The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-09-22

dier's life, or that it would give you no
pleasure to have me share lit"
III.
"Will you 60 on the lake with me this
afternoon, Miss Fay" asked Major
Howard, Q week later. at looks a
little squally, but We will keep close
in to shore, so as to run home, If the
clouds thicken."
"Of course I will come" assented
Fay; 'tand as to the clouds, don't watch
them too closely. rather like storms"
what perfect picture she makesw
thought Roydon, as promptly at the ap-
pointed time, he assisted her into the
little sail-boat he had named in her
honor-the yachting dress of dark blue,
fitted closely to the exquisitely outlined
figure, and on the golden braids nestled
a coquettish saiior-hat. Fifteen min
utes later, a splendid breeze had car
ried them far out ON the lake.
''The storm has concluded to postpone
itself in our special favor" said Roy
don, glancing up at the blue sky; cor
perhaps they don't think soldiers
should be too severely tried, as sailors.
Which is it, Miss FayT'
'Do you appeal to me as the spirit
Of the storm cloud? If SO, shall call
upon 1t to avenge me-"
He answered her simply by a look;
but it caused her eyes to droop.
She stretched one little, white hand
down to the waters edge, watching the
current resist 1t as the boat sped on
ward.
49," he unused, Jam / resisting the
voice Of my heart-so must l resist to
the end?"
They spoke but little. They were
alone and together-around them
water, above them the sky, beneath
them a grave. And both were young,
and in each heart the same voice was
speaking; yet their lips were sealed.
Thus an hour passed when suddenly
Roydon tackled.
what are you doingT cried Fay. In
tone Of disappointment Surely
we're not going home"
II wish we were already there!' he
answered with blanched cheeks, just
as little breath of wind, fresher than
any they had felt, blew upon them.
Don't be frightened, Miss Fay" con-
tinued Roydon, reassuringly. Its one
of these treacherous squalls. We're in
for it; but I'll do the best can"
"Can't / help you?
The man glanced up amazed. She
neither cried nor groaned. There was
no tremor in her tone. His cheeks were
whittier than hers.
"Pshaw! she does not realize the dan
GER" he said, mentally. Can you hold
this?" handing her a rope as he spoke.
The next moment the squall struck
them. The little yacht lay fully on its
side, then righted itself.
Fay's lips were little pale now, but
no sound escaped them, only she had
held so tightly to the rope that 1t al
ready had cut into the tender flesh.
The storm was now fully upon them.
1t was fierce as it was sudden. They
were drenched with water. They
could no longer see each other for the
spray.
Fay" cried Roydon, you are fright
ened"
with your she answered. ''Nov'
and her tone was firmer than his.
The next moment, the boat, struck
by a sharper blast than the first, went
over. Both found themselves clinging
to its sides.
"Fay, tell me-" he said, that you
forgive me for this! Oh, must we die
when life holds SO much sweetnessT'
1.-THE storm won't last long. We
may yet be saved" she answered, "but,
Roydon, If 1 slip, don't try to save me.
1t will only lose two lives, and mine is
not worth so much as yours"
my God! without you, what would
mine be?'
The words escaped him ere he real
lied their meaning.
Live it, then, for my sake, dearr'
replied the girl, "and remember, always
had 1 my choice, would have chosen
to have died thus with you rather than
to have lived on without you. My
love, good-by!'
| The next instant the waters had
caught her, and torn her bleeding
hands, all cut by the rope, from their
slight hold; but Major Howard had
spoken words with no idle meaning
when he had asked her what his life
would be without her.
Quick rs the current, in its angry
greed for its beautiful prey, he threw
about her his protecting arm. Then
as though heaven smiled, the winds
ceased as suddenly as they had risen
and the sun burst forth from its hiding
place, showing the rescue which was
bearing down upon them.
MAY I see you. If but for five min
utes?" were the words scrawled on
the card Fay held, few hours later
| In her bandaged hands, as she lay upon
her couch, very pale and exhausted, but
with a heart full of gratitude for heI
wonderful escape, awaiting him who
had penned the words.
How well she knew the quick. impa
tient step which heralded his coming
Her cheeks flushed as he strobe Inn
petuously into the room.
II could not sleep before seeing you,
he said. "My brave girl! How little
1 knew you! l thought because YOU
were beautiful, that there could be M
courage In your soul; that because you
hands were small, and soft, and white
they could have no strength. Dear lit
tie handsw taking them tenderly In bill