The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-08-18
III.

WlCnln nVlng memory nau 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,
until the lakes were swollen, the streams
impossible, and miles of low-lying
pasture-lands submerged.
Scarborough was not apleasant place
under such circumstances. Upon the
very brightest heavens its huge manu-
featuring chimneys hung a yellow blot;
and now the funeral-like pail of fog and
smoke lowered overhead in 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 graver 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.
II think l despise and hate her as
much as l once cared for her." he
told his brother; 'but forget her 1
can't"
Fall in love with some one else,"
was Martins sage recommendation.
But Roger shook his head.
'Not yet" he said; II 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 90, as it il
such a delicate question"
81 am perfectly willing, sir. l am
not afraid of the weather in the least"
'Better start at once"
$50 l will. l shall be back, then, by
nightfall."
North Fulton was over the hills, ten
miles off. The young man was quickly
under weigh. He had to pass through
Baysditch, and he was aware of Ada
Carfits 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 risingl Many
houses in the valley were already isolat-
ed, and unless a speedy change took
place-of which, alas! there was no
symptom-the result must inevitably be
grave disaster.
The wind lulled for an hour or two
while Roger transacted his business.
But it arose in redoubled fury rs he
commenced his return Journey. Dark
ness added to the difficulty and the
danger of the route.
Turning sharply round corner into
Baysditch Valley, Roger was hailed by
terror-stricken voice behind him. He
pulled hastily up.
whats wrongp" he asked.
Pant, pant, pant! and then a white
face with awed, dilated eyes cleaned
upon him in the mist.
"Porley Dam be burstenr'
"No!-surep" Roger comprehended
in an instant what that message meant,
and his accents were as hoarse as the
SAY; certain. IT'S tearing through
& embankment like cataract. Gettin'
bigger every minute, and noane can't
stop it,
''Then Baysditch must be foodedp"
eyes. be goin' to warn It."
slump up here" And Roger drove
as If for his own life, instead of other
peoples.
The alarm soon spread, and 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 Carfit lodging? Mil
ton Villa, old Luke Carfit's home, was
some distance beyond the clustering
village-roofs, and Roger experienced
some delay in reaching 1t. The inmates,
only three in number besides the two
were but Just alarmed,
and 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 remembered
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 q time for action and
not sentiment.
From the edge of the lawn-now the
bed of q roaring stream-the ground
trended gently away to the uplands, and
there the only hope lay. 1t was moro
than probable that the house would give
way under the avalanche of water
which had still to descend. "Porley
Dam" was the current designation of
the reservoir that supplied all Shar-
borough.
Roger Herlestono swan across with