The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-11-08
SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY NOVEMBER g.
onscious of his surroundings, the

colonel lay underneath it. The high
wind had wrenchcd branch from a
tree, which, striking the horse, already
made nervous by the storm, had
caused it to kick out Of traces and
leave its master in the lurch.
"Yes, and curse him, he's galloped
home to scare the life out of her.h
That tumbled heap of broadcloth
and gray hair which lie was pulling
out from under the buggy with strong,
gentle hands derived all its value in
Rcubcn's eyes from being "her"
father.
With the help of hands, hastily sum-
moncd from the quarters, he carried
the colonel into his own house and
was ministcring to his wants with in
telligent zeal when Imogen herself
arrived, pale, beautiful, grateful.
A glory from on high seemed to have
descended upon his lonely house. lie
could wish now that the storm might
rage increasingly for days. 1t did not.
The next day was dazzingly bright.
And they took the colonel home i'm
mediatcly after breakfast.
After the colonel'S upset Reuben
was encouraged to think that Imogen
saw him, and not merely his grand
fathers grandson, when they chanced
to meet until there came an hour when
every doubt was quenched in glorious
certainty.
That great February storm was the
beginning of the inevitable. Men
hoped against hope, fought against
fate. Higher, still higher, mercilessly,
silently, the waters Of the river crept
up incxorably.
And the trcachcry of man was added
to the threats Of the elements. Colonel
LOTUS chafed impotcntly over the
broken leg that made him a prisoner
when he should be a sentinel. The
river was at its highest. His levees
weakest point was known to his worst
enemy. lmogen caught him raving
one evening at nightfall:
"These Dixons are quite capable of
rowing across the river tonight and
cutting it. With my levee gone the
pressure is taken from their side. And
here lie like log."
She soothed him as women only can.
When he fell asleep she flung a shawl
about her head and sped toward the
spot of danger. Beyond it was old
Zack's cabin. She would get him to
watch with her through the night.
Before she reached the cabin she
heard the sound of angry voices and a
struggle. There was feeble moon
only to light her. She sped along the
slender crest Of the levee, wrapped in
the white shawl she had flung over her
white cashmere dress. Tall, swift.
silent, she bore down upon the men
struggling there in the dark.
She saw the CLEAN of metal She
heard terrified exclamation, the rush
Of feet, the quick beat of bars. She
stood still, affrighted, paralyzed. A
lantern swung quickly in her face. A
low gleeful laugh brought her back to
her senses. She and Reuben Mackie
were standing alone under the pallid
moon.
"Thcy took you for a ghost" he was
saying. "You came just in the nick
Of time. They were three to one and
would have drowned me. The mis-
crcants!'
1mogcn clung to him, trembling.
Sand you riskcd your life for my
fathers land?"
81 risked my life for the white lady
Of Tyrone" he said, laughing exult-
ingly. Then, more seriously: "If they
had accomplished what they came for
you might have been swept into
eternity tonight. My loye-my love"
She did not rebuke him, not even
when, then and there, he clasped her
in his arms that were still trembling
from the unequal combat of one to
three.