The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-08-31

valley below. The thunder heads OF
the big mountain" did burst the food
I again descended. and about four O'Clock
that afternoon the boom broke.
In less than an hour Jam was discov
cred near the lower end Of the gorge.
The waters kept rising. while more log
from above came humping down by
the hundred. All swept through the
basin into the Unsuitable NAV OF Grips
Gorge, and were hurled against the
masses already piled in every conceivable
shape between the jagged walls. Some
thing must be at once done, or the jam
would soon assume such proportions as
10 defeat ali efforts at dislodging it,
Curt Gable with two others, entered
the gorge from above in dug OUT
canoe 20 see what could be done. 1t was
fol0rn hope, and the danger so great
that Curt. who called for volunteers.
Was about to go alone, despite all
dissuasive efforts on the part of Others,
when these two came forward.
Em'line sat in the front porch of her
fathers cabin and saw the canoe leave
the shore
Pap she asked, ''who air them a
goin' ter risk thur lives Ter passed. of
old logs %
Nj Rymer was approaching at half
run from the riverside.
'.You, Em'line," he cried, get out
that thar long inch rope we'uns uses ter
windIass the RATS with. Curt Cable,
nd Jim Sprait, nd Doak Slower hev
gone down the gorge ter the jam. We
why don't yer git that thar rope,
gal"
Em'line was standing speechless and
staring. Her father stamped his foot
impatiently, and she turned TO look for
the rope like one in a dream, muttering
to herself:
what ef Curt-never-com back !"
Ten minutes later Bill kymer and
several others were standing on the
Black Cliff, huge priecipice that over
hung a large rock midway Of the gorge,
round which the waters boiled and
where the Jam had formed Em'line
had followed them regardless OF the
SUPPER she was 10 prepare-regardless of
all, save that Curt Cable had, perhaps,
gone 10 his death, and-that she loved
him
How the results Of her own pretty re-
sentiment now Knocked her as she remem-
bered his last attempt at reconciliation
which she had so causelessly repulsed.
She recalled his better traits-his gen
crosby, frankness and daring. She
owned 10 herself that if he had been
rough aud rude she had been guilty Of
many shortcomings And now-now-
where was her
How she climbed up the rugged,
perilous trail among the ellis. clinging
10 vines and bushes, tearing her clothes
unheeded, she hardly knew. Now she
stood beside her father on the Black
Gill Below was savage roar and
white dash of spray, and the grinding
aud thunder Of descending logs. Her
-ese half desfened by the noise, were
strained for he sound Of voices that
might, even now, be forever sileuced.
The sun was sinking; chilling shadows
were enveloping the gorge, though the
eastern mountains were YET bright with
tender glow The men were lowering
the rope Her father. lying upon the
rock. pcered down into the seething
abyss. At last he raised his head and
said:
"Thar's two men on that thar rock, ez
fer ez kin make out Hit seems like
they've bruk loose a part OF the Jam"
.'Only two men. pap" cried Em'line.
She threw herself down. and peered
over. What if the absent one WAS Curt
Cablel For the first time since the big
meetin's' down in the valley last fall she
prAyed-played silently, yet with her
mind in an incoherent maze Of fear and
That's hit, boys" she heard her
father say. "A leetle lower down-thari
He hey kitched H. He's got it yunder
his arms. Now-pull Study, boys, md
don't frazzle the rope"
human form was dangling over the
eauldron below, drenched with spray
aud swinging wildly Was it Curti II
the rope should break-she shuddered
and drew back from a sight that sickened
her. She hid her face, and still heard
the horrible rasp Of the rope over the
smooth edge Of the cliff. the hard breath
ing Of the men-then. after a while, a
serapins Of feet, and Doak slover's
heavy voice.
''ilit were hard squeeze, boys, md
leetle the tightest place l wur ever
in"
.'Who uns on the rock sides you'"
she heard her father ask His voice
was a. the voice Of one afar Of.
That thar is Jim Spratt"
Her heart gave q fearful leap-she
gssped for breath
'.Wal Doak. whar's Curtf'
Oh the sickening suspense Of that
supreme instant Of dread II was mad
dening She spmng 10 her feet as
sloyer's slow tones came like an echo of
doom.
why. -he-wal, list afore the
IAN bruk loose, the eend Of log hit the
dug ont, kerbimi Nd Curt, he went
down long with it. -
She waited 70 hear no more, but with
out 4 word. passed behind the unheed-
Jag group. conscious only that Curtis
hodF was somewhere below the gorge,
that she would tnd it-and then die.
Lower away, boys Bill Rymer
shouted again. but the words and the
safety Of Jim Pratt were an indifferent
ahair 20 her now Was there ever misery
50 poignant as hersl Would any who
knew her have called her a cOquette
noWl
He hev gone ter his death, she
groaned. "'thout ever a forgivin' me. /
don't keer how sumo goes ter mine
p'raps III meet him thar. Wheref
The Departing woman, who with
diisted eyes and torn garments, with
Gaping breath aud trembling hands,
struggled along the perilous trail above
the gorge that led 10 calmer waters be-
low. found the above query unexpec-
edly answered
The form Of Curt Gable, drenched,
bruised. his clothing half torn away, his
face unnaturally pale. suddenly gided
round d sharp bend Of the path and con
fronted her. Her limbs sunk beneath
her weight she hid her eyes, exclaim-
ing
Lawd hsy PITY Hit-air-his-
haant."
She would have fallen down the slope,
bu, strong arms gra.ped her; a warm
breath famed her brow, and as her eyes
responded. she saw the haunt" APP
Darenfly working is will with her. But
the hands felt lifelike and the voice she
row heard made her heart throb anew.
NO. En'line ! haint quite a haant
yet tho ! oom'd tolera5le nur a gittin'
fur be one"
Why-Ehy-" she whimpered,