Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-06-13
MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.

: MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.
Tho floods wcro out mt Wendelthorpe.
boats were moving hither and thither
In the lower-lying streets. and out in
the open country field after field was
changed TO n lake. From amid the
waters rose solitary farmhouse,
black against darkening sky. The
surging How hcaved and tossed and
struck heavily upon IL; here was no
languidly spreading expanse, but the
hurry OF tho swollen river rushing Inn
patiently forward and rising in its i'm
patience higher and even higher. At
nm upper window six persons were
gathered. watching the motions OF n
light that came and went slowly, and
seemed TO be- drawing nearer by de-
groos. The group was made up Of tho
farmer. his wife, their three children,
and young man who was the eldest
daughters lover. The light was mani
testify approaching. tho dark shape OF
n boat became distinct, they hda-d the
dip and splash Of the oars; mt last the
boat paused In the leo OF the house. and
their rescue was secure. IL could DO
seen now. In tho light Of Tho lantern.
AAsA AMNAW NNNN HNNNINA UflNOUN IN inc
boat, and that one Of them was n wom-
an. .I.I
A voice called upward 10 those with
In; "How many arc your l-rI
And voice called downward iu re-
ply; six"
To that answer followed n moment Of
silence.
Then, amid the sound Of the water.
came up tho words: 1--WE shave only
room for four"
'Shall you DO able 70 come back for
the othersP' asked the farmer.
Again followed n pause. brief. but
sufficient TO forcshadow the coming
negative.
No, hardly. IL was getting too dark
and too dangerous.
Within wero quick quostionings and
denials. n half-hcard debate, caught
and lost again between the ominous
beating Of the rising floods. by day
break the housetop would scarcely 10
left above water, even II tho walls
sshold DO strong enough 10 hold out so
long.
Jack aud 1 will stay" said the
farmer at last.
''If Jack stays. so will l." answered
tho clear voice Of his daughter.
Then n man rose in the boat aud
said: There Is no woman who would
say that Tor me, and So let me STAY"
The others In the boat looked nj him
rs no stood leaning one hand against
the wall Hc was n stranger who had
reached WendolthOrpc only that after
noon, and had volunteered his services
NJ the starting OF the boat
Tho woman sitting in the stern moved
n little and said. III will stay, too"
and all eyes turned back to her. Her
they knew. She was the new mistress
OF the village school. grave young
woman. and reported eccentric.
There was no rcmonstrancc from the
boat. only slow. Eliminating surprise:
from above, indeed. came protests. but
faint and qickly overrulcd.
A window was opened in n lower
story; the two entered upon n landing
that was already flooded and went
quickly upward. Warm. broken thanks
met them and eager promises of return
IN tho hrst hour Of dawn. Then from
inc upper window. tho two watched
the embarkation Of the six. heard their
shouts OF thanks and of farewell. then
the dip Of the oars. and felt ut their
hearts q sudden blank. They stood
side by side, watching tho wavering
progress Of the departure and the
wagering reflection Of the shaken light.
AT last, when the boat was far away
and no dim echo reached them OF its
sounds, they turned toward each other
and toward the inner room. The room
had In the interval, grown nearly dark,
and as they turned this way they heard
tho Hap OF the water. like a step on the
staircase.
Have you any hope Of their coming
back In timeP' asked the woman.
Her companion answered: Mo-
and she saw through the darkness that
he shook his head.
'.Nor have !" said she.
They stood aimlcssly looking into the
fast darkening room. They had no
occupation but 70 await the coming nm
of the water. and they were strangers
who had never so much rs beheld each
others face by full daylight. The wind
and tho water went sweeping by outside,
and In tho house were ghostiy sounds OF
doors and windows stealthily tried and
shaken.
Had we not better go up to the at
tic while wo camp asked the man, by
and by.
She assontod. and they went inward
20 the dark core Of the house. The inky
solitude below was full of creakings
and rustlings; above shouo n square of
yellow light revealing n steep ladder.
A lighted lantern had boon left for them
IN the attic, together with food and
warm wrappingA
will fetch the lantern" said he.
and swung himself quickly upward.
She stood below. holding fast TO the
side Of the ladder. His quick steu
sounded above her head. heli0ht shin.
cd and frightened. she saw his face IN
quick illumination; then the liOhI
whirled toward and beyond her. down.
down into the darkness and flashed
upon the stairs Her breath stood still
ehe had q sickening feeling Of being
loft alone. Assurance Of her compan.
ION safety reached her. however. M
the form OF an imprecation. checked.
lndeee, but hearty, uttered about two
feet above her.
The handle Of the lantsrn was loosa. "
sac pc. ~ he came 70 her Lowell. sru
50 down and fetch Il IN"
mo. don't Il IL too dark. Plea.
don't let us 60 mp"
one had found his arm In the dark.
moss and he'd him back. In the -.
moss. which was much the blacSo- e..
ina. brief interpretation Of lirh1 -
nAae helr way into The aida 49,