Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-07-13
That evening Janet Harris learned

child stolen while staying with her
brother, Mr.. Bridgnorth. The nurse
had taken it out as usual, and all that
she remembered was That she had sat
down under tree while the child
played about. Overcome by the heat,
she fell asleep.
at was lovely little thing" con-
Guided Harry Bridgnorth. "The only
conclusion we could arrive at was that
it had been stolen by the gypsies. My
poor aunt would have it that it was
the hop pickers, for it was the hop
picking season, and her brain gave way
beneath her sorrow. When the mop
gathering time has arrived, she walks
through the grounds hoping she shall
find her child"
| "Poor lady," murmured Janet. at
must be hard indeed to lose one YOU
| love-"
Harry Bridgnorth looked hesitatinp.
ly down at ner as, seated on portico
of rock, she gazcd seward. Then,
bending nearer, he said: "And you have
never loved, Janet?'
She did not take the question in the
meaning he intended.
Shaking her bead, she replied, sadly,
| "Never who had / to lover"
He bent over her, his hand on hers.
"BU., Janet, you are capable of love,
surely, yes?'
She looked quickly up at him, waves
of color dyeing her cheeks, and strove
to free her hand.
"You must hear mel must speak"
continued Mr.. Harry Bridgnorth, ex-
citedly, passionately. "Janet, l love
youl"
He strove to place his arm around
her waist; but, preventing him, Janet
| Morris rose. Inwardly she was agitated,
but her voice, her manner, were calm
and self possessed.
Hush, Mr.. Bridgnorth," she said :;
"you must not talk so to me-"
"And why not?" he pleaded.
Because the love | need, you must
not give; and the love you may, I will
not except"
''The love l give you is honorable
and true!" he cried; but she checked
him.
Hush" she repeated; eve will part
now. You do not consider what you
say. When we meet again you will
have had time to reflect"
"Dut not to che ge," he exclaimed
rs she moved away.
Janet determined to return to Lon
don on the morrow, but before leaving
she would take last long look at the
sea- and in the morning she stole away
from the fairgrounds into the lane
leading to the shore.
She had no fear of meeting any one
at that hour.
On reaching the sands she gazed
breathlesS with admiration. She had
never seen the sea, which was tumbling
rapidly in, with the sunshine dancing
on the waves as now. How beautiful
it was.
As she stood a piercing scream broke
the stiffness turning, she beheld on
the rocks OF headland close by, the
mad lady. The waves were stealing
up around the base, and had surprised
her.
The water as yet was shallow, and
Janet dashed through the waves and
climed to Mrs. Auckland's side.
"Do'not fear there is no danger" she
exclaimed, soothingly. "Come with me,
we can pass through"
But the mad woman, her wild look
riveted on the rising water, refused to
stir. Fear was on her; she had even
ceased to scream. All the heed she
paid to Janet was to grasp her tightly
with one hand, and point with the other
to the rapidly rising sea.
'Look, look !" she screamed; don't
leave me They are coming. coming
It's death Oh, Mabel, Mabel
In vain Janet implored, entreated,
threatened tie madwoman would not
| stir. The girl saw that the sea was
| swirling round the rocks soon it would
be impossible to wade through it, yet
she could not leave the poor mad
woman, and called loudly for help.
The sound of her cries startled her
companion; she turned, gazed wildly
at Janet, then, with shrill scream
ending in hysterical laughter, fell in
sensible on the girls bosom. Janet
perceived that her case was now des-
perate. She had no strength to drag
hTS. huChianu tnTDuSu tHe waves, she
could hardly support her. Already
the water broke upon their feet.
Her brain reeled. All, tits terrible
thing to die thus. Yet the girls beau.
tiful face was firmly set. She waited
| death rather than leave the mad
woman,
Again and again Janet raised her
voice Hark Was that Il shout? Yos
yes; and there was the sound of oars.
A moment later q boat shot around the
headland.
There perilous position had been
seen by Harry Bridgnorth from the
heights, and he vas one of the rowers.
Courage, courage, Janet morrisw
he called, and seeing him she feared no
longer. Silently she waited, and lent
her aid to assist the madwoman into
the boat; then, her hand in her lovers,
followed. But after that her strength
failed, and she tainted.
1t WAS Mrs, Auckland who first re-
covered. Sitting up, gazing wildly