Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-01-05

IOl udy altCl uoy, hho WON NA"SA
week, there was scarcely a break in
the clou s or pause in the gale.
Wind and rain, wind and rain was
the dreary record, until the lakes
were swollen, the streams impossible,
and the miles of low-lying pasture
lands submerged.
Scarborough was not a pleasant
place under such circumstances.
Upon the very brightest heavens
its huge manufacturing chimnies hung
yellow blot; and now the funeral-like
pail OF fog and smoke lowered over
head in n perpetual frown.
Ada Carft grew sick of it and betook
herself on visit to her uncle at Blys-
ditch, five miles away.
There it rained still, it is true, and
seemed likely to rain.
But Baysditch was in the open Coun-
try, and behind it were the Porley
Hills
The girl was better content, and
could grumble there with sen5e of
less oppression.
OF Roger He-lestone since her dis
mission of him, she had seen very lit
tie.
He was grown graver and more ret
icent, it appeared, than ever.
And he had lately been taken in as
junior partner at Marston & Marsh
That was all she knew.
But somehow his face frequently
haunted her.
He had looked so resolute and manly
on those PorIey 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 her and hate her
us much as / once cared for her." he
told his brother; "but forget her l
can't"
"Fall III love with some one else,"
was Martins sage recommendation.
But Rodger shock his head.
Not yet" he said; Il have not SUI
since then. That was the greatest evil
the girl did me. She destroyed faith ut
II blow"
"a stormy afternoon, Roger" said
his uncle, two days later. ADO you
mind driving to North Fulton to see
about those missing orders? 1t will be
best for one of the firm to go, rs it is
such II delaCate question"
81 am perfectly willing siF. 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 off.
The young man was quickly under
way.
He had to pass through Baysditch,
and he was aware of Ada Cirfit's pres
ence there.
But it was nothing to him whether
she saw him or not.
The state of the roads WAS 4 much
more serious consideration.
How high the waters were, and still
rising.
Many houses in the valley were
already isolated, and unless a speedy
change took place-of which, alas!
there was no sympton-the result must
inevitably be grave disaster.
The wind iulled for an hour or two
while Roger transacted his business.
But 1t arose in redoubled fury as he
commenced his return journey.
Darkness added to the difficulty and
the danger of the route.
Turning sharply round q corner into
Baysditch Valley, Roger was hailed by
terrorstricken voice behind him.
He pulled hastily up.
whats wrongP' he asked
Pant, pant, pant and then a white
face with dilated eyes cleaned upon
him in the mist.
"Porley Dam be bursten"
"Nol-sure?'
Roger comprehended in an instant
what that message meant, and his &C
cents were as hoarse as the strangers.
cay; certain. lis tearing through
t emhankmcnt like huge cataract.
Gittin bigger ev'ry minute, and noane
can't stop it"
Then Baysditch must be q poded?"
YES. be goin' to warn IT.
"Jump up here"
And Roger drove as if for his own
life instead of other peoples,
The alarm soon spread and scene
of confusion and terror ensued which
might have appalled, the strongest.
Water was swiftly rising in the single
village street, and the mutter of the
onsweeping torrent grew .ouder each
minute. Homeless, and sadly deficient
in both food and clothing, dozens of
I vill"ge families had fed to the hills
while there was yet time.
AID where was Ada Cartit lodging?
| Milton Villa, old Luke Clr6t's home,
WAS some distance beyond the cluster
ing village, roofs, and Roger exper-
fenced some delay in reaching it. The
| inmates, only three besides the two
msid-Servants, were but just alarmed,
and their retreat was cut off before
even Roger was aware of it. Ada was
| pale as death, but strangely calm and
| self-possessed. Roger remembered
how at least once in that hour of peril
her eyes were fixed on his as if they
would read his very soul. Bat it was
time for action and not sentiment.
From the edge OF the lswn-now the
| bed of 8 roaring stream-the ground
trended gently away to the uplands,
and there the only hope lay. 1t vas
more than probable that the house
would give way under the avalanche of
water which had still to descend. "Por-
| ley Dam" was the current designation
of the reservoir that supplied all Shsr-
borough.
Roger Herlestone swan across with
mis- horse and turned the animal loose.
Then, estimating as best he could the
distance and his own powers, he re-
turned aud briefly explained his plan.
There was no boat within reach. Each
member of the house, hold must trust
to him; and he would return for each.
1t Was proposed that Ada should go
first; but she refused, and time was too
precious to be spent in haggling. Mrs.
Carfit and her husband and the maids
were all saved thus; aud, nearly ex-
hsusted, Roger went back for the OBJ
stinate girl who still fingered.
"whether / die or live, this shall be
my revenge he muttered TO himself.