The Helena independent., 1892-08-07

boding words sank into my ears; was
startled with a desperate hone. Noe wi tn
gun but with boat might she not still by
some mlrsce snoot this feroe Shannore'
he brink WAS in sight. l would drive over
at utmost speed.
"Madgel Mndee! Catch by the painter
and hold fast!' called.
But she before obeyinR, leaned toward
me and whispered three words; often had
heard them; through all the din of tho cat
aract knew them. and even as she spoke
the boat, flung broadside on hidden rock,
was gone like bubble.
Reader-you who sit at ease and drink in
quiet of the summer alr-whRt power of
mine can bring to you . conception of what
followed? Had you ever nightmare
dream of struggling agony in dark un-
derworld of raving wate"s?
The change was absolutely without inter
val. had sat in light with my loved ones,
thrilled with sudden hope, listening to
sweetest words. Twas lost. knew not how,
I knew not where. sightless, helpless, in q
chaos of overwhelming forces, sounds, SEN
sations, too confounding for thought.
Something my hand, not l, had clutched
and held with oonvulsive grip. A great
surge bore me up; caught one flashing
glimpse of light and sky, and the same in
stant was sinking, with swooning swoor
and q believing and pounding as of de-
scending avalanche. Down, down, driven
by stunning violence, / SUNK deep in q
! black abyss and watery mountaias thun-
| de- cd over me.
I was drowning: the cataract's crushing
foot was on my chest; my soul was blank,
Then through the darkness and faintness
felt something pIucking. something-yes
a 'ope-was dragging through my grasp
and az it slid a loose knot drew beneath m,
fingers and slipped, and tiRhsened, anC
| hal
Was she indeed foreotten9 Again saw
her standing in translucent starlight. Will
quivering lashes. The 'ope still tugged
and, stolidly clinging, l came at last with
bursting expiration to the surface; once
mo- the day beamsd in my eyes and sweet
breath was in my nostrlis.
Slowly, trembling with weakness, I made
| my way through the uneasy surf hand ovel
hand along the rope, toward the skih. In
credible it seems, but 30 profound was my
bewilderment that thought of Madge n
still within; wondered with querulous i'm
becility why she did not help me. Tn,
boat. - it drfted, churned heavily. and the
gunnel sagged low; with half petulant OK
pectation l raised myself and looked in
Except welterin4 water. nothing. Thel
with frightful pang reason returned, ant
comprehended. or all the cruel anguisl
of that dav this awakening was worst.
sank back with Il strangling sob, and hu
that the skitf was already boating upon tn
shore had sunk with no rising. Az it was
my feet just touched on the shelving bot
tom. aud struggling forward l stumbled
upon the bank and lay unconscious.
q, Madge! could you see mo there! Hov
many precious minutes fled, while tn
strength waned and thy spirit tainted ant
thy lover Law unheading!
The sun grew hot on my cheek; its Ar
balls cleaned beneath my eyelids.
reused, and sat upright. The knotted cor
lay under me; the skiH was still grindin
on tina beach. Instinctively l sought /
draw it toward ME, but the rope, lashsd i
the ring with but single turn and alread
pulled almost to the end, ut the first wreno
slipped from its fastening. The cord hun
in my hand. My knot had loosened. hel
held firm; but she who had tied it-I raise
] my eyes. Its sunlit column wreathed /
} weaving laoswork Of hlmy foam, shannon
!, stood resplendent. What vision sends III
, blood in fierce. hot pulses2 What vii
hope drives mo with blind leaps toward IL
3 cliff Only speck of gray. dim in II
rainbow mists above the pail; but II
Aadge.
i The ascent was rugged. Brssthlsss