Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-01-07

finally set off at a steady trot, shaking his
head dismally and muttering hopelessiy TO
himself the while.
"Ropes-strong new ropes-there are
none long or strong enough here. I sent,
him to tell my father what we are going
to do" Winnie said, in reply to Lady
Mildred's questioning; there are two or
three new coils always In the boat-house."
"But those cowardly creatures, Lady
Mildred exclaimed, passionately. dashing
away the binding tears from her eyes
i've cannot make them go down the
cliffs-no reward will make them attempt
I'll A brave sailor would go in q moment!
oh, what shall we do-what shall we dor
The tide is on the turn and no chance Of
rescuel Winnie, Winnie, tell me what are
we to dor Winnie. il is Stephen Treden-
nick who is perhaps down there amongst
those few half-drowned. half-starved meni
Oh, dear Stephen, what shall ! dos" she
wrung her hands and sobbed aloud.
I'VE shall get news very soon, please
Heaven-very soon we shall know tho
truth, Lady Mildred"
"How-howi They are afraid to ven
ture. the miserable wretchesl" Lady Mil
dred cried, with o wall of despair.
ihoJ 4 ohly pOuE IllueT5 duu " low
fisher-lads, besides the C~oastguard men;
and Tregarthen Head is n tremendous
height above the Reef" Winnie Caerlyon
explained. But don't fear, Lady Mil
dred; | know one who will go, II 40 n
else will"
"WhoH" she asked, looking round eager
ly. But Winnie Caerlyon turned away
without a reply. Presently she perceived
the distant forms of men hurrying from
the Coastguard station with the coils Of
rope.
Now, Lady Mildred" she called, "here
are the ropes. Offer your reward, and let
us see who will volunteer. Will any of
you risk your life to save the lives OF the
poor fellows on the Black Reef" Winnie
asked, walking In amongst the crowd.
"Will any one OF you men volunteer to go
over the cliff with a roper"
kind OF s%huddering silence ran through
the group, each man looking into his
neighbours face.
"A hundred g%uineas to him who does IL,
my menu Lady Mildred said, passionate
ly, trying to compel herself to O and
e%ntreat, when she would fain have ordered
instant obedience. 'Is there not one that
will try You know whose ship is the one
lost and broken over there on the rocks
you know who would faiu dare hope Is
amongst the few who have cscaped-you
knew him as we'll as ~ she said; and, in
spite of pride and fierce impotence, she
burst into tears before them. IF you will
not try to save Captain Stephen T'rcden-
nick-Tredennick Of Tregarthen-for his
own sake, for your memory of him, my
entreaty is, l fear, useless. FIVE hundred
pounds to him who saves him!'
III do II, my LADY," The brave words
came from the youngest man, in the
crowd-a mere lad in years-curly-haired
Will Treglyn, a poor crippled miners only
son.
ooh, not You, Will, not you, and your
poor father with no one elsel" the women
cried.
81 will domy best, l tell 'ey' cried sturdy
Will. I'll have n try for ct, anyhowsl"
"Oh, VIII, your poor mother-'twell be
her DEATH" the women chorused again.
as his mother hereS' demanded Lady
Mildred, turning on thu frightened group
so that they qualled into muttering sill
ence. '"Then hold your tongues, and let
the brave fellow ~alone!'
Winnie Caerlyon grasped his hand and
pressed it tightly.
Continued Next Weekly