The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-09-27

hicsS-SroWH rockS lnaG lifted their heads
above the sea at the ebbing of the tide, and
over which the more yenturous had some
times clanbered, but every vestige of which
was now e;iaced by the sea. The few mer
about stood dazed at the sight No boat
could make passage of those sharp and
treaeherous rocks, and strong swimmers
dared not breast the pitiless swell of the side
maddened to fury by its rocky barriers.
One man set his teeth firmly together al
the sight. Years ago, in his college days, he
had been daring swimmer. Once before he
had breasted just such sea to reach a boat
which had overturned with three men, AS
David Woodbury. threw off his coat, he re-
membered the parting adinonition of his
Hawaiian physician:
Yen are all right now, my boy; but
guard vigilantly against any sudden shock OF
violent exercise of any kind
lie mustered all the nerve within him tc
meet and bear without recoil the plunge into
the boiling element. Once breasting the
waves his strength came back, and he bat
tieal with vigor he had never known before
Flung now against some rocks, which bruised
ms limbs or tore his hands; now sucked down
by some eddying current, which all his
strength only sutficed to conquer; now faint
with the shock of some mighty incoming
breaker, he reached, at last, the rock where a
little girl chung in fright, and took her in his
arms and soothed her till her wild sobs ceased
He bethought himself then of what he had
not recalled before-that between this rock
and the breakwater, which afforded safe
retreat to shore, lay comparatively open
stretch OF sea- Aud SO, plunging again into
the water, carefully supporting the little one,
1IJf
he bore his precious burden safely, at last, tc
shore
As he stepped upon the beach, Stella Lang
don met him with outsretched arms Silently
he placed the child within them, and she re-
ceived it without word; but he was
strangely stirred by the one full look that
1eii from her brown eyes like benson upon
him. A hero i'll dripping garments, he stood
among the idlers upon the beach, all deeply
moved, as even shallow natures will be, by
the sight of a truly gallant deed
He tried to meet their elusive praise with
easy Indifference, to make light of the perils
threSagh which lie had passed But choking
sensation in his throat overpowered him; a
weakness, which was more than the faintness
OF exhaustion, seized upon him; and it was
not sea- water that gtshed in crimson flood
from mouth and nostrils
Stella Langdon, sitting within her tent.
and softly crying over her little sister as she
removed her wet garments, lifted her face
with sudden pallor as she heard the meas
ured tramp OF men carrying a heavy burden.
and voice saying, regretfully:
Poor fellow! He's done for this time.n
III.
II he had been taken to an ordinary habita-
ton, and there submitted to the confined at
mosphere, unnatural restraint and artificial
remedies which invalids are usually Obliged
to undergo, it is doubtful if he would have
survived the ordeal. But after he had been
placed upon the comfortable bed in his tent,
the physician who was summoned wisely con
cluded that it would be dangerous to
run the risk of removal And SO he lay
III the open air, the cool sea-breezes
finding their way through many a rift
III the canvas. Close contact with Mother
Nature accomplished more than doctors or
physic, and, after several weeks of rest and
quiet, the inward tissues that had been run
tured did their work of healing, and he rose
from his couch, if not absolutely sound, with
chances for a long life about as good as the
average mans.
The season at San Pedro was unusually
prolonged that year More than one party
OF campers fingered on, 10th to leave while
the life OF this brave young fellow hung IN the
balance. The Langdons fingered among the
rest, and when, one day late in September.
David Woodbury. finally emerged from his
tent, walking somewhat feebly at first. he
did not dis1ain to stay himself little by the
noble strength of the young girl whose arm
he had taken.
Slowly they strolled along the beach, and
various gap groups nodded smiling approval
as they passed. He drew her at length to
little nook in the cliffs sheltered from the
wind Below them great breakers beat them
selves upon the rocks with a sullen roar. The
sharp outlines of the mountainous islands in
the distance were yelled in BLUSH mist
Far on the horizon the white-winged sails of
an incoming ship could be deserted Some
rare bird, with golden plumage, wheeled
down over the cliffs, and darted, swift and
sure, to it's nest III liliputian bush, clinging
to a cleft in the rocks.
But the young man Wore a troubled look.
and seemed oblivious of the charming scene
before him. He turned to his companion at
length with weakly, embarrassed smile.
Il do not like to think there was q time
when | seemed contemplate in your ewes. |
was not quite SO hard-hearted as appeared
about that little ch Id, you know"
$50 was fully persuaded when I learned
that an unknown friend in San Pedro had
forwarded hundred dollars for my poor
people that very week.
Il didn't mean that you should know of
that, looking momentarily chagrined; .'still
do not knew that [ care now," possessing
hiinseh of her hand with an air of proprietor
ship, and drawing her nearer to him.
s'But wonder if you will believe me now. y
he persisted, followed up his chain of remini-
scence. "About that miserable affair in the
street-car, the first time ever saw you. You
remembers You thought me jealous to offer
my seat to a young lady when wouldn't
yield it to an old woman. I wouldn't make
such a distinction for the queen of Sheba
The fact is, was in brown study when she
came in, and positively did not see her. until
you had risen"
The girl looked at him in gentle amazoment.
David Woodbury., never dreamed of
misjudging you SO. | understood it all per
fectly at the time" she said.
A POstofiice ON Mount Sinai.
(London Standard