Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-05


the Roadway; now he must hasten to her
aid. Yet he coald not make much head
way. He had to repeatedly dodge the ad
vancing waters and it was so dark he
could see nothing. When he had thought
he had walked a quarter of mile he
halted and shouted "Mildredm But no
voice responded to his call. Again and
again he repeated his halloo, and just as
he began TO think terrible calamity had
overtaken his sweetheart, he stumbled
over som ething-a woman-Mildred.
Dick was on his knees in an instant
and was Mortified to find Mildred's dress
and hair soaking wet. She lay as though
1ead-perhaps she was dead-and yet
she could hardly have been drowned,
though even at that moment huge wave
broke up uncomfortably close to Dick
and his Iifeless companion.
Dick Ryder was no simpleton; he did
not lose his senses, although his heart
was sad aud heavy. His first care was to
carry the poor girl as far as he could
from the water, and when he had deposit
ed his burden at the foot of the cliff he
felt her pulse and found it still beating,
feebly. He chafed her hands and tore
away the dress from the slender neck.
Then he put his ear down to her face
found she was breathing family, in short,
quick gasps. 1t was an embarrassing
situation. The night was SO dark that
he could not see the helpless girl at his
feet. On one side the high cliffs and on
the other the sea running in on high
tide, threatening TO cut off retreat by way
of the beach.
There was only one chance and he
would take it. He must hurry back TO
the pathway by which he had descended
from the road and secure help from the
cottage which he knew to be few rods
back from the cliff at that point.
He kissed the cold, wet lips and started
off. In ten minutes he was at the cot
tage. While waiting for the man he
found there light lantern, he noticed
that his hand held miniature portrait
in setting of diamonds. He must have
torn it from Mildred's neck when he
Ioosened her dress, for there was frag-
ment of silk thread attached to it.
Unconsciously, almost, he looked at
the portrait-it was Walter Rockwell!
He had completely forgotten the existence
of such person during the excitement
of the last half hour, but even at such
time as this the distasteful fact of his
engagement to Mildred n ust be forced
upon him. "Well, no NATTER" thought
Dick, II must save her for him."
Ten minutes more and Mildred was
being carried to the cottage on hastily
improvised stretcher. When they reach
ed the cottage the mans wife was in
waiting with dry clothing and warm
drinks. And then, for the first time,
Dick saw that the girl he had found on
the shore was not Mildred at all.
And yet the stranger was SO wonderful
ly like Mildred in height and figure, as
well as the shape of her head, that it was
no wonder Dick Ryder had been mistaken.
The old lady took absolute charge of the
stranger, and Dick, after promising to
coll in the morning, hurried off to Red
Shell bay.
Early in the morning he was up to the
Frevors' cottage, where he found Mildred
perfectly well, and wondering why he had
not been to see her on the previous even
ing. OF course he had to narrate his ad-
venture, which he did with much modesty
mot mentioning the kiss he had bestow
ed upon the strangely.
Mildred insisted upon accompanying
him to the cottage, and together they set
out ia carriage which Dick had in
waiting. They learned that the girl had
quite recovered from the effects of her
mishap, and half an hour after their ar
rival she appeared on the porch in a
bright dress that Mildred had brought for
her use. The two girls were so much
alike that they would easily have passed
| for two sisters. The stranger spoke
first.
"Mr-Mr.-" C"Ryder," suggested
Dick), "Mr. Ryder, how can 1 thank you?
I came down from New York on the night
train, and yesterday morning started out
to walk from Derbyville station to Red
| Shell bay. 1 thought that I could easily
walk ten miles, but lost my way, and, as
you know, by sunset | was still some dis
lance from my destination. [ was so
weary and SO frightened when the thick
darkness gathered with such rapidity that,
when that fearful flash of lightning came,
| followed by the heavy thunder, tainted
| Then [ felt the water rushing over Inc,
and l recovered sufficiently to drag my
self little higher up the beach. After
that I tainted again, and knew no more
until / awoke this morning. | must have
| been great deal of trouble to you, and
/ cannot thank you properly"
| Dick murmured something about ga
pleasure" etc., etc.
"By the way" resumed the young lady,
Il have missed a miniature painting
which | value highly. thought it just
possible that you might have found it
| a portrais of my husband"
Dick was astonished, but admirably
suppressed his surprise. Nay, more, he
was even capable of CON cocting a small
scheme.
81 did," said he, accidentally take this
miniature from you last night. 1t is an
exquisite little thing-you will not mind
Miss Trevor seeing it?" and he passed
the trinket to Mildred.
And now Dick thought he was about
to have another fainting girl on his
lands. But Mildred's pride carried her
through. She quietly admired the mini
ature and handed it to its owner.
II am lately from England" explained
the stranger, sand learning that my hus-
band was at Red Shell bay, I thought I
would take him by surprise. His name
is Rockwell"
Dick felt that he and Mildred had stay
ed long enough. So he suggested that
Mrs. Rockwell rest until the afternoon,
when he would call for her. He and Mil
dred drove back to the village-and q
very silenS drive it was.
When Dick returned to the cottage for
Mrs. Rockwell she was gone. She had
been driven over to Derbyville, and had
returned to New York. Dick and Mil
dred never saw her again, nor Walter
Rockwell either.
That evening, which was quiet and
fair, Dick and Mildred strolled along the
sands. Very near the spot where he
found Mrs. Rockwell Dick whispered to
his love:
"You will not let any one else come be-