The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26

Basil.
Are you hurt?" she asked, constrainedly,
though her heart was futtering.
I'm afraid I've Sprained my ankle. l was
FOOLISH enough to try to climb that cliff, and,
somehow, l slipped, and fell with all my
weight ON my foot. 1 can't walk single
step-nay, 1 can't much as crawl. l
couldn't have believed a sprain would have
been SO painful
Il will go and bring help said Nora,
quietly. But, if your foot is so painful,
you'd perhaps, better let me bind it up for
you first. 1 have learned how to do anything
Of that kind
eff you don't mind the trouble" said Sir
Basil, gratefully. 1T is awfully painful, and
it would, perhaps, reduce the swelling,
wouldn't it? I've managed to get my boot
and sock Off See!"
He stretched out his foot and Nora, who
had profted largely by some ambulance lee
lures she had attended, in a moment
that the sprain a very bad one.
The foot was already discolored, and was
swelling fast.
It's awfully good of you," he said, looking
up into her face with very grateful glance,
as she proceeded to bandage the foot with
his handkerchief and her own.
'Of course, I'm only too glad to be of use,
she answered, softly, going on deity with her
bandaging. Il hope 1 don't hurt you very
much. 1 know quite well how painful these
sprains are.
Nov 1 must leave you, while go and find
someone who can help you away from here"
she said, rising to her feet THE tide is COM
ing in rather fast-faster than usual think.
must make haste.'
And as she spoke she cast a somewhat
anxious glance at the white crested waves
which WERE, indeed, tumblng and rolling
alarmingly near them on every side.
There was stretch of ground, few yards
in width, still uncovered; and along this Nora
started at run, apprehensive that she might
even now be too late.
She reproached herself bitterly for not
having noticed how swiftly the tide was
rising.
She had not run more than fifty yards be-
fore she was brought to sudden standstill
Turning sharply round the edge of a cliff
she found nothing but water in front of her
water at least two feet deep.
She could have Waded through it and
reached dry land in safety; but there was Sir
Basil
She could not-she would not leave him.
Helpless as he was with his injured foot he
might be swept away by those merciless wa
tiers before she could fetch anyone to his as
SiStance.
She must go and help him herself.
She ran back, pale and wide-eyed, but very
calm; and he, seeing her coming, guessed
in a moment what had happened, and set his
teeth hard at the thought of what might be
in store for them both.
1--we come back for you,' she called out
breathlessly, when she came within half a
dozen yards Of him. The tide is coming in
so fast that l don't think it would be safe for
you to stay here many more minutes Per-
haps if you leaned me you could manage
to get away from this"
you shouldn't have come back" he said
you should have saved yourself and not
have risked your life for me-
IF I'd done such cowardly thing as that
shouldn't have been worth saving" she
said, with decision. mo; I'll do the best 1
can for you now you can't help yourself just
as know you'd have done your best for me-
Do lean on me, please, as heavily as you
like. I'm very strong, you won't hurt me-
Don't be afraid
With her help he struggled to his feet, and
leaning hard upon her shoulder managed to
limp along on his uninjured foot, painfully
dragging the other after him.
They reached the spot at which Nora had
turned back few minutes since; but in those
few minutes the water had increased ap-
pallingly.
They waded into it bravely, with white set
faces, but both were very brave and calm.
III minute two, however it became
evident that it would be madness to attempt
to go further.
Nora alone might have made her way
through in safety; but not if she was i'm
peded by Sir Basil
He begged her to leave him; but this she
would not do.
Let us get back to the Cliffs" she said
I'VE might be able to climb up there little
way"
lean upon her shoulder.
The waves all but touched the spot
where Sir Basil had sat ten minutes ago. and
it was evident the tide was coming in faster
and faster every moment
They both called for help as loudly as they
were able, but it was with little hope of be-
ing heard.
Above their heads the cliff lowered to the
height Of two hundred feet, and before them
stretched cruel waste of water on which
speck that told of human life could any
where be deserted.
There was narrow ledge of rock three or
four feet up the side of the cliff and on to
this Nora climbed with infinite difficulty.
then held out her hand to Sir Basil
will you tly?" she said, simply Il am
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