The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-10

ing Of the drift and heavy crash as
some tree torn from its place flung itself.
as might 3 despairing soul, into the
angry food.
why was born?" Oh, lonely girl!
millions have asked that question. Mill
| ions viii ask 1t again. To some life
brings an answer, to many there comes
no reply. Fate has lips as silent as those
of Memnon until the day breaks, the sun
arises and over the sands of lfe's desert
Is heard the immortal song.
| She turned to retrace her steps. It was
a favorite haunt of hers, this bridge.
Being within calling distance from the
| house it was safe, and it was habit of
hers to get away from the chattering of
her young brothers to indulge in mel
ancholy thoughts.
"Ne, Twill never drown myself; will
try to do right whatever comes; l will
be patient" she said, and turned to take
a last look. The water will commence
falling by morning. Ny God! what is
that"
''Helpl help! for Christ's sake!" From
| mass of drift rushing swiftly down
came these words, in faint, strangled
voice.
Here is help!" called the strong young
voice Of the girl. Il see you; you are
coming straight under bridge Do you
hear"
''I-hear; observation-disclosures"
"You are almost to the bridge. Let
go the log and catch hold of this shawl!'
and snatching it from her she lay down
and dropped a corner Of it TO the water,
winding tbo opposite one firmly around
her strong hands.
A moment more it was caught, almost
dragging her from her position, but with
superhuman effort she nerved herself for
the struggle.
Hold on for your lifev she said, as
she drew the shawl up. Her arms were
almost wrenched from their sockets, but
she pulled steadily until she felt pair
Of death cold hands clutch hers.
'Now," she said, help little your
self or l can't save you. Put your foot
against that brace near you. Now!' and
with an effort which almost parted body
and soul she raised herself, drawing the
exhausted man upward until she could
place her arms beneath his, and so drag
him up to the floor of the bridge, where
he fell, whether alive or dead it was i'm
possible to say.
Nor was jamie Burton in much better
plight, as she was so overcome by ex-
haustion and excitement as to be unable
for few minutes to do more than draw
painting, convulsive breaths. Then real
1zing the necessity of immediate action
she raised her voice in a long, piteous,
penetrating call for help.
1t was heard, for the nearest cabin
was her home, and soon the swift feet Of
boys told that help was at hand.
When her brothers arrived the rescued
man had so far recovered as to be able
to raise himself to a sitting posture, and
jamie was already ON her feet.
Boys" she said, "each of you take an
arm; you will have to bear his weight
as well as you can. On, here is mother.
We must get him to the house. hope
there is a good fire."
yes" said Mrs. Burton, ''there is
and some brandy, only little, but it
will help"
They got him to the house. How they
could scarcely tell, for he was almost
helpless; but when he came to the fire
on the hearth and had swallowed a lit
tie spirits he revived sufficiently to ex-
plain that he had been looking at some
timber land, and riding too near the
bank it had cave1 of with him. He was
thrown from his horse, which he sup
posed was drowned. He could not swim
and so caught a log and drifted. 1t was
o'clock when be fell in. Here he was
seized with c0-yulsive shudderings and
could say no more.
Make some strong coffee and bring it
very hot, while l help the boys change
his clothes. Bring your fathers best
shirt and fannels He has got an awful
chill"
jamie brought the clothes and then
went into the only other room beside
the attic and made the coffee. By the
time it was ready the patient in dry
clothing had been helped into bed-a
bed wonderfully clean and soft, such as
may sometimes be found in lowly homes,
even on the Sender.
There was no sleep at the Burtons' that
night To boys Of II and II this rescue
of a man from the river was an incident
too wonderful to go to sleep on. In their
exultation they were the heroes Of the
night, Janie's part being overlooked.
How they would triumph over the other
boys, boys who had never SO much as
saved dog IN thGir lives. Then at the
first peep of day they were to go for the
doctor up the bluffs and five miles out to
Oak Hill, the most beautiful country
home in all the region. What glorious
run it would be. and they would tell the
Stacy boys AS they passed their house
about the wonderful rescue. Who could
sleep under such unprecedented circum-
stances?
As for jamie and her mother. they had
enough to do. Their patient alternated
between terrible rigors and flashes of
burning fever and toward morning be
came delirioUS This. however, did not
alarm them aS much as might be sup
posed, so accustomed were they to the
sight of fever victims. They did what
they were accustomed 10 do in cases of
malar1al fever and waited.
In the meantime. the boys were dry
ing the clothing which had been taken
from the nearly drowned man. They
found in one Of the pockets few soaked
bank bills and q small knife. OF papers
OF mslnorandss there were none. The
bills Mrs Burton dried and put away,