The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-09-11

spared To them but he had lost his
lie one bitter night In the perfor-
nance OF his arduous duties, and dark
days had come to the little family.
who had been attending
school regularly, had been obliged to
put his young shoulder to the wheel at
once, and a taken any sot OF work
he could find. AS he heard the con
OF Bellies speech he wondered
what he was going to do I'm case MIR.
Springer acted on Percival Peyton's
request. There was Ben Todd who
would be only too glad to Jump into
his place III the chance offered. And
the chance did offer. Just before noon
Mr.. Springer sent for Ephraim, and as
as the boy saw his face he got
ready for the blow that he knew was
about TO fall.
Complaint of impudence and dis
obedience has been lodged against
you, Warner" said Mr.. Springer, as
he turned over the leaves OF q ledger
on his desk. 81 can't have n one
here who is obnoxious to my guests.
So L won't need you after to-day. l
have engaged Todd to take your place.
Ephra1m was too much stunned to
utter q word in response. He simply
nodded and left the Office.
Going outside he walked slowly to-
ward the rear Of the building, trying
to think how he would br eak the news
to his aunt and Barbara.
Suddenly he heard u cry, and, look
ing toward the beach, saw the people
running excitedly to and fro. He
understood at once that some person
must be in danger of drowning, and
without h~esitating q moment he
dashed down the board walk, throwing
of his coat and shoes as he went. AS
hc reached the beach he saw Mr.
Towers, a man of middle age, spring
into the water; and far out beyond the
breakers saw the objects of his solici.
tude-two girls, who had ventured toe
lar out and were unable to return
against the strong current. Another
instant and Ephraim had dashed into
the sea, almost throwing over PercivaI
Peyton in his impetuous eagerness tc
lose no time, and, being a strong
swimmer, he soon overlook and dis
tanced Mr.. Towers, and in u few
minutes more succeeded in reaching
the girl nearest him. 1t was Belle
Towers, and she chung to him des
perately. What cared she now thai
he was freckled, that his hair was red
and his gait awkward? He was the
one plank between her and a water,
grave, and she held to him with wild
despair. With great difficulty Ephraim
persuaded her to loosen her gcasp, ant
gave her Into the care of her father
who had now reached them.
Take. her in-Ill get the other
re said, and struck out to where Carrie
Mowbray was struggling in the water
200 yards from shore. She was JUS
about giving up, her strength having
almost failed.
Courage" he cried, "keep up til
get there I'll a " YOU"
His words gave her fresh strength
BY, great effort she kept harself from
sinking, and the next moment Ephrain
had reached her and extended one arm
so that she could grasp it.
Cling to my shoulder" he said.
Carrie obeyed him, and the gallant
fellow turned about for shore. HI
made fair Roadway for a time, ant
then, finding that tho great exertior
he was putting forth was overtaxine
his strength, and that the girls weigh
was burying him deeper and deeper
so that every wave broke over thei,
heads, he spoke again;
You've got to help me or wei
both drown" he said.
III you think we can't reach the
shore III take my hands off" answered
n noble girl. There is no need
that we should both go down. Save
yourself, and never mind about me-"
But plain, poor, and awkward as he
was, Ephralm Warner was not one t.
desert a woman in deadly peril. He
had gone out to save her and he pro
posed to do it Or die in the attempt.
u won't leave YOU" he said: an6
then, with ready resource, told her t.
grasp one Of his shoulders with one
hand, and use the other as in swim,
ming. IF you can do this we'll get tt
The shore all light" he added. "We
mustn't drown If we can help it. Dc
your best now"
Ihus encouraged, Carrie was able tc
follow his directions implicitly, and
under the changed conditions the in.
trepld swimmer put forth all his
remaining strength, and within q few
minutes they were within reach of the
assistance of those from the shore.
AS they all rose from the water and
Mrs. Mowbray staggered forward to
fold her daughter in her arms, a great
shout went up from the excited crowd.
Three cheers for Ephraim War
ner," cried a voice. Instantly it was
taken up, and cheer after cheer rang
ou', while Ephraim, too weak to utter
q word, .gazed around him for q mo-
ment in bewildered a~stonishment, and
then,, for the first time in his life.
quietly tainted away.
That evening, as Ephraim lay on the
Ola couch IN his aunt's little sitting
room, feeling still the effects of his
battle with the waves, a
shado darkened the doorway, and,
looking up, he saw Percival Peyton
standing there.
I've come down to apologize to Won
Warner, for what happened between
us this morning." began Peyton. II
thought | ought to do it, O see. Pm
not given much to apologies, but I
nope Pm not a cad. You're q brave
lelloW, and Pm proud to know YOU.
snake hands and let's call it square,
Ephralm's hand went out at n
n ten minutes later he found him
self promising to take a place in the
IRON works of Peyton q Co., if room
could be made for him.
And imagine | can fix that all
right" young Peyton said, and went
feeling that he had shown him
self q gentleman.
This was not all that came to
Ephraim through his act
The United States Government. in
recognition of his bravery, sent him a
gold medal, the highest award that
can be made, and when he put it on
Tor barbara to admire, she almost cried.
:" You certainly can't say I haven't a
she said.
"Oh, almost any one would have
what | did If he'd known how to
swim as well" rejoined honest Ephraim