Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-01-04

Greta leaned forward to the white
determined face. There was no terro
in her own; the Morryses had no
been used to lose their heads in peril
cit is my fault" she said in low
voice, "You would not have gone bu
for me. Before-anything-happens
you must let me ask you to forgiv'
my selfshness, and to thank you viii
all my heart for the friendship Of
man that you have given me-"
He met the bright blue eyes With I
new light in his own-the approving
look that bravery gives to courage
"There is nothing to forgive" he an
swered hastily.
Another long stroke and then onct
more that ominous crack. For an in
slant Greyford paused; then again thu
oar swept through the surging water.
1t shivered and splintered in his grasp.
Greta's face grew paler as the broken
oar tossed out on the wind.lashed sea.
The boat swayed around in the waves,
rocking and shivering.
Greyford looked up.
II can do nothing with this one oar
in such sea. I loaned Dale the other
pair yesterday"
"And the storm will break in few
minutes" answered Greta, looking
from the dark sky to the island, where
all the girls were doubtless dressing
for dinner, and then at the mass Of
water that lay between them and
safety.
The boat had been swept around to
the south shore, where there was no
chance of their being seen or assisted |;
the hotel and its people had long been
out OF sight.
''There is only one ohance"-Grey.
ford's steady voice paused, and he
looked at her critically-''for life.
We must swim for it. The tide carries
the boat further out each moment,
and il the storm overtakes us there
will be nothing to hope for"
For moment she did not answer.
Perhaps she was thinking Of Clinton,
for her eyes grew tender. Then she
threw off her hat and said:
II think you are right. If it means
life or death, I must do my best to
make the swim easier ; my shoes--and
and"
A faint color crept into her white
face.
EYES," said Greyford, gently. ut
will be hard battle-and we must both
of us do without our useless clothes. F"
He pulled in the other oar and
turned his back to her to remove his
own shoes and cost. One moment
Greta hes,tated; then her shoes came
off and the long outer skirt. She gave
a little gasp and another look at the
water to be gone through; then shs
loosened the full blouse of her gown
removing its girdle and what other
impediments to her free movement
that she could. She wrapped her
clothes into bundle swiftly and gave
a few delft touches to her costume-a
white skirt and q green and white
blouse.
II am ready" she murmured.
With ready tact, he did not look at
her when he turned, but carefully
lifted the bundle OF clothes and put
them in the locker--a swaying, un.
steady performance.
eff we get the boat back they will
be unharmed," he said.
The water gurgled around them and
over them, the singing waves dashed
their faces and tossed their bodies to
and fro. For many minutes they were
almost at the mercy OF the waves. but
at length the long, steady strokes told,
and both were carried slowly forward.
It was true that Grets was an expert
swimmer. Each summer that had
brought her to the coast had proved
it. But the strain now was almost too
severe. Slowly they battled on, gain
ing, gaining The shore could be seen
between the great waves that the wind
dashed over them.
"Can you last five minues longer9"
he asked. "We will reach it then
if-only the storm does not break. I"
Greyford's voice over the water
sounded singularly tender.
eyes," she sighed, though on her
face lay an almost mortal WEAKNESS.
She rejected his offer OF help, and
they struggled on. "What a woman
vor arc - he rnuktarad
ell am giving outl" she said in
low gasps.
"Float again, he answered, "until
you are rested.'
"No," she said, "no-progress."
A great wave dashed over them,
drowning his answer, and low peals of
broke on the air, flashing the
waves to wilder fury.
Greta's arms fell powerless to her
side and, with faint cry, she felt the
water close over her head. Only an
instant of that awful sinking down,
down into death then his strong arm
went around her and buoyed her up
a choking, breathless burden. She
made one last effort and then her feet
touched land. She staggered and fell.
With his face gray with the struggle
that was not yet ended, he lifted her
from the shallow water and carried her
bodily up the sandy beach out Of reach
of the waves. Another crash OF thun.
der pealed through the air and the
storm broke over sea and land. Far
ont on the water tiny boat swayed
and rocked under the storm cloud.
Some minutes they rested motion.
less, exhausted, the salt water drip.
ping from their hair and clothes. Then
he spoke to her, with that new tender.
ness still in his voice, and from their
friendship for each other the common.
place fled forever. Chicago News.
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