Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-03-07

dazzling gold across the sea and Nam
ME, looking idly out of the high-up
easements, could just see little boat
rocking on the far.away tide.
"it's Julian Gore coming back again, -
she thought, with n momentary deepen
ing of the color on her cheek. ''But
I'll not promise him--no indeed !"
But the next moment the soft, rosy
glow faded away from her face she
leaned forward with start.
cit IL Julian Cores boat !" she ex-
claimed Mamie Edgeconie often spoke
aloud to herself in the solitude Of the
light-house tower "but it is empty and
the boat rope is trailing in the water be-
hind Great Heaven !" as she rose iu-
voluntarily to her feet, with both hands
clasped tightly together, his boat has
drifted away, and he is there alone ia
the Echo Cave, with the rising tide -
And he cannot swim, aNd il he could the
reef and breakers along the coast would
battle any one who was not used to them
from his childhood up. Oh what shall
| do? What shall do?"
She shaded her eyes with one hand
aud looked off toward the shore in a sort
of vague hope that her rather might be-
coming to "rclieve guard" even 80 early
in the afternoon as this. But nothing
was visible except the glittering flow of
waves and the sandy stretch Of shore
beyond.
Il won't waltz she said to horself.
II won't wait r
Tho lighthouse boat lay safely moored
under the picrs-the boat which Mamie
herself could have guided anywhere with
in five miles of the Gray Point rocks;
but it never occurred to tho brave little
sentinel to desert her post even for an
hour. From her childhood she had
been taught that her first duty was to
the lighthouse aud the light. Like Cas-
abanca, she would have died ut her sta
ton had there been need.
But when, in the purple October dusk,
Caleb Edgccombe ascended the steps of
the tall stone tower, from whose crest u
line of rcd fire already cleft the twilight.
he found Mamie eagerly waiting for
him.
Don't fasten the boat, father said
she, II want it"
For she was determined that her hand,
and hers alone, should rescue Julian
Gore.
"Going back to shore Already, lass ?"
said the old man. "Why, thought
you'd stay and have a BIT Of supper with
me
II can't, father" said Mamie, breath
lessly. Don't stop mo now What
time is it high tide at Echo Cave 2"
The old man paused second or so to
calculate-to Mamie il seemed m ago.
"At half-past seven, or thoreabout,"
said he, slowly
"Then shall be in time" said Nan
ME, as she sprang lightly into the boat
aud pulled away, with long, steady
stroke. towards the north, while old Caleb
watched her with boundlcss amazemsnt.
"Has the girl gone crazy 2" he ques-
toned himself.
Echo Cave was grand point for sight
seers and curiosity seekers in that part Of
the coast. 1t extended in series Of nat
ural terraces up under beetling roof Of
rock, and at low tide was the coolest,
widest, most fairy -palace-lke of retreats
imaginable. But, as Mamie Edgecombe
knew we'll, when the tide was in, the
roof itself was beaten by the rushing
tide for some two or three hours, while
all the shelving ridges of rock below
we're totally submerged. And when she
saw the drifting boat, aud knew that
Julian Gore was prisoned in Echo Cave
it was small wonder that her heart sank
within her.
Pulling-pulling steadily on, with n
effort and strength of muscle
which would have seemed incredible to
those who are unaware of the daily dis.
ciplinc in which the dwellers of the sea-
shore are trained Mamie sent hor boat
lightly and rapidly over the water, until
at lust she came in sight Of tho black
mass of rocks
Thank God the tide was high, but
not at its highest, and clinging despe-
rately to the ragged edge of the topmost
ledge, she could just discern the pallid
face Of Julian Gore, who stood shoulder
high in the water, with his jetty hair
drenchcd with salt spray.
1t was dangerous thing to guide tho
frail little boat over the sunken masses
of sharp rock, but Mamie Edgecombe's
arm was both strong and skillful.
"Let go the rock said she. "And
when the next wave rides us in make q
spring for the boat. Thank God-now
you are safe! think " she added to
herself as she leaned on the wet and
PROSTATE figure that lay at her feet, "he
bas tainted should like 10 faint my
self if | had the time"
Then you dill clre 70, mo little,
Mamie, after ALL y
Nonsense y said Mamie Edge
combe.
LET go Of my hand, if you please,
Mr.. Gore"
"Not until you answer me from your
b.o.t -