The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-07-21
ly excited in her woman's nature ;

ly excited in her woman's nature
sense of inexplicable repulsion-
She was no coward, but the recol
lection of Mawle's face one night-th'
face of one pursuing and pursued-in |
crowded, lamplit street had caused he
TO run homeward, with terror at he
heart, as hurriedly as though there haC
been no one to defend her within sighi
or call.
Upon that very same night, as shs
had reason to remember, SherwoOd's
bank had been robbed. \ box con.
tanning large sum in notes and GOLD
had disappeared from Sherwood's
strong room. No doubt existed thai
Andrew Mawle, who had failed to re.
port himself at the bank since the
affair happened, was the sole culprit.
A big reward had been offered for his
arrest
For some days past Sue had known
that Martin was ON the mans track.
But she had shrunk instinctively from
taking any part in the pursuit. Her
terror of him had increased. 1t was
only her passionate love for Martin
Cartwright that had given her the
courage of which she had such desper-
ate need tonight.
They were now gliding into the
black shadow under the archway of a
huge bridge. When fairly on the 9TH
er side, Cartwright said: "Sue, we will
now turn about. Easy, Sue. Now,
mind, be ready to unship the moment
l give the word"
The boat was moving upon an al
most motionless tide and soon drop
ped down stream under another arch
of the same bridge. Then Cartwright
whispered:
Now"
The sculls were instantly unshipped,
and by the light of his lantern Cart
wright contrived to steer alongside the
masonry. Next moment he had seiz-
ed rope dangling against the side and
was standing up, with the boat station
AIRY beneath him.
Catch hold, Sue. I'm going up
hand over hand on to ledge in the
ironside overhead. That's where that
precious box is slowed. Steady. Now
give me three minutes, and the things
done"
He left her no time for possible
vacillation. There was no choice but
for her TO grasp the rope with a desper-
ate grip as he began to ascend.
A few moments of intense anxiety
followed. Sue Lawson felt the rope
go slack Martin had hoisted himself
up, and she concluded that he was
perched safely on the iron girders.
But no sound reached her from over
head.
She was on the point of whispering,
is all well?'' when a cry, as though
some one had received keen tap,
caught her ear. Next moment some-
thing fell hea gily beside the boat. The
water was splashed up upon he. hands
and face.
The first thought that came into the
girls head was about the box. II had
dropped out of Cartwright's hand and
had fallen into the river, but next mo-
ment she became aware that some one
was struggling in the water within
yard of the boat. Had Martin Cart
wright lost his foothold and tumbled
between the beams into the Thames?
In an instant she had let go her hold
lpon the rope and had seized the liant
.rn lying in the stern ready at hand
She cast a searching light into the
liver in the direction in which she had
heard the splash. Nothing crossed
he circle of light.
And now the tide had turned. The
,oat was drifting. She bent eagerly
,ver the stern, still searching. A sense
# dread lest Cartwright should be
.arried away, carried beyond reach of
ler aid, had taken a hold upon her.
She had opened her lips to utter his
lame. But of a sudden the light fell
distinctly upon the face of man, his
read uncovered, vigorously breasting
he ebb tide She uttered stiiied, cry
md the lantern which she still held
,ver the water fell from her hand.
IL was the face of Andrew Mawle.
Sue Lawson's boat had drifted al .
most within touch of Queenhithe stairs
lpon the increasing ebb tide before the
,irl had fully recovered from her sense
# overmastering stupefietion. 1t now
:rossed her thoughts to go and secure |
Ter fathers aid in the rescue of Martin |
from his perilous position |
As she landed the girl looked back, |
Ireading she might find Andrew |
Iawle at her heels. She peered down
down into the dark river on all |
ides-but he was nowhere to be seen.
At this moment a stalwart figure |
With a lantern appeared at the head of |
he stairs.
"Why, girl, What's to do?''
''Father. Martin needs you. Come"
Ii was not until she had seated her
elf in the stern of their boat, her faith
r at the souls, that she could find
reath to tell him everything.
They had brought the boat along
ide, at last, under the dark arch.
4awson had found the rope still dang
ing against the wall. This rope was
Ixed to one of the iron girders, and |
he ascent by this means was mere
hild's play to a man like Sues father,
to riverside work.
Sue watched him intently As he
vent up with the handle of the lam
ern between his teeth, but she spoke
10 word. Presently her fathers shad-
W fell upon her.
STEADY therer'-and he looked |
own between the girders-''I;m a.
omin aboard"
"Isn't," she asked falteringly, isn't
Iartin therep'
STEADY girl-steady. There amt |
iobody up here"
Sue clutched at the rope with which
he was holding the boat against the
bbing water under the archs-clutched |
4 IL with a frantic grin Then she |