Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-10-17

Swath through tn
xine woods, and the food that followed tor
the fallen trees from the bank and Dor
them down the wild stream.
Gustave Stein, the lame boy, lived OF
Gull Island with his sister Almeda. Gul
island was just below the rapids, marrow
strip of land containing few acres tina
Mr. Stein cultivated, and when he died Ief
rs legacy to lis children.
Gustave was away at a neighbours house
when the storm game, and his anxiety fol-
Almeda was pit:ful. The road from tn,
house where he vas stopping to the river
opposite Gull Island was filled with trees
and the wind con tinued to blow even after
the worst was over.
81 will keep you company, Gustave," sale
the farmer, ''or perhaps you had better re
main here while 60 and ascertain ii any
thing has happened to Almeda. The vino
could do no damage on the island, but the
river is rising, and 1t may be well enough
Tor your sister to seek the main land til!
after the flood SUBSIDIES
81 can not remain here" declared Gus
tave. Il can manage some way to get to the
river, and Rob viii lead the way"
The boy patted the head Of his dog, stout
shepherd, which stood near regarding his
young master with intelligent eyes.
every well, then,' said Mr.. Frost; "but
Tn afraid you'll find it a tedious road with
your lameness."
1t was about three miles to the river, and
1t required nearly three hours time for boy
and man to gain the bank, so many trees
'obstructed the way Rob, however, went
on in advance, instructed by his master to
go seek Almcda.
Long before the twain reached the river
<he distant bark of dog was borne tc
their ears. At times this became a howl,
and but added to the daring of Custave.
The kind farmer lifted the lame boy over
fallen trees, and in other ways assisted him
forward, although he had urged him to
leave him and push forward alone.
81 can not do thatw declared Mr.. Frost.
f'You are under my protection now, my
boy, and shall see that you get through
1his tangle 10 safety"
The bowls of the dog grew louder as the
man and boy reached the vicinity of the
river.
'Ah! see!" exclaimed Gustave, as he
caught sight of the foamlng water in the
distance; ''the river is overlooking its
banks! the island is gone!'
''No, no, my lad; let us hope it's not sc
BAD as that
Pushing or with nervous haste, Mr.. Frost
reached the river some rods in advance OF
Gustave. The dog was nowhere to be SEEN
while the roar of mad waters drowned ali
other sounds.
But a narrow strip of the river bank was
above the water, and the island was indeed
inundated.
Mr.. Frost strained his eyes, but could see
nothing of the humble cot that had so lately
been occupied by the brother and sister, Il
had indeed been swept away.
Gustave, limping TO the side of Mr. Frost
uttered moaning cry and sank to the
ground, covering his face with his hands
"Almeda! my poor Almedar' he groaned
a hand plucked at the sleeve of the boy.
and Mr.. Frost said, cheerily:
'Don't give way like this, Gustave The
girl may have escaped before the flood"
mo, no. She could not. / took the only
boat. She is drowned! drowned.' walled
7he lone lad.
''Hushl Listen! There's the dog again.
declared Frost.
Sure enough, Rob's bark rang family
over the water, and then the two on the
shore saw the animals head peer Up from
Between the trunks of trees that had been
swept down by the mighty flood, and now
formed a part of a large jam at the head of
Gull Island. Around and through these
fallen mounds of the wood the water
'whirlcd with rush and roar that was ter
l-ible to contemplate.
Below this jam q part of the island was
visible. Evidently the house had been