Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-07-08
CHAPTER Iv.-CoNT1NUED.

lN
Angus caught sight of two white
hands, then of whittier face, Surround
ed by clustering hair, as it rose above
the surface.
Courage! Courage!" he cried, and
with all the might in his powerful
frame he plowed through the wateAs,
nearing the form of the one he loved.
Clara heard that cry, and on the in
slant the thought passed through her
brain: Il am saved
Then she sank agaih-down, down;
strange roaring sounds were in her ears,
but her lips were firmly closed.
AS that loved form sank second
time from view, so also did the form of
Angus Bruce, and when he reappeared
on the rivers surface he bore in his
arms the form of Clara Hill.
He clasped her round the waist with
his left arm, and sustained himself on
the water with his right.
Her arms were around his neck, cling
ing as-will drowning person to any
thing in reach.
"Couragei Dear heart! Courage.
Clara Belle! don't clasp me quite so
tight, alas, that must say that! There,
so-that will do.
Hey! Calvin, quick! Mate, quick!"
''Unloose me, Angus, and let me
drown, else will you drown too.'
''Unloose you, Clara Belle? not while
life lasts. You are dearer to the heart
of Angus Bruce than life itseIf-why,
we float the rivers surface like cork;
laugh at your fears, you'll never drown,
while clinging to Bruce"
"Oh, Angus! Angus! but for you,
eh
AYE, Clara Belle, and but for that
lucky fall, would never have known
the happiness of this hour; it will go
with me through life, yes, even to the
grave"
ooh, Angus! August"
With her helm hard-a-port, the
schooner had rounded to, and now lay
athwart the river, her sails tapping
idly and emptied of the breeze.
Calvin Stewart, the mate, had low
cred the yaw1, and with two good men
was pulling to the rescue.
When he reached them Angus lifted
Clara, with the help of Calvin, into the
yawl, and was soon seated beside her.
When the boat reached the side of the
schooner, a rope ladder was hanging to
the rail. by which to ascend to the deck,
Q
it.
Are you strong enough to climb the
ladder, Miss Hip
''Oh yes, my brave rescuer, certainly"
Then glaneing up, she saw at the head
of the ladder Herbert Lathrop leaning
over the rail. But you go first, cap
tain, and help me over the rail, for
like not Herbert I4athrop, and but for
- oh 81 II fol h; 1.of !, ,
Il am glad of that" said Angus.
so, which? that I like not Herbert, or
that 1 took the bat1?'
"Of-of both, Miss HILL" said Angus,
as he climbed to the deck.
'Oh. captain."
gAs Angus mounted the deck, Herbert
said: "a brave act, Capt. Bruce, brave
aot!"
H"Oh no." said Angus, none but cow
ard would see a lady drown; had
stood where you did, when she went
overheard, she would have little more
than been immersel; now she Is well
soaked
Herbert hated Angus Bruce from that
time.
well, you have done your duty, cap
tain, now stand aside and will receive
Miss Hilf.'
''Not so, Herbert Lathrop, never do
things by half" and Herbert bit his
lips, as Angus lifted Clara over the rail
ing, and, followed by the weeping Fam
ME, bore her to the cabin.
Don't cry, Fannie! don't cryi the
time to cry has passed. am quite over
my scare now-only wringing Wet
MY sister Jennie said Angus, ''ac-
companied me to Charleston on my last
trip down the coast. You wifi find in the
bureau there, dresses and clothing that
she left aboard beg YOU viii speedily
make use of such as please you; there is
wine in that decanter-now 1 viii go
and put on dry toggery, as this is too
wet. even for a sailor"
When Angus returned to his berth
and changed his clothing. he thought
of some of the language he had used,
under the excitement of the moment.
while he was rescuing Miss Hill, and
felt somewhat abaShed.
Clara Hill is not for me-" he said,
''but by the gods. she will never find a
heart that loves her more-I have saved
her life for some more fortunate man"