The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-08-10

and good-humor.
H.
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 n 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 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 perpetual
frown. Ada Cartit 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 4 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 rs 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.
81 think I despise and hate her as
much as ] once cared for her. he
| told his brother; 'but forget her !
| 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-
| fcient 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 is
such a delicate question"
II am perfectly willing. sir. | am
| not afraid of the weather in the least
Better start at once
$50 will. / shall be back, then, by
nightfall."
North Fulton was over the hills, ten
miles Oil. 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. 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 as 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 wrong?' he asked.
Pant, pant, pant! and then white
face with awed, dilated eyes cleaned
upon him In the mist.
"Porley Dam be bursten!''
"No!-sure?' Roger comprehended
in an instant what that message meant,
and his accents were as hoarse as the
strangers.
cay; certain. IT'S tearing through
6 embankment like cataract Gettin'
bigger every minute, and noane can't
stop it."
''Yes. be goin' to warn 't.''
"Jump up here 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 Carfit lodgingp Mil
| ton Villa, old Luke Carfit's home, was
| some distance beyond the clustering
| village-roofs, and Roger experienced
only three in number besides tie two
maid-servants, 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
| 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 ii was time for action and
not sentiment.
| From the edge of the lawn-now the
bed of roaring stream-the ground
| trended gently away to the uplands. and
| there the only hope lay. 1t was more
! than probable that the house would give
| way under the avalanche OF wafer
| which had still to descend. ''Porley
| Dam was the current designation of
the reservoir that supplied all Shar-
borough.
Roger HeTlestone swan across with
his horse and turned the animal loose.
Then, estimating as best he could the
distance and his own powers, he return
ed and briefly explained his plan. There
was no boat within reach. Each MEM
ber of the household must trust to him;
and he would return for each. 1t was
proposed that Ada should 90 first; but
she refused, and time was TOO precious
to be spent in haggling. Mrs. Cartit
| and her husband and the maids were all
saved thus; and, nearly exhausted, Roger
went back for the obstinate girl who
still fingered. whether die or live,
this shall be my revenge he muttered
| to himself.
Ada was in his arms now, and the
cross-current running heavily against
him. 1t was desperate struggle, and
growing every instant more dangerous
by reason of uprooted trees and other
wreckage, that came swiftly down the
valley.
Would he succeedp How the specta-
tors held their breath and trembled! At
last. with faint "Hurrahr' he made
ferrc ,firn.a with his burden. But then
ha tainted. and fpf the first time the
rescued hensehala observed MAI he was