St. Landry democrat., 1891-10-10

their hats, wells, parasols and gloves
the gentlemen looked around for shaw
straps, books and baskets; and once
again ran the question
''But Octavia. Where is Octavia"
| And Dorsey Wheeler, straining his
eyes through the gray mist which was al
ready beginning to gather over the land
scape exclaimed
"Who has an opera glass? l sec
something on that tall rock that seems tc
lean toward the understanding, an
quite certain that moves
The captain produced his glass.
"Ihough to be sure, said he, "glasses
amt much use in such plaguey Scotch
mist as this. But | declare, there is
something up there, tluttering in the
wind like some one waving a signal OF
Distress"
Bolton snatched the glass from the
veterans hand, and hurrjedly adjusted it
to his own eyes.
at is Octavla's veil" he said, 81 can
see the pink flowers like little dots of
color, on her head. Good heavens! she
has been mad enough to climb that rock,
all for spirit of crazy adventure.
'lt's bad job for her, then,' said
the fisherman, who, having left his nets
to take care Of themselves, had mingled,
black pipe and all, in the general con-
fusion. For now the tide is in, there
| amt nobody nor nothin' can get near
Mother Carey's Rocks; and if the wind
rises, as it's gon' to do, she'll be bowed
into kingdom come, at the very first
puff. %
"Can nobody help her?' cried the
Mortified group.
The old salt shook his head
YOU'D come to your own death, ~
said he, "without hclpin' her a mite.
There was a man killed there twenty
one years ago come October. He
eve are losing time" said the cap
tain, impatiently. "There's a black
squall driving up on the wind, and I'd
not give much for our lives if we don't
get clear of those rocks Of course we're
all sorry for the young lady, but so far
as can see she'll have to take the con-
sequences of her folly. 1t is impossible
to risk whole barge load for her.
Ladies and gentlemen, all forward now,
if you please.'
But Duncan Ray stepped out from the
ranks.
"Bolton" said he. "McDowcll,
Christian men, all of you! Are you 60
ing deliberately off, to leave the sweet
est and most precious of our number to
perish in the winds and wavcs?"
81 don't see that we can do any,
thingn' stammered Bolton. "This good
man says that we should only risk our
own lives to no purpose"
"And you must see YOURSELF" added
Mr.. Launcelot Mcdowell, "that it would
be certain death to try to cross the
water, now that the tide is rising so
fast!n
"There's no time for parley," said the
captain, impaticntly. The bell will
ring directly, and whoever isn't on
board then, isn't on board at all! Eth!
Where are you going, Mr. Ray?"
ITO the top of yonder Cliff said Dun /
can, pulling his hat rcsolutely over his
brows. ''To rescue that girl, or die in .
the attemptn'
But at the same moment a slender fig !
lre, with a zephyr shawl drawn lightly .
over its head, stepped out from behind
the Old bulkhead-Octayia GLAND her
self.
"Dc not risk your life, Duncan Raw"
she said in sweet clear voice. 81 am
quite safe. My veil and hat blew off. and
could not discntanole them from the
sharp rocks. But | myself was fortunate
snough to make good my retreat before
he dreadful wind got too high. AndI.
,ame up behind you all, and heard YOU
ak, and and-O, Duncan, | can't bear
o think Of it all! Let us go back to the
teamer as fast as We can, and get out of
his frightful place"
She covered her eyes with one hand as
he spoke, while with the other she clune
lose to Duncan Rays arm, as if it were
refuge beyond all computation. But
Il the way back to New York she never
nee condescended to speak to Harry
BOLTON or Mr.. Mcdowell; and when she
eturned home that evening she was en-
aged to Duncan Ray.
For | know now" she said, with
title trenor in her voice, "who, and
Tho alone would have risked his life for
UGH silly child as Ir' ;
Harry Bolton and Mr.. Mcdowell felt
Ike recreant knights, indeed
"Decidedly awl1ward" said the for
Ter.
Eyes" asserted the latter. 'Puts one
in such an awkward position"