The morning call., 1891-03-13
H:REBECCA"
written for The. Morning Call by P.
=: =: Norbert Gafney.
CONTINUED

-. -. =: TCoNTiSUED.l
There were times wien business would
mot allow me to be with her il the evening
and it generally happened that when l
:eeuldnot get out to Cl6ntarf she went out
with him. OH! the thought. Out with him
and I far away buried in the midst of the
noisy city. @.lYould he not win her with
his smooth tongue?" this was the question
that was constantly arising in my jealous
mind. = -'-.' .--..-
All mon ami, as my. French professor
used to say, ''Vous parlez, tort ct a
tTaverspi Yes,I suppose / am someWh hat
excited; but pardon me. Jack, cannot help
She. the only woman ever did or could
love, out alone with that man, and he per
haps making love to her OnIhe same rock
where l first kissed her and held her in my
arms. Mon Dirul Cest ce qui me faehe!
One Sunday afternoon | boarded the tram
car on Amiens street and rode out to her
house. Her sisters informed NE that she
had Just gone cut with gentleman friend.
Could it be at man? Politely declining an
Invitation to stay for dinner l hurried away
from the house, and before came to my
senses | found myself walking along the
:: BnIl-WalL kind of causeWay which pro-
jected into the sea at DnlIymOunt When
reached the end l threw myself upon
bench and began to think.
And l thought that "DOlce ct decorum est
pro patria mori." but it would be unmanly
to kill ones self for the sake Of-that man.
No; the Thought Of suicide was quickly Oan-
ished and l glanced over toward the Pool
beg lighthouse, which nobly raised its head
some five or six hundred yards across from
where l SAT. Just then small rowboat at
tracted my attention. 1t was occupied by
tive persons, man and woman, and from
their actions | quickly arrived at the eonclu-
sion that they were in danger. At certain
times the currents IN the ntlghborhood OF
the lighthouse are very treacherous, and IT
was quite evident that the boat at which L
was gazing was at the mercy Of the waves.
The unfortunate couple were too far away
for me 20 render them any assistance ana L
could only watch their movements. Slowly
but surely the beat was drifting toward the
Bull-Wall, and if it struck against the break
water their doom was sealed. Judge OF my
surprise when l discovered that the couple
Ia the boat were Rebecca and Langron.
OH the dOubie-faced woman!
Poor Seagrave at this stage Of his story
was very excited, and l gently requested
him TO rest awhile; at the same time | pro-
ceeded to mix a fresh supply Of punch
and handed him a glass. The storm was
still at its height, and, on account Of hav-
ing TO speak so low, my friends voice was
growing husky. Had his tale not been so
exciting | would have asked him to retire
for the night and fulsh it when we got back
to the city. But l was curious TO discover
what kind OF a woman Miss Springer was,
and / offered no resistance when, few
minutes later, he commenced again.
Let ne see where l left Of-yes, l re-
member. The boat was close upon the
rocks, and | was conscious of the fact that
the woman ! loved so dearly was in deadly
peril. The crisis came at last. As Ian
grOn was unable to keep her head to the sea,
the boat turned over and the occupants
were in the angry water struggling for their
lives. was fully aware Of the fact that he
could swim splendidly, and l waited for
him to catch hold OF his helpless companion.
But no; he made for the upturned boat and
left her to drown. Ny God how cowardly.
BE was ciuging to the boat, but she was
being dashed about by the turbulent waves
Rithouteven a straw to clutch at. For
moment l was spellb0und. II ne truly loved
the girl, surely he would make some effort
10 save her. He still held on to the boat,
and l was growing desperate. A ter
Hble battle was raging within my
breast. My thoughts were vaclllating.
knew that the chances of my saving
her were about even, as she was not more
than seventy-five yards from shore, but my
Jealous heart prompted me 10 let her drown.
Had she not played me false? For q mo
ment saw her little upturned face, and OH
how white il locked. That ended the strug-
gle; / would risk my life to save hers.
Quickly removing my coat, vest and shoes,
the causaway and then plunged into the
water At first | almost gave up In de-
6pair, for the incoming breakers hurled me
back at least half dozen times before
found myself clear Of the surf. At last
began to gain headway, but the battle with
the high-rolling waves was a hard one.
SWAN straight for the boat which was
slowly drifting inshores, and when / was
close to it | shouted to Langroh, who was
still hanging on: 'Ohl you coward, why do
of frrr sn- Va,r y lr,y
her-I do" The answer received was:
"Seagrave, / cannot For heavens sake
help me or l shall drown, too"
His face was aSby and his eyes looked as
ii they would jump from their sockets. Such
picture of cOwardice never want to look
al again. But Rehecca, where was she ?
She had disappeared from sight. o God, il
was too latei looked in ali directions but
could see no trace of her ! was then in the
place where had last caught sight Of her
but she was gone, Suddenly not ten yards
on saw something black float on top of the
water for moment and then disappear
again. Was 1t my sweetheart? A few
hand-over-hand strokes brought me to the
spot and dlved beneath the waves. could
feel nothing and a second time ]
repeated the task. This time l struck
against something. 1t was soft, and ]
ETasped it and Immediately rose to
The surface. Thank heaven had found
her. With one hand l held her head
above the water while with the other ]
SWAN toward the boat When reached II
teok hold Of the keel and called to Ian.
Eron for assistance. He refused to help me
Saying that If he let 90 his hold he would
drown. / was growing weak and as l had
to do the swimming for two my position
was indeed discouraging. To remain hang
ing on the boat meant delay and for her de.
lay meant death. / must swim ashore al
ence for her sake. To be. brief gave uI
my hold on the boat and started for shore
Fortunately the waves flung us up on g
amall sandy ledge and We were clear Of the
kraakeIa Weak and shnrt= Hindad as j va: