The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-01-04

~ JANSo q cleaned a single
W. spark of blood-red
light low down
dpon the western mountains. The Wlnd
had changed from the east, and tne
breeze that famed the boyish brow OF
Ralph Trenholme as he paced back ana
forth over the shingly shore, was ike
the breath of early June. And 1t was
the last of October The sea was SILL
high, tossing in at intervals remnants
of the ill-starred ship that had gone to
pieces on Joliet Rock, just outside the
harbor mouth of Portlea.
How anxious had been the hearts on
shore for that wretched ship! How
earnestly they had watched it since
early dawn, when it had appeared IN the
offing-driven about helpless, at the
mercy of the winds and waters, and at
last dashed upon the cruel rocks. They
had devised vainly among themselves,
those hardy fishermen, ways and means
to save the vessel from her fate. The
proud mistress of Trenholme House
better known as High Rock-had come
out into the storm, as pale and anxious
at the rudest fisherman's wife among
them-come out to beg them to DO all
that human arm could do; to offer them
gold if they could save but one poor
life; and those brave, courageous men
had looked at her, and at each other,
sorrowfully and in silence; they knew
by stern experience that no. boat could
live an hour in a sea like that. And SO
the ship was left to go down unaided.
But Ralph Trenholme could not be
quiet With the daring impulsiveness
of a boy of fourteen, he had thrice
launched the Sea Foam, his own little
boat, to go to the aid of the sufferers,
but as many times had the men of the
coast forced him back. They would
not stand by and see him go to death
for nought. Ralph fought against
them bravely, but was obliged to yield,
and restless, and chatting at his mac
tivity, which seemed to him almost
cowardly, he paced the shore, and
looked out to sea.
There came great wave. He watched
upon it's crest something whittier than
even the foam. He darted down to the
water line, and stood there when it
came so near that it drenched him
through, but he caught the precious
freight it bore in his arms, and by the
wan light he looked into the face of
little child-a girl-perhaps six or seven
years old, with pure features, stilled
into calm repose, and long, curling locks
of gold, floating dripping down, and
tangled with seaweed. She was dressed
in white, and around her waist was
scarf of blue tissue, but the other end
was lost, torn away, probably, from the
support to which she had been bound
by some one who had cared to save her.
Ralph gathered her up with something
like triumph swelling his heart. II
she were only alive he might have the
satisfaction of knowing that he had
saved a life, for if she had been dashed
in upon the shore, the sharp rocks
would have crushed out from that beau
tiful face every semblance of humanity.
He puts his lips down to hers. There
was a faint warmth. He ran up the
steep path leading to High Rock, bear
ing his treasure in his arms, and in to
his mother, who was sitting before the
great fire that streamed redly up the
chimney.
"See what the sea has given me-" he
cried, putting her down on the sofa. "A
real little sea nymph! and as beautiful
as an angelr'
softly, my son." said Mrs. Tren-
holme, with mild dignity. Run for
DR.. Hudson-perhaps she can be re-
stored"
Ralph was off instantly, but when he
returned with the doctor, the little girl
did not need his aid; she was sitting up,
and looking around her with great,
wondering eyes, and flush of scarlet
on either cheek But when they ques-
toned her, she could give no satisfac-
tory reply. She put her hand to her
forehead, in a confused sort of way,
and said she could not remember. All
knowledge of the past was blotted out.