The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-03-03
A FAINT CRY CAME TO THE THoRNE.

FAINT CRY CAME TO THE THORNE.
many boats came-but not SO far-not
skiffs-not with something white fly
ing from the prov In terrified signal OF
distress--surely not with frightened
cries for help-for mamma" and
papa" But why should Thorne stop
to help. Dave was close behind him, 80
close that If he changed his course now
enough to rescue the little skiff, he
would be too late by the time he had
come back and rounded the pudding
stone" buoy on the starboard side
Dave would have passed him.
A wave tossed the little craft on its
crest-another, and another, each wave
nearer to the whirl of water over the
rocks. Thorne could see the spindle on
the crag standing like warning fig
ure. 1t was time to tack out around IL
and start on the last leg home. Again
came that frightened, sobbing cry, SO
homeless and so lost. Thorne looked at
his crew.
st say, Thorne, the Fleetwing seems
to be gaining" called little Harley.
"We can't be losing now, eh?"
Thorne's hand trembled on the
wheel. The rudder swayed. Slowly
the shadow of the sail swung round
over its captain. With a cry Of amaze
ment the boys flung themselves into
the lockpit. "What on earth, Thorne;
there's the buoy on the port hand"
Thorne nodded to the drifting boat,
already circling in the edge OF tho
whirlpool.
"Get the boat hook, Harley, quick.
Ease her off, Bob; there she comes,
now then, that's it. There's no hurry,
Harley, we can't win. Thank God, we
saw them in time"
"Never mind, then, they'll find out
who's won," he added, quietly, as
long faint shout from the baffled Fleet
wing warned them that their course
was seen.
For as Joe eased the sheets to go
about he saw the Conqueror headed
home, but with the pudding stone
spindle on the wrong side, and he said
| in a puzzled way: "Do look at Thorne,
will you; isn't he inside the mark?"
"By Jove, so he is" shouted Joe, an
grily. Call him, boys, let him know
we've seen him cheating"
"Never mind, never mind" cried
Dave, "wait till we get home, the cheat.
Well settle with him then" Dawes
| heart swelled as he saw the hated
black hull, its huge canvas taut. rip
ping through the rough sea as though
| 1t cared not stroke for honor. "Cow-
| ard!" groaned Dave.
The angry blood flooded his cheeks
and shook his voice as he touched the
pier. For even his father and mother
were there, holding Thorne' hands and
laughing ecstatically. And his two
little sisters all wet and tumbled laugh
ing in his mothers arms. Dave could
sprang ashore. Father, mother, do
| you know what he did"
"Oh, Dave, did you see 1t, too; how
can we ever thank him? If it had not
been for him, If he had not been there
Just at that moment, Dick says tina,
he and Mary would have been drowned
Oh, can't think of it; such narrow
escape. And Mr.. Thorne lost the race
too. 1t was too late to 60 back then
AS Dave understood he held out hi,
hand. you've won the cup" he said
swiftly. "Thorne, I'm mighty glad, ole
fellow"
"Not I" laughed Thorne; "it's yours
of course"
So that is why there are two name!
on the sloop cup, instead of one, and
why 1t stands on the mantel in the
| club house: its proudest trophy.-N. Y
Ledger. - --