Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-12-26

ceeded in obtaining a precarious footing
on the partially submerged rocks, round
which the tide dashed into fury, was
foaming and raging. A corner of the
mantle worn b. Mildred was all that now
could be seen shove the eddying waves.
! This, with mucl difficulty, he succeeded
in reaching, AMI commenced cautiously
drawing it towards him. To his great
JOY he found chat it still remained wrap
ped around her A single handbreadth
nearer and those golden ,tresses would be
within his reach. His hand was ready 10
| grasp them. when the fastenings OF the
mantle gave way, causing so sudden re-
/ coil as to precipitatc him into the boil
/ ing waves The cold white hand Of the
| drowning woman which touched his face
as he sank beneath the water, caused
/ SILVER to run through his frame, as If it
had been the hand Of death. The next
moment the icy fingers had ciutched
portion Of his garments, dragging him
down and impeding his movements. He
made an effort TO throw off his saturated
( doubet
No no." said be, shuddering, Il can't
do that. II could only get free Of this
/ eddy which is whirling us round, | think
! | could save myself and her, too"
Bear up a little longer; l am coming
! TO your assistance said asyoice from the
shore.
/ The words were instantly succeeded by
a plunge. and looking in the direction
| whence the sounds proceeded he saw
/ Clarence Harleigh. 1t was astonishing
| what new life and vigor verde diffused
| through his frame by the prospect of as
/ sistance. A minute more, and Harieigh
/ had reached them
| Give her into my care now" said he
| You VIII never reach the shore. with
out assist YOU" said Silas.
! Yes, | can. The distance is short
| Take care Of yourself"
| With Harleigh's assistance, the locked
hand was Enclosed, and the next minute,
| though burdened with his helpless charge
he was vigorously breasting the waves
| Silas. who could now divest himself of
| his heavy, saturated jacket, overlook
| them by the time they were beyond deep
| water.
she must be carried to my house."
said Silas, when they reached dry land.
The house of Silas Watkins could be
seen through the trees, and was only at
a short distance. Mrs. Watkins. accom-
panied by Alice Dale, who had sought
shelter there from the violence of the
wind, came out to meet them.
You were too late. and she is dead"
said Alice, as she saw the upturned face
OF Mildred.
Both SilaR and his wife had had some
experience in such cases, and knew how
to proceed according to the most APPROX
ed methods Mt that time known. For
soms time there was no sign of life.
They, however, did not grow rerniss in
J their exerti0ns. which were finally re-
warded with the promise Of success. Two
hours aftefward, when Harleigh and
Alice took leave, though weak, Mildred
was in good, even high spirits, and assur-
ed them that they might expect to see her
soon at Mr., Walworth's.
The next day young man by the name
Of Gilbert Falkland. who for some time
had been a member OF Mr.. WaIworrh's
family, received the subjoiued note from
Mildred Dacres:
Early this morning | sent word TO
Alice Dale that she might expect to see
me half an hour after sunset. Previous
y te meeting her I wish to see you and
have some conversation with yon. Nv
sunset, or a little before, you will find me
at the place where several times we nave
already met"
Mildred was punctuai to the hour she
had named 1t lacked several minutes
of sunset when she reached spot, car
peted with smooth, green turf, and wall.
ed in on every side by majestic oaks.
from whose boughs the wild grape-vine
hung IN broad festoons. Thus the house.
thoug1 distant little more than stones
throw. was completely screened from
view
Net here YETI" said she, seating her
self on a block Of granite
The ords had only time to leave her
lbs vixen the branches of an oak were
thrust aside and young man in a hunt
ins dress entered the enclosure.
You allowed me 20 arrive here before
you, Gilbert Falkland, said she. with
slight accent of displeasure perceptible
! in her voice.
/ For which | would humbly sue for
| pardon" he replied, IF had not already
! twice sought you here in vain. | had
ceased to expect you, when caught
/ glimpse Of you, just rs you entered the
/ glade"
Il hope Clarence Harleigh didn't see
me. too"
NO fear Of that. He was too deeply
| engaged in chatting with the fair Alice TO
have eyes or ears for any one else"
Gilbert Falkland, haven't you the win
aud the means Of putting an end to this?"
Il certajnly have the will'
And where there's a will there's a
way--so says the old saw"
with your aid l shall NOT despair of
| finding the means"
If my aid is wanting. you shall have
I IT, Yet it appears to ME that one so
/ deeply enamored as you are with pretty
Alice Dale would have a spur to his IN
/ gcnuity"
And is there no spur to the ingenuity
/ ot Mildred D,rrrs? x ! am enorored
OF the pretty Allie Dale, hiss uot the
handsome Clarence Uerleish excited your
!. admiratonf"
# admit that | think him fine speci-
! men Of humanity, physically and intel
! lcctually, Yet after all"
You hesitate Shall finish the sen
tence for you:'
I III you vii"
Yet after all, you would say. then,
thar with all his cudowments, moral,
mental and personal his fine estate over
the water possesses in your estimation
! the greater attraction Am | wrougt"
Il may as well own that You are not,
for il We are 60 assist each other, there
should be fair understanding between
us"
Certainly; it IS nothing more than
right"