Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-01-19

III was many mOntnS later, anu lee
storms of perhaps. the widest winter
within living.memoryihad descended or
these Northern Midiands.
For day after day, and week after
week, there was scarcely break in the
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 Its
huge manufacturing chiminies hung 8
blot; and now the funeral-like pail Of
fogg and smoke lowered overhead in 8
perpetual frown.
Ada Carfit grew sick of it, ana be-
took herself on visit to her uncle al
Baysd itch, 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
ly 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 8
junior partner by Marston & Marsh.
That was all che knew.
P,,f com abow bnr fam lu
haunted her.
He had looked so resolute and man
ly 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 | 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 +; 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"
"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 go, as it is
such delicate question"
81 am perfectly willing, sir. / am
not afraid of the weather in the least. F."
Better start at once"
$50 / will. | shall be back then by
nightfall."
North Fulton was over the hill, ten
miles off.
The young mon was quickly under
way.
He had to pass through Baysditch,
and he was aware of Ada CarfHs pres
ence there.
But it was nothing TO him whether
she saw him or not.
The state of the roads was of much
more serious consideration.
How high the waters were, and still
rising.
Many houses in the valley were al
ready isol&ted, and unless speedy
change took place-ot 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 us he
commenced his return journey.
Darkness added to the difficulty and
the danger of the route.
Turning sharply round corner into
u, uSIitcb va Ilau Rnuor boi1aA hu
terror.stricken voice behind him.
He pulled hastily up.
whats wrong?" he asked
Pant, pant, pant, and white face
with awed, dilated eyes cleaned upon
him in the mist.
"Porley dam be bursted"
"No!-sure ?"
Roger comprehended in an instant
what that message meant, and his &C
cents were as hoarse as the strangers.
GAY; certain, IT'S tearing through
t embankment like cataract. Gettln'
bigger every minute, and noane can't
"Then Baysditch must be flooded ?'
Eyes. l 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 scene
OF terror and confusion ensued which
might have appalled, the strongest.
Water was swiftly rising in the single
village street, and the mutter Of the
onsweeping torrent grew louder every
minute. Homeless, and sadly def
-, ole Il
of families fled to the hillsides while
there was yet time.
Where was Ada Carft's lodging
Milton Villa, old Luke Cartit's home,
was some distance beyond the cluster.
ing village-roof and Roger experience
ed some delay in reaching it. The in.
mates, only three in number, besides
the two maid servants, were but just
alarmed, and their retreat was cut OF
even before Roger was aware Oft. 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 rs if they would read his very
soul. But it 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 than the house
would give way under the avalanche
of water which had still to descend.
"Porley Dam" was the current desig-
nation of the reservoir that supplied
sll Scarborough.
Roger Herlestone 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
member Of the household must trust
to him; and he would return for each
1t wss proposed that Ada should SC
first; but she refused, and time WAS toe
precious to be spent in haggling. Mrs,
Carit and her husband and the maids
were all saved thus; and, nearly
exhausted, Roger went back for the
obstinate girl who still fingered.
whether l die or live, this shall be
my revenge" he muttered 10 himself
Ada was in his arms now, and the
cross-current running heavily against
him. 1t was desperate struggle,
and growing every instance more dang.
erous by reason of uprooted trees and