mo Kate. cannot, cried her sister,
sobbing bitterly. "I cannot do i'll Let
60 my hand, shall fall backwards if
you drag me So"
"Come this instantP' cried Kate
climbing over the boats side as she did
so. Edith, comer'
Father told us not TO stir, whatever
happened" cried her sister. IL must
do as he said, Kate. Won't you stay,
| tOOY"
But Kate, who was hanging to the
side of the beat, had now no choice
but to let herself drop as the swaying
of the water lifted it up. Her feet
were in the water and she felt the
beach. Just then as she TUNED to run
ashore. she saw her father beckoning
her to stay where she was, and run.
ming at full speed down the pathway
on the cliff. She called to him with all
her strengh, and found too late how
foolish she had been to leave the boat
The tide was coming in rapidly, and
n long, swirling wave lifted her off her
feet, and she lost her balance and fell
to the ground.
In her fall Kate's feet had become
entangled in a long wreath of seaweed,
and she was thrown against a sharp
stone, which grazed her forehead
The poor girl tainted and knew moth.
ing more until she found herself in
bed, in the little room which she and
Edith shared together.
"EdithP" was the first word she ut
cred.
Edith sprang forward with an ex
clamation of JOY at hearing her sister:
voice. Capt. Graham then drew near
and stopped to kiss her.
"Well, Kate" he said, "what fright
you gave poor Sam and mel Whai
were you thinking about"
"Father-the sea-the boatp she
said in fearful voice.
"The boat. silly little grill" said hel
father, smiling. "Why did you no
know that it was fastened to a stake
Did you think that /, OF Sam, either
would have left you in a boat, un
moOred, with the tide coming in, t
drift out to sea alone?"
Just then Kate saw her mother
standing close by, looking both sad anC
pale, for she had been much frightened
when Kate was brought home insen
sible. A flood of recollections cam,
over poor Kate, and she burst int
tears.
"Mother," she said. raising her head
from the kind encircling arms tha
were round her. "4fter all, Edith, wht
never thinks OF says anything abou
being brave. was real hersine to-day
She sat still. and stayed where fathe
told her, and was frightened and RAJ
away"
"Never mind. my Kate; next tim
you will say to yourself Deeds, no
words" and 1 will have two heroine
in my family"