Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-01-25
Ii,


clouds or pause in the gale.
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 a pleasant
place under such circumstances.
Upon the very brightest heavens It's
huge manufacturing chiminies hung a
blot; and now the tuneral-like pail of
fogg and smoke wered overhead in a
perpetual frown.
Ada Carfit grew sick of it, and be-
took 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 Poor
y Hill.
The girl was better content, and
could grumble there with sense of
oppression.
OF Roger Herlestone, since her dis
missal of him, she had seen very lit
tie.
He was growing graver and more
reticent, it appeared, than ever. \
He had lately been taken in as 81
junior partner by Marstoi. & Marsh.
That was all she knew.
But somehow her face frequently
haunted her.
He had looked so resolute and man
ly on those Porley Downs.
she even sighed thinking of il.
Ada's own image, despite his utmost
efforts, was equally present with the
young manufacturer.
81 think | despise and hate her as
much as / once cared for her." he
told his brother; "but forget her l
can't"
Fall in love with some one else"
was Martins sage recomm endation.
But Roger shook his head.
'Not yet" he said 81 have not
sufficient confidence in female good
ness since then. That was the greatest
evil the girl did me. She destroyed
faith at blow"
ga 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 go, as it is
such delicate question"
81 am perfectly willing, sir. [ am
not afraid of the weather in the least"
Better start at once"
so | will. [ shall be back then by
nightfall"
North Fulton was over the hill, ten
miles off,
The young man was quickly under
way.
He had to pass through Baysditch,
and he was aware of Ada Carft's pres
ence there.
! But it was nothing to him whether
she saw him or not.
The state of the roads was of q much
more serious consideration.
How high the waters were, and still
rising.
Many houses IN the valley were al
ready isolated, and unless q speedy
change took place-ot which, alas!
there was no symptom-the result
must inevitably be grave d'sasetr.
The wind lulled for an hour or two
while Roger transacted mis- business.
But it arose in redoubled fury as he
commenced his return journey.
| Darkness added to the diff Guilty and
the danger of the route.
Turning sharply round corner into
Baysditch valley, Roger was hailed by
a terror-stricken voice behind him.
He pulled hastily up.
"What's wrong?' he asked.
Pant, pant, pant, and a white face
with awed, dilated eyes cleaned upon
him in the mist
"Porley dam be burstedi"
"No!-sure ?"
Roger comprehended in an instant
what that message meant, and his &C
cents we're as hoarse as the strangers
cay: certain. It's tearing through
t. embankment like cataract. Gettin
bigger every minute, and noane CAM
stop It," :.
'iThen Baysditch must be flooded p
Eyes. 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
Water was swiftly rising in the singl,
| village sueet, dllu TIC muelSl VI th'
onsweeping torrent grew louder every
minute. Homeless, and sadly def
cient in beth food and clothing, dozen
of families fled to the hillsides while
there was yet time.
Where was Ada Carft's lodging
Milton Villa, old Luke Carfit's home
was some distance beyond the cluster
ing village-roofs, and Roger experienc
ed some delay in reaching it. The in
mates, only three in number, beside
the Two maid servants, were but jus
alarmed, and their retreat was cut OF
even before Roger was aware Oft. Adj
was as pale as death but strangely cain
and seif-possessed. Roger Remembered
| afterwards how at least once In tina
hour of awful peril, her eyes were fxe
| on his as if they would read his yer
, Ieo,,l Q,rt If uoo tIppa for action am