The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-01-11
CHAPTER m.-(CoNr1NUED.,

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 hlled
up the days, and in the evening they
had dancing and music and conversa-
ton. Miss Ireton professed great at
tachment for Agnes, but toward Marina
she was always frosty, though sum
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 ne
most devoutly wished to know Wnetner
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 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 bunch OF purple
flowers. She claped her hands with
childish glee.
what lovely blossoms! Such per-
81 T Wi
them for my hair! My heliotropes 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
gerous!'
Ralph laughed.
Gallant gentlemen, to think of dan
ger where a lady's qualification is con-
cerned! I count myself fortunate to be
allowed the privilege of risking so little
for so much?'
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 precipltated
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. It
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:
CDR. Graham, we must get him up.
There are ropes and a 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:
mo, I can go best of all. Your
strength will be needed to draw us both
I'D. And 7 have lived among these cliffs
from childhood
They offered no further resistance,
but lowered her carefully down. She
touched the hand of Ralph Trenholme
1T was warm. Her heart gave great
bound. She knew that he lived. She
disengaged the rope and put it about
him, and in rapid succession both were
drawn up to their friends.
Trenholme was only stunned, and the
motion revived him. He rose to his
feet, and took the flowers from his
bosom. Some deep purpose glowed in
his eyes. He turned to Marina, who
stood a little apart.
"They are children of the salt spray,
like yourself, Marina" he said. Wear
them and do me honor"
She colored slowly, bowed her grace