Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-08-14

try to quiet them.
But in this he had helper in Nan.
The girls face showed nothing of the
terror Joel expected to see in her. The
woman seemed to have suddenly come
instead of the rollicking girl. She was
here, there, everywhere, cheering the
younger ones in most motherly way.
How this crisis had transformed her!
Joel noticed more than ever now what
a strong face she had. He had always
thought her pretty; now a look had
come upon her features which indi-
Gated the spirit which makes women
heroic. She had become a calm, self
possessed woman.
While Joel was thinking of this.
the dusk came boat manned
by two farmers. 1t slowly pushed its
way through the current, fighting hard
against the wind, ice and drifting wood;
but it was not long before the rescuers
reached the imperiled house. Joel
could no longer open the door without
letting in little ocean. Tiny rivulets
were spreading over the floor. The
only way TO get the children into the
boat was through an open window.
Not more than half the number were
able to get into the boat. The rest must
wait.
Hadn't you better get in now, Mr..
Professor" asked one of the men when
the boat was ready to push off for the
bank.
Not as long rs there is any one else
to 60, Zeb," was Joers firm response as
he gave the boat q steady shove away
from the house.
A half hour of suspense passed. Then
the dim outline of the boat appeared
the gloom again.
THE boat is full enough" said Joel,
as he tucked the last one of the child
rem securely into the boat. The load
would be too heavy and trouble might
come of it If should get in. l hope
the worst is over anyhow. Even if the
water rises two feet more l can still
find way TO keep out of it till morn
ing perhaps"
liant just the thing to leave you
here" said one of the men hesitatingly.
Get in and We'll get through all right.
l guess"
No" was the quick response. Go
ahead. If you can come for me, all
right. If not"
He paused. Something in Mans
eyes awoke a tumult in his breast. A
strange light shone in them and as
Joel leaned down from the window
toward her, in answer to a slight move
ment of her hand, she whispered:
MIR. Sherwood, I'm sorry I've made
you so much trouble this winter. l
didn't mean it. Will you forgive mep"
The only reply Joel gave was a warm
pressure or the hand. That was enough.
She understood it. Then the boat
pushed out into the twilight.
But it left behind very happy young
man, in spite of his desperate position.
After such q confession from Nan what
could he not endure? Floods could
not sweep away the joy which thrilled
him.
But an hour sped by and still Joel
was alone. The water kept rising
steadily till it drove him to the top OF
the desks. He noticed that the tide was
coming up much faster than at any
time before. There was no longer such
a rush about the house.
Studying the situation for awhile
Joel made up his mind that the gorge
must have formed somewhere below
MN, ana the water no longer able to
run out was backing up leaving him
in the midst of a great sea. Ii this were
true the outlook was not at all en-
couraging.
He peered anxiously out over the
waters for some sign of the returning
boat. Nothing but intense darkness
met his gaze.
Another hour passed. Inch by inch
the river crept up, driving him from
place to place until he was now on the
highest possible point. Now he must
quietly await his fate.
But it was not very heroic to be
drowned like rat. He must do some
thing to save himself
At length star glimmered in the
distance. Hope sprang up again.
Some one was kinder to him than he
deserved.
How slowly the light came. 1t was
a hard battle with wind and torrent.
Suddenly the awful rush came again.
Had the gorge below given wayp Then
heaven save him
He felt the shock. The building
trembled. Something had struck it
heavily, and it was being carried down
into the raging flood.
1t was time for him to act. To re-
main wherr he was would be death.
He flung up the window and looked
out. One thing he had learned well in
years gone ky--to swim. 1t seemed
almost madness to think of trusting
himself to such current, but there was
nothing else to be done.
The light was nearing him more
swiftly now, although it was apparent
ly long way off yet. He bravely
leaped into the surging water ard
struck ont for the shore.
Something below the surface of the
waves caught him and dragged him
swiftly down the stream. He struggled
with all his might to get away but in
vain. One OF his legs was held as in o
vice. His head whirled.
Then flash of light fell upon him.
In another moment strong hand
grasped his arm. The rays or the
lantern lighted up the face of his
rescuer.
1t was Nan!
Joel awoke the next morning with a
delicious sense of peace.
There was no pain anywhere. A
woman's hand was on his forehead. He
was in a woman's room. He lay with
his eyes closed and tried to put things
together. Then he looked up into the
face of Nan.
Don't speak, Nan! Let me lie still.
II this is dream l don't want it to
endr
But it isn't. It's real and I thank
God it ism said Nan, reverently.
Joel reached up and drew Nan down
toward him and their lips met.
$50 do L." was all he said.--E. l..
Vincent in N. Y. Weekly.
Postmarks on English Letters,