Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08

get to an opening. Even if we do nJg
it is our hope of escape. l am thank
full even for life. to be serious. Few
people who fall two hundred feet know
what the enjoyments of life arc. You,
too, were in mortal danger. Our
means of ultimate escape are beneath
us We have much to be thankful for
besides the preservation of our lives.
This log might be SO small that we
could not sit on it high and dry above
water. It might have been Shiny and
slippery instead of beautiful and heavi-
" overgrown with moss. BY the way,
poor child. doesn't your back ache on
account of sitting up so straight with
nothing to lean upon?"
"Yes, very niue h; but don't mind
it You have given me courage and
hope. Do not also worry about me- -
1--WE can mend matters by sitting
with our backs together if you don't
mind"
The pair arranged themselves. seated
in an upright position with their backs
together. Somehow, when they spoke
they turned their faces so that their
checks rubbed together. at which Miss
Harrington blushed violently and
hastily turned her head. while the
young mans heart throbbed as it had
never done before.
"By the way" said Mr.. French at
last. Il am fearfully hungry. How
do you feel?"
IL am quite hungry, too, but don't
worry about that Let us not talk on
the subject but try and forget our
woes"
'Not at all. I am going to shoot one
of those ducks ahead there, one of the
canvas backs. Now if you will excuse
the use of my back temporarily 1 will
blaze away. One shot, no good. Sec
ond shot-ah, two ducks dead-pretty
good for a pistol"
As the ducks were floating ahead of
the log at the same rate of speed, he
sprang into the water and rapidly
overlook them. He was somewhat ex-
hausted on returning, and handed the
ducks to Miss Harrington. Then he
tried to climb on the log. but slipped
back. exhausted. Miss Harrington
put out her hand and grasped his
Many man has seen times in his life
when, If a girl had put out her little
hand when he was all surrounded with
darkness and despair. his fortunes
would have bloomed again as the rose.
Many girl has lost the man she
loved for hesitating at the critical
moment when her lovers fortune hung
in a balance. Remember, young
ladies, that the man who falls rises
higher than ever when he again gets
up.
With the aid of Miss Harrington, Mr..
French once again was safe on the log.
Il owe my life to you." he said.
fervently pressing the hand that saved
him.
But I owe mine doubly to you.
You not only rescued me but risked
your life to get me some food"
"Can you cook?" he asked, sudden
ly changing the subject"
"Oh. yes" said the yonng lady,
blushing and laughing at the ridicu-
lousness of the suggestion.
Mr.. French took metallic box from
his pocket and with match set one
end of the log on fire.
"Now," said he. "while confine
the fire with water, you roast the
ducks"
In a few minutes the girl pronounced
the ducks as in a proper edible con-
dition, and Mr.. French carved them
with his pocket-knife. The pair then
sat down facing each other and en-
joyed the novel banquet as they had
never enjoyed eating before. It was
late in the afternoon when the can
vass-backs had satisfied them. The
sun was getting SO suspiciously toward
the horison that his light no longer
touched the east wall of the canyon.
Miss Agnes Harrington suddenly
looked up. with half appealing. half
dread expression on her beautiful face.
''Mr. French" she said. edo you
think we will have to ride all nlght?"
II fear So"
"Oh, this is dreadful" and she
bowed her face in her hands.
He looked at her moment in puz-
zled manner. Then he comprehended.
Moving very near to her he took the
hands in his own and kissed them very
tenderly. considering short acquaint-
ance. ''Miss Agnes" he said. pardon
me for calling you Agnes, I feel the
u
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