The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-03
waves were beginning to show tops OF
wbito

waves were beginning to show tops OF
| white.
/ did not like the prospect, nor did
like the notion OF being out there on
that angry-looking waste OF waters at
the mercy OF Edam Carr and his ca
prices.
"Don't you,think we should 90 back
now, Edam?" l asked timidly; ''it
doesn't look over we'll out yonder, /"
and pointed to the far sea.
Leave that to me, Elsie, ma
darlin'v'
He had no right to call me his dar-
ling, but l was beginning to be very
much afraid, and so l said nothing
| about that.
| But all at once q rush, whirl, and
a roar caused me to scream out as O
squall struck our little craft and made
| 1T heel over, wetting me to the skin at
the same time. AS a matter of fact,
we fisher lassies are not at all brave
upon the sea, though it may be al
most our native element. There are
very few Grace Darlings among us.
Indeed, we hardly ever venture into a
boat at all. So it is not to be won
dered at that my courage should fail
utterly when we began to ship heavy
| seas.
"Oh, take me home, Edam, or |
know We'll never win back at all''
| But he took no notice more than to
put things right and tight in skillful
| way | could not but admire however
angry began to feel toward him.
| "Are you never going to turn, Edam
Carr" | broke out at last.
A suspicion which had often heard
breathed in the village came back to
me then, and | trembled for our lives.
| They said "Edam Carr was pettin' the
same queer look his father had afore
he went out of his held and drowned
| hisself!" and remembering this and
the few words his mother had whisper
ed, inclined to think he was mad at
times. When Ispoke he laughed out
loud. 1t was the first time that Inad
eyer heard him laugh, and it gave me
an odd feeling.
80 you're afraid, ma bonnie Elsie2
| It's a long time since you and | were
as much alone together as weare now,
nothing but the boat that holds us
two On all that world @ water! Eh,
but its fine to have you all to myself
like this,"
Are you mad?" I exclaimed, my
thought taking words all unconscious
ly.
| Edam laughed again, that horrible,
cruel laugh which had no mirth in it.
"Maybe. Sometimes | think | am
myself, but if | am, it's for love O.
| YOU"
His eyes We're so bright and so wild
| | could not bear tolook at them, and
his hand, as he took hold OF mine
burned with fever.
"For mercy's sake, Edam, take
carel Ii We don't mind we'll be both
IN the WATER
AN what O. that? At any rate
we II drown together, and yell never
belong to another man"
| clasped my hands in an agony OF
terror. Oh, what fool l had been not
to haveguessed what might happen! |
! thought OF the poor BARNS at home
waiting for me now to give them their
suppers and hear their prayers
and tuck them up in their beds, and
the tears rolled down my cheeks at
the thought OF how long they might
| have to wait.
| "Oh, Edam, didn't think ye could
| be so cruel!" / said between my sobs.
But even the tears failed omove him.
"Iou have been cruel enough to me
1T my turn now!" he answered sui
lenly, as he altered the sail.
By this time the lurid gIeam had
almost died out from the sky and all
was dark around us. The wind was
blowing strongly and hurrying the
masses OF clouds across the heavens
at headlong speed, and tearing at the
water until the air and the waves
| mingled in one wild fray. How our
little boat lived at all in such storm
| is more than | can understand. In
the hand OF q less experienced boat
man we should have been lost in no
| time.
do have pity on me and the poor
little ones that have only me to look
to, Edam-dear Edam."
"Ay, it's dear Edam now you're in
my power but how long would it last
ii let you win safe to land? Elsie, if
you'll be ma wife I'll make for shore
"What them" faltered.
'T'll run us straight on to the Ribs
o Death, and there'll be an end on t."
What was to do? l tried to be
false to Willie for the sake OF dear life,
but 1t was no use. couldn't get out
the words which would make me so!
Ii must die ! must, and there was no
help for it, but, oh! 1t was hard,
while the young blood flowed quick
and warm in my veins, to be plunged
headlong INTO eternity.
gave one loud desoairiag cry.
"Oh, Willie, Willie! can you not hear
me, my sweetheart, my darling2 If
you were only by know you could
save me. It's for your sake l die,
Willie; but love you so, love you
sol"
"Then die, Elsie, for ye shall never
be his wife!'
Isank down in the bottom OF the
boat and closed my eyes. could not
look at my death, though l knew it
must come. A dull stupor crept over
me, and the agony OF fear which held
me before was gone. Was it my dis
ordered Imagination which made me
think something had happened which
sounds perfectly incredible?
1t was getting too dark to distin-
gnish plainly. but, surely, that was
Edam Carr's big form | saw at the
other end OF the boat stooping over a
coil OF rope?
Then who was the man busted with
the sail in the centre of it?
We were shut off from all human
help there in the midst OF a bowling
tempest, and yet some one had man
aged to come on board, and evidently
to give us his assistance. No other
vessel could possibly haveapproached