The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-08-04

""'S I iioai MS iIpo. Iic uuuS one manu-
up wildly in the air. Found he
shouted, and rushed out TO the beach
before any of the men present could
stop him.
Mrs. Crawford put her arms round
Clara and held her up. She had not
made movement; she had not spoken
a word. The sight OF Wardour's face
bad petrified her.
The minutes passed, and there rose
sudden burst OF cheering from the
sailors on the beach, near the spot
where the flshermen's boats were
drawn up. Every man left his work
Every man waved his cap in. the air
The passengers. near at hand, caught
the infection OF enthusiasm, and
joined the crew. A moment more, and
Richard Wardour appeared again in
the doorway carrying man in his
arms. He staggered, breathless with
the effort that he was making, TO the
place where Clara stood, held up in
Mrs. Crayford's arms.
Saved, Clara" he cried. Saved for
your
He released the man. and placed him
in Clara's arms. Frank, Footsore and
weary, but living! Saved-saved for
her. Now, Clara" cried Mrs Cray
ford, which of us is right? |, who
believed in the mercy of God-or you,
who believed in a dream"
She never answered; she chung to
Frank in speechless ecstasy. She
never even looked at the man who had
preserved HMM the first absorbing
joy of seeing her lover alive. Step by
step, slower and slower, Richard
Wardour drew back and left lem by
themselves.
Il may rest now" he said family.
u may sleep at last. The task is done.
The struggle is over"
His last reserves Of strength had
been given TO Frank. He stopped, he
staggered, his hands wavered fee
bly, in search of support. But for
one faithful friend he would have
fallen. Crawford caught him. Cray
ford laid his Old comrade gent
ly on some sails strewed in corner,
and pillowed Wardour's weary head
on his own breast. The tears streamed
over his face. Richard Dear Rich
ard" he said. "Remember-and for
give me-"
Richard neither needed nor heard
him. His dim eyes still looked across
the room at Clara and Frank
Il have made hec happy! he muir
INJURED. Il may lay down my weary
head now on the mother earth that
bushes all her children to rest at last.
Sink, aeart! sink, sink to rest. Oh,
look at them he said to Crawford,
with burst OF grief.' They have for
gotten me already"
1t was true! The interest was all
with the two lovers. Frank was
young, and handsome, and popular
Officers, passengers, and sailors, they
all crowded round Frank They all
forgot the martyred man who had
saved h.m-the man who was dying in
Crayfori 8 arms.
Crawford tried once more to attract
his atteution-to win his recognition
while there was yet time
Richard, speak to me. Speak to
your ola friendw
He looked round; ne vacantly repeat
ed Crayrord's last word.
Friend" he said. MY eyes are
dim. friend; my mind is dull. | have
lost all memories bat the memory of
her. Dead thoughts--alt dead thoughts
but that one! And yet you look at
me kindly. Why has your face gone
down with the wreck OF all the rest?'
He paused. His face changed; his
thoughts drifted back from present to
past. He looked at Crawford vacantly:
lost in the terrible remembrances that
were rising in him. as the shadows rise
with the coming night.
"Hark we, friendw he whispered.
Never let Frank know 1t. There was
a time when the fiend within me hun
gered for his life. / had my hands
Tempter speaking to me: Launch il,
and leave him to die" I waited, with
my hands on the boat and my eyes
on the place where he slept. Leave
him! leave him" the Voice whispered.
Love him. the lads voice answered
moaning and murmuring In his sleep.
Love him. Clara, for helping me" l
heard the morning wind come up in the
silence over the great deep. Far and
near. 1 heard the groaning of the float
ing ice. floating. floating, to the clear
water and the balmy air. And the
wicked Voice noated AWAY with it