The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-15
CHAPTER Xiv.

Tom Lorimer had done as he had suk-
gested The woman who had been noticed
peerlng in at Alice Drew's window was GER
tainly Jess; and he had himself undertaken
the proposed watch. But he had not been
prepared for the appearances of two women
en- the scene. Mrs Peck was known TO MIN
by sight; and when he dragged her out into
the light of the fading sunset, he sa that
he had made mistake. Tneu jess scudded
past him, and ne could not stop her. But
after the first moments bewliderment, he
loosed his hold of Mrs Peck's arm, and sped
after the younger woman. Ordinarily he
would have had no difficulty in catching
her up; but the start that she had got was
an immense adva itage to her, aud, more
over, desr air gave wings to her feet. She
rushed madly forward to the spot where she
saw the glimmer OF wan water"
A large mere or pond lay on one side of
the park IL was a lovely spot in summer
time. The ground sloped down to the water
on each side, and great trees waved their
giant branches above the CLASSY surface of
| the pool, where water lilies, bulrushes and
other aquatic plants grew in great pro-
fusion For the most part the Mere, as it
was generally called, was shallow; but there
was q deep and dangerous corner, shaded
by q great willow tree, where more than
one tragic death had already taken place.
This corner was now we'll fenced, so that no
danger to the children Of the orphanage, or
wary passers by, might be apprehe ded.
AS TIM Loriner followed the flying
figure of the unknown woman he thought
of the fence vita momentary feeling of
relief she could not get into the water,
he thought, although she was runniag
straight toward the dangerous part of the
pond. The fence would oar her way. She
would be caugat up easily at the fence.
Thus he thought as he ran; and then, as
he came close TO the Mere, he paused for a
second as if transfxed and turned to stone.
THE fence is down.
These words escaped his lips, aud then he
set off once more with reioubled swiftness.
Some accident had happened TO the fence.
The wooden stakes which composed io lay
fiat upon the ground; and there was no
barrier between the fugitive and the water.
Surely-surely-sh would stop herself in
time! But no; she had already begun to
descend the slope which led to the waters
edge; she had hardly time nov to stop her.
self-ani how extraordinarily fast she ran
Tom could not ogertake her; he was aim )st
at her heels, and yet she managed to eiude
his grasp. But other help was close at
hand.
Sac flung up her arms and with wild
cry plugged into the dark, still waters of the
pond. Before Tom could plungs in after
her he heard an answering cry from the
bank, aad saw that man had already
struck out toward her. The new conner
was evidently good swimmer, aud reached
her quickly. seized the inanimate form, and
brought it rapidly to the bank. Tom was
ready to take the half-drDwnsd creature
from him and lay her On the grass, and then
to help him up the steep banx. As he did
so, he recognized with start the face of
George Eastwood.
"You!" ne exclaimed quickly.
eyes, l." said Eastwood, shaking himself
and looking little the worse for his ducking.
III was walking on the bank and saw the
race betwe N you and the woman. Who,
Is she, by-tae-byep'
Don't know" Tom answered briefly, as
be knelt down at the woman's side and PIT
his hand on her heart. You have no
brandy with you, supposeF
"No. l thought mig 1t as well help her
out. You would perhaps have been min
ute too late. Shall we carry her to the
nearest houseT
ing out / see" said Tom, who could not
avoid certain curtness of speech when he
was in company with George Eastwood.
II think she will soon be all right. She
was in the water more than half minute, !"
He was chatting her hands AID rubbing
her limbs to restore animation as he spoke,
and Eastwood moved to assist him. And
then for the first time he looked at the
woman's face
"My God !" he exclaimed, and recoiled q
step.
Tom looked up and saw that he was white
to the very lips. 1t was plain that he knew
the face.
Tom asked no questions.
Alice Drew, who had heard the noise, and
been called by Mrs. Peck, now arrived upon
the scene, and she also uttered startled ex-