Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-05-08

Z " U eeINNEN NlVSOO UEol
was better to perish on the rocks striv-
Ing to save the lives he had put in jeop-
ardy than 1t was to live-a murderer!
The rush of the tide was fierce and
strong, but Ralph Trenholme was des-
perate. He knew we'll the fearful risk
he ran, but he did not finch from fac
Ing the danger. He bent every muscle
and sinew to the work. The boat la
bored on over the pillows, the surf
breaking over her at almost every
lurch. Ralph was drenched to the skin.
Rover's Reef had never seemed half so
far away. Ages had elapsed, 1t ap-
peared to him, since he left the harbor.
At last he neared the spot. He heard
the swirling roar of the waves over
the sunken rocks-saw before him the
foam-white breakers, as they dashed
wildly upward-saw, and heard with a
blank and terrible despair at heart
for the Reef was entirely under water!
Great Gcdw he cried, aloud; II have
murdered themr' And dropping the
oars he fell upon his face in the bottom
of the boat, and drifted at the mercy Of
the tide.
1t bore him rapidly down the shore,
but he did not notice whittier he was
going-the terrible weight Of the thing
he had done crushed him utterly. A
sudden shock aroused him. The boat
had stranded on a sandy shore. He
crept from the debris and gazed around.
He recognized the place at once. 1t was
near Highpoint, a place of consider
able shipping interest, about twenty
miles from Portlea. The line of East
Indiamen terminated here, and even
then at the wharf ship was
lying bound for the dis
tant islands of the East. A strong
temptation came over Ralph to flee his
country-to leave behind him every
thing he feared; to go away and let tbe
fearful events of the past night remas7.
to him fearful doubt. His boat VOCAL
be found, and his friends would bellve
him drowned, and no living being csnld
ever know how guilty he had Keen!
How guilty! Had he been guiltyI He
thought it over calmly. 1t had nc, been
premeditated. He had never for a mo-
ment INDUCED in the thought o. taking
this kind of revenge, until jr?t as he
saw the pair push off in their 0oat. He
had been mad then! Nothing short of
insanity could have prompted him to
the fearful act. And after all, what
had he done? Nothing ovsrt. He had
simply removed boat fr,m the Row
er's Reef to the shore. r.'rue, but he
knew when he did it thss for the want
of that boat two fellow-creatures must
go down into the cruel depths Of the sea,
for nothing could save them! Yes, he
was guilty; fearfully eo-this man who
had dared to take Go1's vengeance out
of his all-wise hanGs, who had cast
off his only sister because she
tried to save the life OF
Lynde Graham-ae, even he, was, in
the eye of the law, a murderer!
There was one thing that he wanted to
do, but something stronger than even
his will held Elm back. He wanted to
go before a magistrate and confess the
whole and t. zen let them do with him
as they saw At. But anything like this
would Involve the dishonor and name
of his wife-if part was told, 1t must
all be tok, and he could not bear the
terrible scandal! 1t would be more
dreadful than even the recognition of
his OWE guilt.
He t,rned toward the outward bound
vessel His decision was nearly taken.
A feather would have turned the scales
eitht- way. And it was turned sudden
ly.
"dello, Trenholme!" called a rough
Voice, which he recognized as that of
John Cooper, an old man who lived a
Ettle way from the Rock. cts a nice
amt it? Going back today?
II you be, I'll take you right up in the
Sally Ann"
Fate had decided. He was to go back.
It would be useless to leave the coun-
try now, for honest John would tell all
The neighbors near and far, that he had
spoken to Squire Trenholme at High
port. So he replied, quietly enough:
Eyes, l am going back. Thank you.
ri be glad of a chance in the Sally Ann
for my boat has got stove, and if not,
It's a long row to Portlea."
So an hour after he stood on the |
leck of the fishing schooner, the Sally
Ann, and they were away for Portlea.