Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-19

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, ~ have not suffi-
cient confidence in female goodness since
then That was the greatest evil the girl
did me- She destroyed faith at a blow"
"A stormy afternoon" 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 90, as it is such delicate ques-
ton
II am perfectly willing, sir. 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 Carfits presence
there.
But it was nothing to him whether she
saw him or not.
The state of the roads was a much more
serious consideration.
How high the waters were, and still
rising.
Many houses in the valley were already
isolated, and unless speedy change took
place--ot which, alas there was no symp-
tom-the result must inevitably be grave
disaster.
rhe wind lulled for an hour or two,
while Roger transacted his business.
But it rose in redoubled fury as he
commenced his return journey.
Darkness added to the difficulty and
danger of the route.
Turning sharply round corner into
terror stricken voice behind him.
He pulled hastily up.
What's wrong?" he asked
Pant. pant, pant and then d white face
with awed, dilated eyes, cleaned upon
him in the mist.
"Porlev dam be bursten ~
NO sure ?"
Roger comprehended in an instant what
that message meant, and his accents were
as hoarse as the strangers.
AYE; certain. IT'S tearing through
t embaukment like cataract. Gettin'
bigger every minute, and noane can't
stop it."
Then Baysdtch must be fiooded?"
Yes. | 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 deficient in both food and clothing,
dozens of families fled to the hillsides
while there was yet time.
Where was Ada Cartit lodging? Milton
Villa. old Luke Carfit's home, was some
distance beyond the clustering roofs, and
Roger experienced some DELAY in reach
ing it. The inmates. only three in num-
Der, besides the two maid servants, were
just alarmed, and their retreat cut off before
even Roger was aware of it. 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 as if they
would read his very soul, But it was a
u.
| 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 that the house would give
way under the avalanche of water which
had still to descend. "Poorley Dam" was
the current designation of the reservoir
that supplied all 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 returned 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 was proposed
that Ada should go first; but she refused.
and time was TO precious to be spent bag
Cling. Mrs. Carfit and her husband and
the maids were all saved thus; and. near
ly exhausted, Roger went back Cor the OBJ
stinate girl who still fingered
Whether die or live, this shall be nv
revenge" he muttered to himself.
Ada was in his arms now. and the cross
current running heavily against him. 1t
was desperate struggle, and growing
every instant more dangerous by reason
OF uprooted trees and other wreckage. that
came swiftly down the valley.
Would he succeed How tie spectators
held their breath and trembled At last.
with faint ''Hurrah ~ he made terra
firma with his burden. But then be faint
ed, and for the first time the rescued
household observed that he was wounded.
A tree-trunk had struck him. and inflicted
CHASTITY wound on the head. But for