Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-06-14

haps, so high ran the waves, so loud
roared the breakers.
"Thanks !' she said coldly. "But
I'd much rather go alone. And I'm
not the least afraid"
A deep flush overspread Kenneth's
face. At first he felt like turning on
his heel and stridlng away. But love
was stronger than pride.
"Why are you so unkind, "he cried
bitterly, at last. Have l prosecuted
you with so many attentions that you
need insult me?"
81 did not mean to insult you,"
she said with heightened color.
"You have never forgiven me, |
know, for my conduct that first night.
You are unjust
''Mr. Farley she said indignant
ly, her dark eyes giving a quick an
cry flash, "when were you appointed
my Mentor?"
A look of pain crossed his face, as,
with a sudden appealing gesture, he
cried:
ooh, Ethel-Miss Onslow, have
pity! Don't you know l love you?"
She drew back with a quick ner-
vous start. But he went on passion
ately: 81 have loved you since the
very first hour we met. Do not let a
first impression bias your mind for
| ever. You are dearer to me than my
life. Let me try to earn your esteem.
| Give me a chance"
"Impossible % she interrupted, in
a cold hard voice.
"Then,'' he said bitterly, as he
turned and left her, 81 have nothing
more to ask"
He walked on and on, along the
strand, and to the curving cape which
sheltered Vineta from the north
winds, resolving to leave for his
home that very night. At last, fling
ing down on the wet sand, he watch
ed the tempestuous waves, which
seemed to embody the tumult of his
mind.
Quite an hour passed, and still he
lay there. Presently something
caught his eye: a black object, toss
ed about by the waves, but slowly
drifting out to sea.
He looked at it long and attentive
ly. What could it be? At first, he
thought it bit of wreck. But, as
the outlines grew more distinct, he
saw they bore some resemblance to 6
human form.
.sGood heavens ]" he cried, spring
ing to his feet, and tossing off hi:
coat in desperate haste. ''What if
For he remembered Ethel. Wha
if it were she, out there at sea, ant
drifting to her death?
The awful supposition chilled hi
blood. Needless of the risk he ran
he plunged into the sea, and swan
out towards the object. 1t rose ant
fell with the motion of the waves
now coming into sight, now disap
pearing; but there was no longe
any doubt as to what it was: it wa
a woman's figure, prone upon it
back, and seemingly insensible.
Was she floating, or was she dead
A terrible agony took possession o
Kenneth's mind. s'Ethel - he cried
in ringing tones. 'Ethel Ethel
There was no answer. She wa
too distant TO hear. Faster, and fast
er, the apparently inanimate objee
drifted out to sea
1t was Ethel, he knew now. Th
surf had been too strong for her, an
swept her off her feet: and sh
had only saved herself fror
drowning by throwing herself upo
her back. She could not swim, br
she could float and, for one whol
hour of agony and suspense, she ha
kept herself up, hoping for rescue
yet drifting slowly out to sea.
Her strength was almost gone
when Kenneth reached her. She ha
heard, but was too weak to answe
!, his wild appeal she could not no
5 even reply to him; she was barrel
able to turn her head.
e Desperation had lent him th
+ strength of a giant. He had battle
the waves successfully, where anotl
. er would have failed. AS he reacl
q ed her, her eyes for one moment,res
ed on his face. Then the long strain
o ed muscles relaxed, and only his pre-
e tecting arm kept her above water
It otherwise, she would have sunk fol
l. ever.
4 1t was one Of heavens and love
miracles that he ever reached I'll
T shore but he knelt at last on th
o beach, holding her in his arms, an
+ kissing her to consciousness again.
9 She opened her eyes, and met til
4 look of passionate alteration faster
q ed on her face.
Then, with a faint blush, she clio.
n ed her eyes again.
! ssYou are mine p Kenneth sale
d in low, scarcely audible voice. ''
saved you from death. l will neve
d give you up"
e Perhaps it was her weakness; pei
q haps secret tenderness she had lon
}, striven against; perhaps a sense {
:. her injustice to him, and this nobl
It return he had made for it; but, wha
| ouor ,uoo oh oIIouoI hin, hol