Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-08-08
NOT A HEROINE.

rocky beach at Gray Sands, watching
Carl as he gave his dory push and then
jumped lightly in.
Mazda stood on the beach, too, but she
was watching distant sail rather thar
the manly form of Cicely's fiance.
$50 you won't either of you go?"
queried Carl, holding the dory still with
his oar.
Mazda knew that he was looking at
her with beseeching eyes, but she only
gazed more serenely at the distant sails.
Cts answered nonchalantly for both:
"Too hot; besides, rowing is bore. "
She mentally added, with ones lover.
Cts was apt to be bored with anything
that belonged to her, even in prospective.
There's a storm cloud coming up,
said MAZDA, as they turned back toward
the old manor house.
what of it?" said Cts, lightly. "Carl
is able to take care of his precious self,
hope. And she smiled a little wickedly
at Maidas sudden blush.
Mazda saw the smile.
Il think l will take a walk" she said,
coldly, and five minutes after her slim
white clad figure was lost to sight be-
yond the curve of the beach.
Was it the same calm proud face that
Mazda hid in her hands half an hour later
as she sat alone on the rocks? 1t was
proud still in spite of the tear stains,
but it had new firmness about it oddly
opposed to the round dimpled chin and
soft lips.
A large rain drop, colder than her
tears, splashed on her hand, and she
started up. The sky was black with
large thunder cloud hanging low and
threatening over the sea.
Mazda caught her breath as she saw
how rapidly the storm was gathering.
White caps were already appearing far
out on the waves, and the breakers were
dashing on the rocks with new fury.
In a terror that lent her speed MAZDA
almost flew over the sands toward the
little collection of fishermen's cottages
which, with the old manor house where
she was visiting, comprised all of Gray
Sands.
In her flight she had time to scan the
angry water for Carl's dory, but unsuc-
cessfully, and to remember that all the
men of Gray Sands were out on three
days fishing trip.
She met Cts half way to the boat land
ing-a helpless distressed Cts, who inn
plored Mazda to get help in one breath
and in the next declared that "poor
Carl" was at the bottom of the sea.
Mazda paused moment, looking at
the frightened face. The plan that was
rushing through her head suddenly
seemed foolish and useless; should she
risk her life, and probably lose it, to
save Carl for this shallow child?
The next moment she brushed past
Cicely and flew toward the little landing
where her own boat was kept. Cis
looked after her with wonder.
MAZDA, are you mad?" she cried.
"Perhaps-it is only a chance, but my
boat is safe, and l shall try it. viii you
help me?" Mazda answered briefly.
But CHS shrank back.
"Oh, don't ask me! I'm afraid even to
look at the watsr-it seems so angry"
Mazda pushed OFT with her strong
young arms, not even CHANGING at the
small figure with blowing hair and out
stretched hands begging her piteously
not to go.
She knew where Carl had gone, but
the wind might have carried him far
out of his way. 1t was only a short
time, but it seemed weeks to Maida's
tired arms and frightened heart before
she saw small white speck on the black
water which she knew was an upturned
dory.
Her heart sank, but she pulled toward
it with the courage of despair, and at
last reached the dory-not alone-for a
figure clad in white flannel suit was
to the upturned boat.
Twenty minutes later, in the wind,
rain, and darkness, Carl and Mazda
stepped on the little landing where were
gathered the fishermen's wives and the
servants from the manor house, friendly
little crowd, bewailing poor handsome
Mr. Carl" and "sweet Miss MAZDA" with
a fervor which rapidly changed to ro-
joicing.
But in the little group Mazda looked in
vain for Cis. She was nowhere to be
seen.
The next day Mazda knew where Cts
bad gone and why, for Carl showed hC
this note:
DEAR CARL: In leaving for home ia
night will say good-by, and am surs
the word will cause you no more regret
than it does me, We have never really
loved each other, and-well, we can't all
be heroines. Cts"
And so Mazda could do no less than ac-
cept the life she had saved.