The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-04-07

backwash than baby, and Tregarthen
went dragging down the sandy slope
until the advancing waves swept up
again, lifted him, rolled him over and
cast him and the spar down together.
The spar fell uppermost, and struck
Tregarthen so heavily on the head that
with a great crackle and sparkle OF
lights before his eyes, he swooned and
lay like stone.
The spar came end on this time, and
one Cornish sea-dog fell on it and
gripped it with his might, and a Sec
ond, falling on his knees behind the
first, took him round the loins with
his knitted fingers, and third seized
the second by the leather belt he wore.
The next wave came bowling up; but
before it had them fairly in its grasp a
fourth had seized the third by the
hand. and fifth the fourth, and when
the great monster went grinding back,
with its reluctant fingers clutching at
the sand. the line was sound. Before
the sea came again Tregarthen and the
child were out Of its reach, for the rope
had miraculously tangled itself about
the rescuer's arms, and when the men
dragged at the spar he came with it.
There was no memory Of the storm
in the mild spring air when Tregarthen
next awoke to knowledge of the
world. He was lying in bed in his own
room. and the window, which faced to
the south, was open. so that he could
Just hear the gentle Gliding OF the sea.
He lay for time without care to re-
member anything; but when he tried
to move he found head, hand and
limbs marvelously heavy, and he be-
gan to be aware that he ached all over.
Then he remembered the storm, the
shipwreck, and the rescue he had at
tempted.
"1s anybody here?' he asked, in y
voice so feeble that he was surprised
at it.
His housekeeper's voice responded
with an ejaculation of pious JOY, and
the old woman was at the bedside in q
moment.
You know me, sir?" she said.
yes he answered. II have been
i'll. Who saved me? Did they save
the child?'
at was Reuben Pollarth,'' said the
housekeeper, event in after you first,
sir. But they all helped"
"Did they save the child?" he asked
again.
THE child's quite safe, sir. Don't
YOU talk no more now, Mr., Arthur,
there's a dear"
"Where is the child? In the house?"
Eyes, sir, yes" returned the old
lady. But don't you talk, dear heart,
or you'll do yourself mischief"
at was a boy. l think" said IRE
garthen.
Eyes, yes, sir, yes" said the house
keeper Here's your sleepin' -draught,
Mr.. Arthur
Bring him here" said Tregarthen.
"No, MOI" moving his eyebrows I'M
patiently at the draught. 'The boy.
Let me see him. Bring him here at
once"
The old lady rustled softly from the
room, afraid to deny him longer.
1.-The Tregarthens'll have their way
if they are dying" she said to herself.
'It was their manner always" She
returned in moment. II have sent
for him, sir
Tregarthen made response with
his eyes, and lay still. By and by
there was knock at the door. and the
housekeeper, answering it, led into the
room a little fellow of six or seven
years of age, and set him where her
master could see him. The child was
pale, and his cheeks were hollow. He
had a profusion of light hair, shy but
pleasant aspect and large gray eyes.
:.Let him be taken care Of" said
Tregarthen, in his feeble voice. Bring
him to me again tomorrow. A pretty
child. Any one elseP"
mo, sir" said the housekeeper,
with downward glance at the child.
Bring him again tomorrow said
Tregarthen. Il am tired