The Penn's Grove record., 1888-06-30

was beautifully bright, with warm,
cheering sunshine, but there was q
strong wind stirring, and the waves
rolled high, and broke upon the shore
with a dull. rushing, roaring sound.
The sea-gulls lowered on the cliffs,
breaking the echoes with their cry, and
In the sky there was not q streak OF
white to be seen upon the pure azure
canopy.
"This is playing with the ocean,
said Louise, turning with her fresh,
bright face to Mr.. Tracy, as she ran
gayly back from the advancing waves,
narrowly escaping having her dainty
feet wet by the water. "Ah, beautiful.
treacherous seal" she said, turning hel
gaze from Mr.. Tracy toward the
ocean; then back again to her compan.
ion." Over how many lives has II
closed; how many found relief from
their woes In its encircling bosom; how
many more have found a grave toe
soon by Its treachery."
Are you talking with your old
friendp" asked Mr.. Winslow, as he
came up to them, land are you as fond
of him as ever?"
"Yes, 1 believe I am amphibious, u
returned Louise, v~ivaciously.
~ am sorry to see u privacy In.
truded upon," said Mrs. Winslow. "a
family have just come down with seve'
raj children"
Rather an unsafe place for Chill.
dsen," observed MI. Tracy.
"Well." exclaimed Louise, 'tyou
two seem to think that children have
no rights. Why should they be de.
barred from being here any more than
grown peopleP"
"You're right, LOUISE" said Mr..
Winslow. "But never mind disc ussing
the subject; let us look after something
more substantial. For my part, l am
getting ravenous."
The sea air had given appetites to
all, and they were soon making sad
havoc among the tempting viands set
before them. A fresh breeze was blow
ing and rustling the mammoth limbs
of the red woods. The grove was on
the side of the cliffs facing the ocean.
Every one was full of mirth, and
pop" went the champagne corks, and
toasts of all descriptions we're offered.
But what stopped this joyousness all of
a suddenp Every n was still. A
cry or horror, repeated by many voices
They all rose and rushed toward the
spot whence cams the sounds.
"My child My child! Will no one
save my child?" came from the lips OF
an agonized mother.
All was excitement and confusion.
The father of the child. unable to swim,
was rushing frantically up and down
the beach. No one seemed to make
any effort to save the little fellow.
Louise. you shall not do itl' cried
Mrs. WinslOw. "Come back!"
st is folly for you to attempt It,
said several Of the bystanders.
"She was standing on the cliff. A
look of resolve was her only answer as
she impatiently hastened her steps to
the edge Of the rocks. In spite Of the
general cries of remopstrance, she was
about to take the plunge, but was ar
rested by q hand laid gently on heI
arm,
"Stayl 1 will save the child. Stay
for my sake, Louisel"
The voice was low and passionate.
and a thrill rushed through her whole
frame. She paused. In q minute
more, Mr.. Tracy plunged into the
water. Louise anxiously watched him.
He had swan but a short distance
when she turned to her aunt and said
in a low, determined accent:
"Swimming rs he is, he cannot pos.
sibly save the child In these rough
waves, with the undercurrent running
so strongly. must CO."
A leap, and she was o on gliding
gracefully through the water. She
showed Immediately that she was by
far the better swimmer. and under
stood the nature Of the currents. With
easy speed she was so0n by his side.
miss Fair, why did you venture?'
he asked in reproachful astonlshment.
ITO save the child" she answered
CURLY. and would have darted rapidly
past him, but his hand stayed her.
"This is unkind, ungenerous Of
your" he exclaimed. ~ can easily
save the child, and why do you thus
risk your lifer' l entreat Of you tC
return-if not for my sake for youl
own"
A moment Louise hesitated, hel
heart throbblng painfully; then SHIT
answered.
.'Mr. Tracy, 1 can soon reach thu
child, for l Can swim very fast"-sht
could not say that she could swim fas
ter than he-"and l know my strength
in the water. Indeed you will render
a greater service by doing as l request
for wind and tide are against us re-
turning; and without assistance, If you
do not go back, it is possible thai
neither of US may reach the shore"
sit will be cowardly for me to deser.
you. Let me CO."
ut will not be as you think-meet
me with assistance, and both will b.
safe"
All this was said so rapidly that no
time was wasted. He saw that she
vas right, and, though 1t cost hi:
pride a struggle, he did as she re
quested.
A few rapid strokes in advance, and
then Louise slackened her efforts. She
watched the child ahead of her, and
measured her strength with the dis
lance, her speed with the rapldity with
which the little one was being carried
out. To those on the shore the distance
seemed so great-her movements 81
slow.
"She will never reach him in time
Can't some one get a boats Oh, my
child What shall l dol' exclaimed
the angulshed mother.
at does not seem possible to reach
him at the rate she is gong" rejoinet
Mrs. Winslow, ''and the distance il
constantly increasing, for the tide il
taking him out rapidly, and they ar,
nearing the White Rocks. where the
currents are a perfect whirlpool. The!
will be iostl'
"Don't worry aboat her movements, ,
said Mr.. Winslow. Louise has un
dertaken to save the child, and vol
may depend upon her dong it. Shit
understands the water.
A scream burst from several at once
The child had sunk, Breathless will
fear and anxiety, they gazed with
straining eyes upon the swimmer. Nov
they saw her put out-long, steady
cleaving strokes, which lifted her
throuoh tho watar with tmmanas