The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-19

o"iJ . Suoilloll, oo Cdll 1, !, Sdltl ulllllI-
less Octavia, keeping her face resolutely
away from the furious waves that boil
ed and ragged below, lest perchance it
should render her giddy.
"And how astonished they will be
when they see me waving my handker-
chief to them from the dizzy peak"
Long before the cold fowls, chicken
salad and sandwiches were spread upon
the grass the captain came up from the
steamer.
''Ladies and gentlemen, " said he, "I
am sorry to spoil sport, but there's 4
squall brewin' if ever there was one,
and We'll all be safer we'll out at sea,
than on these ragged points of rock, es-
pecially as the tide is COMM in a deal
faster than we calculated on.
$50 if you'll step lively, shall be
particularly Obliged"
The ladies began hurriedly to repack
the, as yet, untouched repast, and to
gather up their hats, wells, par;lsols, and
gloves; the gentlemen looked around
for shawl-straps, books, and baskets;
and once again ran the question
'But Octavia?
"Where is Octavia?"
And Dorsey Wheeler, stl aiming his
eyes through the gray mist which was
already beginning to gather over the
landscape, exclaimed
''Who has an opera-glass?
81 see something OH that tall rock
that seems to lean towards the water
something, 1 am quite certain which
moves"
The captain produced his glass.
"Though, to be sure" said he, "glaSs-
es amt much good in such a plaguey
Scotch mist as this.
''But l declare there is something up
there fluttering in the wind, like some
one waving a signal of Distress"
Bolton snatched the glass from the
Veterans hand, and mTriedly adjusted
it to his own eyes.
cit is Octavia's veil, he said. I can
see the pink flowers, like little dots Of
color, on her head
"Goou. IIeavensl and she has been
mad enough to climb that rock, all for
spirit OF crazy adVen ture."
It's Il bad job for her then, sir" said
the old fisherman, who, leaving his nets
to take care Of themselves, had mingled
black pipe and all, i'll the general con-
fusion. s'For now the tide is in, there
amt nobody nor nothin' can get near
Mother Carey's Rocks.
eff the wind rises, as it's going to do,
as sure as Heaven, she'll be blowed into
kingdom come at the very first puff"
Can nobody help her2" cried the
Mortified group.
Iiio oia ...,C .,.,s-,= ...s, ,r.~I. --
You'd only come to your own
death, )" said he, "without helpin' her Il
mite. There was a man killed there
twenty-one years ago come October.
eve are losing time" said the cap
tain impaticntly.
'There's black squall driving up on
the wind, and I'd not give much for our
lives If we don't get clear of them con-
founded rocks.
"Of course, we're all sorry for the
young lady: but SO far as l can see she
will have to take the consequences of
her own folly. It's impossible to risk a
whole boatload for her.
''Ladies and gentlemen, all forward
now, if you please"
But Duncan Ray stepped out from
the ranks.
''Bolton!" said he.
''McDowelll Christian men, all Of
you'll Are you going deliberately off, to
leave her to perish2"
CT don't see that we can do any,
thing" stammered Bolton.
''This good man says that we would
only risk our own lives to no purpose. !"
"And you must see YOURSELF" added
Mr.. La,ncelot Mcdowell, 's'tliat it
would be certain death to try to cross
the water, now that the tide is rising 80
fast"
"There's no time to parleyl' said the
captain impatiently.
1.-THE bell will ring directly, and who
ever isn't on board then, isn't on board
at ALL Ehl Where are you going, MI.
Ray2
ITO the top of yonder Cliff" answer
ed Duncan, pulling his hat resolutely
over his brows.
"To rescue that girl, Or die in the at
temptP'
But at the same moment slender
figure, with a zephyr shawl drawn light
ly over it's head, stepped out from be-
hind the old bulkhead-Octavia Olandl
herself ''Do not risk your life Duncan
RayP she said in sweet, clear voice.
81 am quite safe.
''Nly veil and hat blew off, and could
not disentapgle them from the sharp
rocks. But [, myself, was fortunate
enough to make good my retreat before
the dreadful wind got too high.
"And came up behind you all, and
heard you talk, and-and-O Duncan,
can't bear TO think Of it all"
She covered her eyes with her hand
as she spoke, while with the other she
clung close to Duncan Rays arm, as if
it were refuge beyond all romputa-
ton.
But all the way back she never once
cOndescended to speak to Harry Bolton
OF Mr.. Mcdowell; and when she return
cd home that evening she was engaged
TO Duncan Ray.
''For l know now" she sale, with a
little tremor in her voice, "who, and
who alone, would have riskcd his life
for such a silly child as IT.
And Harry Bolton and Launcelot
Mcdowell felt like recreant knights
indeed.
M. GAMBRTTA's opportunity: An Eng.