The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12

then, with swift. quick movement, threw
away both oars, and folded his arms.
FOR second instant Sheila stared at hin
as II not crediting the evidence of her OWL
eyes, and then burst into wild exclamation
of of amaze.
'Roddy, Roddy, what have you done:
eaten them before it is too late!" she cried
out he only smiled trumphantly
1t is too late! Did | not tell you once thai
would rather see you dead than belonging
to another man? And | could not live mysel1
knowing you were dead; so the only logica
conclusion is for to die together sweet
heart knew every inch of the currents here
ana In about ten minutes we shall drift down
INTO the Devils Teeth, and you and [ will
go down together into the quiet depths
clasped heart to heart. You will not suffer
much after the first struggle, dearest And
oelleVe me- sweet, am doing it for your real
happiness
He spoke in a strange, rapt voice. that
terrified the girl than violence could
have done.
You will not murder me, Roddy, ah! surely
not, she cried, plteously, all the color fading
from her sweet face as she noted how neal
they were drawing to the fateful Devils
teeth. oh! you know L have never harmed
You Wllfully. Have little mercy on me- and
let me go.''
1t loved you less than 1 do, [ might have
listened to you. AS it is, there was nothing
else for me to do he made answer. "Would
tnat otner man face death with you as 1 do?'
know he would if need were, but at
least. l am sure that he would not so abuse
my trust as to trap as you have done -
she cried, in helpless anger. She was looking
wildly round for aid, but there was none.
All along the desolate shores not a single
creature was in sight, and even were it other
wise Of what avail would that have been
All, Roddy, Roddy, have mercy on me, I
can't die, I can't she walled, suddenly
breaking into agoniZed tears.
He stepped forward and sitting down bv
her side, put an round her.
Poor little Sheila, you so afraid? 1t
will soon be over, just one plunge and a
struggle or two-perhaps not so much for
there are the rocks-and then rest and peace
forever, he said in a strange, distracted
voice, and looking at her with something very
like madness in his eyes
There had always been a queer strain in the
Joyces, and in their past there was more than
one tragedy, hushed up in the clannish fash
ion of the Western folks.
They could neither hate nor love moder-
ately, and any man less absorbed than Mr.
Irwin would have hestated to let his daugh-
ter grow up with one of the race so init
rnately.
The daylight had been gradually growing
more and more lurid, one of the swift noun
tain storms was rolling down upon themcand
even as Roderic spoke there was a sudden
rift in the purple clouds and vivid zigzag-
g1ng flash of lightning lit up the lake fol-
lowed almost Immediately by an echong peal
OF thunder that seemed as if it would never
cease to reverberate among the mountains.
See. see we die with fitting funeral
kneI!'' cried Roderic with a wild laugh.
Stella cast frantic glance round her,
darkness seemed enveloping them
They were in the stream of the DEVILS
Teeth, moment more and death would be
upon them; they would be tossed from rock
to rcck, torn and bleeding, suffocating and
agonizing.
She raised her voice in wild, unreasoning
Shrek.
Gerald. Gerald, come to me, save me! All,
Gerald Gerald"
Ah, you nothing to him now You are
mine and mine only. This is the marriage of
our souls,' cried Roderic, exultingly, and
catching her to him, he held her fast against
his breast.
Another fash. a deafening peal: the boat
was rocking violently; they were in the Dew
lis Teeth; the swirl and rush of water was
all about them
Instinctively, the girl clung to the man
who had so often shielded and protected her
and in his distraught brain he took it for a
sign that after all. she loved him
Have courage sweetheart I'll save Won
yeti he shouted; but even as he spoke the
boat swung round there was sickening Jar
the sound of spntering wood, and the next
instant the waters had closed above their
heads.
Downtown into unmeasured depths they
went. All! the anguish of 1.-THE pressure
on brain and lungs
Up again. A breath of dear air. and once
more that agonizing struggle for life.
Through it all she was still aware of that
firm grip upon her, and his voice once rang
family in her ears.
She was dimly conscious, too that he was
making desperate efforts to fight against the
wild waters but in vain.
And then came a mighty ringing in her
ears and blessed oblivion This then was
death, and with that she knew no more
Gerald Fanshawe found the morning very