Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-12-19

20 Upset y WuOtc UO4tlu4u Oh people
into the water. 1t took him several
minutes to grasp the fact Of Ted's san
ity. He shook his head very deter
minedly.
NAY, nay, sir. thee's not going to
get me hung for murder"
Ted pleaded and persisted, He Of
fered bribe after bride on an increas-
ing scale. Jim was obdurate. Still
Ted waxed more importunate. With
the OFFER of a f1O note Jim wavered.
1t was u sum not lightly to be re-
jected He reflected minute or two
and then remarked tentatively:
Its only Miss Ethel as you wants to
rescy?"
That's all, jim
swell. what about tn others?"
This was poser. Ted had not
troubled himself about the fate Of
the remainder of the party.
"Oh, they'll manage to scramble out
some way or other" he said, offhand-
edly.
! Look here. SIR said Jim. thought
fully; seeing as it's only Miss Ethel
as you wants to rescy, it's no use up
setting the whole boatload. Besides,
that I'D he too big job. How'd it be
IL Miss Ethel was persuaded to go for
a bit of a row after the others had got
out; and then, seeing you wish it per-
ticker, l might manage to tip her in,
nice and quiet like, close agen the side,
so there ud be no danger?'
/
grasping Jim's horny hand in his en-
thusiasm.
1t was arranged then for the sum Of
f10 (f5 down and f5 on the competition
of contracD, that Jim was to offer to
indulge Miss FOntaine's well-knOwn
penchant for rowing, and by this
means take her further up the river
than the rest of the party; and then,
having reached the selected spot, to
sink or overturn the boat, so that Mr..
Eccles, who would be at hand, might
plunge in and obtain all the credit of
her rescue.
Ted took his leave. Scarcely an
hour elapsed before Jack BOwles
popped into Jim's workshop.
ne diSO Hiu communication 10
make to the astonished boatman. 1t
was none other than the identical
scheme of his previous visitor. Jim
stared ut first. He wondered IL every
body was going crazy. Then he de-
cided to keep his own counsel. He
listened attentively to Jacks exposition
of the plot, raised various objections
and finally allowed himself to be per-
suaded into an arrangement with him
on the same terms as with Ted Eccles.
| AS Jack closed the door behind hiI.,
Jim remarked sententiously:
1.-The works well paid as Is twice
paid. Well, I've no objection to twenty
quid. AS for them. they can fight it
out who has her-it's none of my
business
The day of the picnic was a glori-
Gus one, as all days should be. The
river flowed clear and limpid, dream
lily rejecting the panorama of foliage
extending along its banks. The party
set out in the best of spirits for the
days enjoyment.
Ted Eccles took his station behind a
tree, close to the rivers brim. He
was not aware that Jack Bowles had
ensconsed himself behind similar tree
on the opposite bank. Neither was
Jack conscious Of the proximity of his
rival
At length the boat drew abreast of
the chosen spot. Ted and Jack
scarcely breathed as they saw Jim,
unnoticed by Ethel. skilfully with
draw plug from the bottom Of the
boat. There was Il moments intense
silence. Jim had resumed his oars.
Then the dreamy look suddenly van
ished from Ethel's face, and she start
ed to her feet.
30, jim! quick! the boats sprung
leak.
Jim leaped up, too, and, in doing
so, caused the boat to lose its equili-
brium. 1t overturned both it's occu-
pants into the water.
Now was the moment. Both rivals
plunged into the water with one i'm
pulse. Both were excellent swimmers,
and reached the overturned boat in a
few vigorous strokes. Then, for the
first time, they became aware of each
others presence.
Ted, with his arm round Ethels
waist. glared with establishment and
anger at Jack. The latter reciprocated
with interest Ted felt that he was be-
ing defrauded out of his legitimate
laurels. Jack felt that his pet scheme
was being frustrated by the malignity
of his foe. Angry blood surged
through their veins.
Ted was for bearing the clinging
Ethel to his side of the river; Jack
had the intention no less of taking her
to his side, in spite of Ted Eccles or
any other mortal. He caught her by
the arm.
LET go!' spluttered Ted. "Shes
mine. got her first"
"You be hangedv calculated Jack,
fired with Indignation
"Let go, tell your screamed Ted.
'I'll smash your hood for you," was
the response.
LET go! you scOundrel!
go to blazes, you idiot!'
Ted raised his arm and struck Jack
violently in the face. In doing so, he
lost his hold of Ethel, who, shrieking
with fright, drifted away down the
stream. Fortunately Jim was at hand.
He overtok her before she had gone
far and conveyed her safely to shore,
more frightened than hurt.
Meanwhile, the fight waxed furious.
The blow maddened Jack; the looks Of