The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-12

7 II sudden hash oil lightning Olindeu
her for moment. Every minute
seemed an eternity. Her arms were
giving out-there seemed to be no more
strength i'm them; and still she rowed
on and on, drenched with rain and
chilled through. She reached the lit
tie boat at last, and with glad cry
stretched out her hand and grsisped the
edge. Harry, Harry, darling are you
awake?''
There was no answer, and for one
brief moment her heart stood still.
The squall had passed over ~ sudden
ly a il had come, but il was growing
dark. Still she could see the child a.
she had hoped, fast asleep in the bot
tom ~ the boat-safe,
1t was difficult matter to lift him
into her boat, but she did il at last, and
he was beside her, warm and rosy, his
drowsy little voice telling her how he
started off ''to see Uncle Harry" Lee
all let him prattle on. She could only
smile at him-it was no time for words;
all her mind and strength ccntered on
one thing, how to reach the shore.
How far away il seemed. She could
see the distant lighthouse lamps twink
ling like stars. She rowed towards il
it was not far from home. But she
was growing weak; her strokes were
less strong and steady, her arms ached
painfully and every nerve seemed
stretched TO its utmost tension. oh,
for strength for little while longer,
Perhaps they would send help from the
shore. Oh, if some one would only
come.-some strong soul To relieve her.
She seemed passing off into uncon-
sciousness; faintness that was like
death began TO steal over her. Little
Harry's voice sounded far away; her
arms relaxed, and for "A few minutes
the boat drifted.
Suddenly she sat up, erect and wide
awake. \ voice was calling to her over
the waters. She answered, and it call
ed again. Again and again she ans
wered: nearer and nearer il sounded
thank God,
A boat touched hers. a big, warm
hand was laid on hers, strong, deep
voice spoke broken words of comfort
and pity, and then she knew that help
had come at last, and yielded To the
overpowering languor that Oppressed
her.
When she came back to conscious
ness she found herself lying upon
blanket i'm the bottom of tlfe boat, with
little Harry cuddled close beside her,
and before her dark form bending AT
the oars. Ii was quite dark now. y
few stars shone family through the
clouds, and the sea was rough. She
lay silent, too weak to talk or even 10
think. She knew that the man at the
oars was Harry-Unele Harry-whom
the baby had started out alone 10 find
but that was all.
Her head ached terribly, and her
arms seemed paraIyzed. When at last
the boat grated on the beach, and es-
ger hands lifted her out, she knew
nothing Of il; her drenched garments
clung tightly to her dropping figure,
her hair was all unbound and wet with
rain. and the unconscious face showed
pallid in the lantern light. Little Har-
ry was fast asleep again-too tired even
To respond 10 his mothers passionate
embrace and the warm kisses on his
upturned face.
For days Leah lay in her little room
not i'll, but too weak and languid to
walk about. Flowers came to her ev-
erv morning-great punches of roses,
fresh and sweet. The children hover
ell about her couch, pressing their ro-
~ lips upon her pale checks and csl-
ressins her i'm a hundred loving ways.
Mrs. Stevens came in very often and
sat beside her, holding her hands-her
small, tweak hands that were Yet 80
| strong, that had done such brave work
Her brother had come in with her
once to say good morning" Mr.. Ste
vens had sent her choice fruit and made
kind inquiries. The girls lonely heart
| grew warm in this unaccustOmed
wealth of friendship and she felt no
more alone.
There came time in the early au-
tumn when the first September glory
lay upon the land and sea, lovely
moonlight evening when Leah listen
ed to the old, old story and answered,
"Yes.u And when at last they wan
dered home and came upon Mrs. Ste
vens in the terraced garden and Harry
told her bit of news she did not seem
at all surprised, but pleased and hap
DIV, and she kissed the nursery govern
ess with all sisters tenderness