People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-01-05
[CHAPTER V.-CoNrIyuED.l

words, tried 10 rise, and, after some
trouble with her voluminous skirts,
managed to gain her feet At that
instant the green water rose swelling
close beside her, and the olive rock
weed floated and swayed with a dizzy
motion.
Stand still-0h."
How it happened she did not know.
The first sensation she felt was of in
tense cold, and then of vivid green
light, and then darkness. Some one
seized her, and then she forgot every
thing-till she awoke on a strange bed.
A shout and plunge startled the
two men, and they ran around the
little house towards the water. Breeze
johnson took flying leap from the
sea-wall, and landed like a cat on the
rocks below.
Hold her up, Mai! I'm comm.
Here! give me your hand Let her go.
I've got her. Scrabble out and lend a
hand"
Judge Gearing could not tell how he
got down to the wet and slippery
rocks. He was there in time to help
the captain lift his wife from the
water, and then they took her gently
to the little house and laid her on
bed Behind them came young girl
calmly wringing the water from her
clinging clothing. As they reacri
the chamber she said,-
shes all right, father. She's
fainted-out of fright She wasn't in
the water a quarter of a minute fore
| had her head up and was striking
out for the rocks. You telephone to
the village for wagon, and I'll fix
her dress, and"
'She is not dead, miSsn'
'0f course not. She'll revive pres
emily. Don't worry, sir. I'll take
care of her. You go with father and
hurry up the wagon while | change
some of her clothes. Guess one CT my
dresses will fit her."
Judge Gearing recognized the truth OF
what the girl said Her homely speech
and evident skill and confidence reas-
sured him He could see that it was
only faint, due to fright.or the sudden
fall, and he slowlyleft the room, closing
the door behind him. In the little hall
he heard the voice of the old man call
ing through the telephone for "a team
to the light quicker nor lightnin'."
He stepped out the open door and
barred his head to the soft sweet air.
Again! Again the sea had nearly
claimed another Offering. His wife
the beloved of his youth-had long
been asleep in the sea. What fate had
tried to snatch again at his heart? He
heard voices through the open window
of the little chamber. His wife had
revived-had come back. His wife.
Was she speaking again? 1t was that
voice, still all these years. 1t seemed
as If the two wives spoke face to face.
For moment it seemed as if his heart
would never move again. 1t had died
in his breast What irony of fate had
given two voices, separated by years
and by death, tones as like as those of
two violins made by the same hand?
Its all right, Judge. Mai says the
lady's revived and wants to go hum"
"IIow can ever thank you for all
she dido"
Mai? Lor'. That wasn't much
She can swim like a duck and dive like
founder. taught her to swim fore
she was five years old Sal1es alive! if
there amt two barges comm long the
road and racin' to see which'll get
here first. telephoned I'd give a
half-dollar to the team that got here
first. Mail On, l guess she amt
looliin' for any thanks. She only done
her duty-just as she done it before.
MATS good girl. though she is my
darter and | say it as shouldn't"
The two barges drove up to the en-
trance of the lighthouse in frantic
haste The Fairy Queen was clearly
ahead, and won the Captains half-dol-
lar. Judge Gearing put bill in each
drivers hand, and then went in to
bring the poor lady out. She did not
seem to require much help, and soon
appeared at the door, clad in one of
Mai Johnson's dresses. She was pale
and nervous, but otherwise quite her.
self, and the Judge. too thankful and
happy to think Of anything but her
safety, assisted her into the big barge,
and it was driven rapidly away to-
ward the hotel.
The news of the accident and rescue
quickly spread, and when that evening
the Judge and his wife appeared in the
hotel supper-room they were over
whelmed with congratulations.
Young Mr.. Royal Yardstickie heard of
it also, and was extremely happy over
his mothers rescue. 1t had done no
harm beyond fright and a wctting,
and he thought he saw in the event
something that would greatly con-
tribute TO his advantage. He knew
that, of course, the Judge would 60
cvsg to the light with some kind of re-
ward. II it could be arranged so that
he could deliver the reward or convey
to the girl some hint that he had as
sisted In getting it for her. she would
receive him more kindly and be more
friendly withhim. That she would refuse
any reward, particularly II it took the
form of money. never entered his mind.
He would find cut first what the