The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-01-27
CHAPTER U.-(CoSrrSUEp.D


gentlemen with their sisters up from
the city, and Miss Ireton came over to
the Rock with a gay party of her own
friends. Boating, picnicking, hunting,
fishing and strolling in the woods filled
up the days, and in the evening they
had dancing and music and converse
ton. Miss Ireton professed great at
tachment for Agnes. but toward Marina
she was always frosty, though sufh-
GENTLY gracious to avoid attracting at
tention
Ralph saw plainly whittier his mother
was drifting. She had set her heart
upon his making Imogene his wife. She
had never told him so, in just so many
words, but her every act spoke her de-
sire. Ralph loved his mother and he
most devoutly wished 10 know whether
he loved Miss Ireton. Sometimes when
she sat beside him, her faced dropped,
her eyes downcast, her fragrant breath
warm on his face, he fancied she was all
the world to him, and then a single
tone of Marina's sweet voice would dis
pei even the memory of Imogene's pres
ence
One sunny afternoon, the party at the
Rock went for a ramble down the
shore Imogene, swinging her straw
hat on her arm, walked by the side OF
Ralph. Growing far down in a cleft
of a rock, she spied a bunch of purple
flowers. She claped her hands with
childish glee.
vI,ot ynltr ~ SY,nh q nc
feet shade of purple! How wish l had
them for my hair! My helotropes are
ugly by comparison And she tore
the odious things from her massive
braids and crushed them in her hand.
Marina, too, was looking down at the
coveted flowers. Ralph stepped toward
them. Lynde Graham and Mr.. Yer
stein both spoke together.
Don't go, Trenholme! 1t looks dan
gerousr'
Ralph laughed.
Gallant gentlemen, to think of dan
ger where a lady's qualification is con-
cerned! / count myself fortunate to be
allowed the privilege of risking so little
for so muchv'
Miss Ireton blushed with triumph.
Marina's eyes were downcast.
Ralph swung himself over the cliff.
Both the girls advanced to look over.
He gathered the blossoms, put them in
his bosom, and prepared to return. But
he placed his foot on an insecure stone:
it gave way, and he was precipitated
downward. A clump of spruce broke,
somewhat, his fall, but those who
looked over the brink hardly dared
hope that there was anything but death
beneath!
Miss Ireton fell back, pale and trem-
bling. Agnes lost all consciousness in
a swoon, but Marina leaned over, and
called into the depths, with her clear,
soft voice
"Mr Trenholme"'
She always called him so now. 1t
was no longer Ralph, as of old. There
was on reply. She rose up, pale as death,
but there was no tremor in her voice
as she said:
"Dr. Graham, we must get him up.
There are ropes and boat few rods
above"
Graham was off for them and back
again in a moment. The gentlemen
looked at each other inquiringly. There
was no way to reach Trenholme, save
by descending the face of the cliff.
Marina took an end of the rope and
made it fast around her waist.
They read her purpose in her eyes
and strove to dissuade her, but she
/ answered, calmly,
Z mo, | can go best of all Your
\ strength will be needed to draw us both
4 up. And have lived among these cliffs
/ from childhood"
They offered no further resistance,
Y but lowered her carefully down. She
\ touched the hand of Ralph Trenholme
4 lit was warm. Her heart gave a great
E bound. She knew that he lived She
K disengaged the rope and put it about
+ him, and in rapid succession both were
drawn up to their friends.
Il Trenholme was only stunned, and the
motion revived him. He rose to his
feet. and took the flowers from his
4 bosom. Some deep purpose glowed in
his eyes. He turned to Marina, who
stood little apart.
"They are children of the sast spray,
like yourself Marina" he said. Wear
them and do me honor"