Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-09-29


the clustering curls that the water had not
Strengthened about it,
Suddenly, one of the oars gave an omi-
almost to his lips.
"Godr' he muttered. "This thing can
not stand the strain, and we are haK
mile from shore ="
Greta leaned forward to the white de-
termined face There was no terror in her
own, the Morryses had not been used to
lose their heads in peril
sit is my fault" she said in low voice.
"You would not have gone but for me-
-anything-happens you must let
me ask you to forgive my selfishness and
to thank you with all my heart for the
friendship Of man that you have given
me'
"There is nothing to forgive" he an.
swered hastily.
Another long stroke and then once more
that omino1s crack; the oar swept through
the surging water, it shivered and splin-
tered in his grasp.
Greyford looked up II can do nothing
with this one oar in such sea. 1 lent
Dale the other pair yesterday"
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 be-
tween them and safety.
Greyford 8 eyes had followed her There
was no single person on shore and not an
other boat of any description to be seen.
Even the mail steamer was not due for an
hour. The boat gave sudden lurch over
on to its side and pool of water filled the
bottom.
"There is only one chance" GreyfoNl's
steady voice paused and he looked at he1
critically. "for life We must swim for it
The tide carries the boat farther out eacf
moment, and if the storm overtakes III
there will be nothing to hope for
For moment she did not answer. Their
she threw off her hat and said: II think
you are right If it means life or death,
must do my best to make the swim easier
| My shoes-and-and"- A faint colol
crept into her white face.
EYES," said Greyford gently, sit will b.
hard battle, and we must both Of us d.
without our-useless clothes"
He turned his back to her to remove hi
own shoes and coat. One moment Greti
| hesitated; then her shoes came off and thu
long outer skirt. She gave little gasl
and another look at the water to be gon,
| through; then she loosened the blouse o
| her gown. removing it's girdle and wha
| other impediments to her free movemen
that she could.
II am ready" she murmured.
With ready tact, he did not look at he
when he turned, but carefully lifted tn
bundle Of clothes and put them IN the lock
er, swaying, unsteady performance.
eff we get the boat back, they will b.
unframed" he said.
Very gravely she held out both her hand
to him. He took them in his own with
warm, close clasp, and they looked int.
each others eyes-a man and a womal
with all the guarding conventionalities o
life swept away.
The water gurgled around them and owe
them, the singing waves dashed thei
faces and tossed their bodies to and fro
For many minutes they were almost at thu
mercy of the waves, but at length the long
| steady strokes told and both were carried
slowly forward.
| 1t was true that Greta was an exper
| swimmer. Each summer that had brOugh
her to the coast had proved it, but thu
strain now was almost too severe.
"Can you last five minutes longer" HI
asked "We will reach it then--if-onl,
the storm does not break" Greyford
voice over the waves sounded singularl!
tender.
"I-I am giving out" she said in Low
gasps.
"Float again." he answered, "unti
| you are rested"
"No," she said. "No-progress
A great wave dashed over them, drown
ing his answer, and low peals of thunde
broke on the air, lashing the waves to wild
er fury.
Gretas arms fell powerless to her side
and, with faint cry, she felt the wate
close over her head. Then his strong arm
went round her and buoyed her up, chok
ing, breathless burden. She made one las
effort, and then her feet touched land Sh,
staggered and fell.
A crash of thunder pealed through tn,
air, and the storm broke over sea ant
land. Far out on the water tiny boa
swayed and rocked under the stormcloud
Some minutes they rested, motionless
exhausted. Then he spoke to her, will
that new tenderness still in his voice, ant
from their friendship for each other tn,
commonplace fed forever. - New Yorl