Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-11-07


have your own way. and now wash
my hands of you. and. whatever comes
of you. shall not be accountable"
THANK you, sister. 1 hope I may
never do any thing for which it will
be a disgrace in your sight to own re-
lationship with me-"
Left thus alone Jean climbed over
the style and went for morning
ramble in the forest. 1t was a clear.
bright day, with good air blowing.
and the girl found it unusually pleas
ant to walk in the open air, so she
went on farther into the forest than
she had ever gone before, and at last
after an hours walk came out on the
bank of clear flowing river.
For a little while she stood on the
edge of the stream watchin g the fishes
dart about, but, firing of this, she was
in the act of turning away when she
noticed an old church house with
little neglected cemetery on the other
side. Immediately strong desire to
visit the rustic spot seized her, and
she began to cast about for way to
cross the river. At q point a few
yards above, the stream was quite mar
row. and long log had been made to
do service as a foot bridge. Jean dis
covered this and attempted to cross.
and succeeded in reaching the middle
of the stream, when the log began to
sway to and fro, filling her with alarm
and fear.
With a sharp scream she threw up
her hands and attempted to turn back.
when she lost her balance and pitched
down into the deep water below.
Scarcely had she struck when some
one came tumbling down the steep
bank and, plunging boldly into the
water, caught her fast and without a
word swan ashore. The rescue had
been SO quick that the girl had re-
ceived no injuries and in a moment
was able to speak.
They had landed on a narrow ledge
of stone that jutted out at the waters
edge and barely afforded standing
room for them both. Above them was
an embankment several feet high, per-
fectly perpendicular, while on the
other side was the river. and beyond
that the opposite bank equally as steep
as the one by which they stood. For
little while they stood in silence and
then Jean spoke.
This. is dreadful mess I have
made" she said, laughing in spite of
her efforts to appear sadly distressed.
1T might have been very serious"
her companion replied. elf no one had
been near when you fell. The water
is quite deep there. and as you can see
it is long way down stream to point
where it is possible to climb the hill,
even when one reaches the shore"
II am truly thankful for your time
ly arrival. or suppose l should have
been drowned"
AS Jean spoke she looked up into
her companions face. He was a tall,
well-built man of perhaps twenty-five,
rudy and rustic in appearance, yet
apparently possessed of an ease and
grace not common to country people.
His face, though tanned and brown.
showed his generous nature. and the
twinkling gray eyes spoke unmistak-
ably of good humor and a lively dis
position.
"Well. Miss -" he began. and
halted.
"Mastin," Jean suggested.
''Well. Miss Mastin." he went ON,
'we must rescue ourselves from this
position somehow. l hardly know how
it Is to be done, but since we can not
remain here, and as it's not probable
that any one will pass this way soon,
We must attempt it in some way"
Il don't know how we are to get
out" said Jean.
''There is but one way. You are not
afraid of the water. 1 see, so if you
are willing to trust me. can swim
and float with the current to that lit
tie patch of bottom down there, and
assist you in safely reaching it. Shall
we try it?''
do you think it quite safe?"
Perfectly"
Then l am ready to attempt it."
Placing one arm about her he lifted
her into the water. and holding her
SO. hoated with the current and landed
safely at the point he had in view.
81 owe you thousand thanks"
Jean said. when they stood upon the
bank, IL am truly sorry to have caused
you so much trouble and inconveni-
ence."
Don't mention it," he replied. ''for
it has been pleasure to me. Do you
think you can reach home on foot, or
do you feel too much exhausted for the
journey?"
"Oh. I shall walk back easily
enough; thanks
LAS my road lies in the same direc-
ton of yours, if you do not object. I
will bear you company part of the
way"
Il certainly have no reason to OBJ
ject-"
They walked on quite leisurely. for
though they were thoroughly drenched
they felt none the worse for it in the
warm sunshine.
''You have not told me to whom I