The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-03-22

N'~N-%N
perative mood.
You must come walking with me"
he said. THE day expresses me. |
have to speak of the torment of my
heart, and will keep still no longer
even at your bidding"
Barbara went out with him. They
walked under the pines, whose roar
filled the world with their lamentings.
They were silent, conscious of the
storm within their souls.
Let us take a boat" said Barbara
when they had reached the river.
mo, no." he protested, but she seem
ed not to hear him and united her skiff
and leaped into it.
Come" she said. He hesitated but
followed AS the little boat felt the
lift of the waves the pain in her heart
seemed to tighten, and she let the cur
rent carry her along, unconscious of
the passage of time. Suddenly Cecil
cried out:
''The rapids, Barbara! The rapids!
See where you have taken usw She
glanced behind her. 1t was true that
the tossing white name of the water
horses was not more than half mile
away, and the boat was Quivering in
the pull of their great power. Barbara
smiled little. 1t would not matter to
her so much, she reflected, If her great
problem were to be solved that way.
But, still, 1t was cowardly to die. She
set her fine young strength to a resist
ance. rowing up stream and inclining
the boat toward the southern shore.
So absorbed was she in this task that
she did not notice the man with her till
she heard him crying, with wild I'M
portunities to his Maker:
ROW, Barbara, row! Row, girl"
Then, looking at him, she saw his face
was corpse white and quivering with
fear. and the next moment he sank. an
inert heap, at the bottom of the boat.
Get up" she commanded, land take
the tiller, Get up instantly" He
obeyed dimly. shaking and sick with
terror
Barbara bent to her heavy task and
made by means of brave efforts lit.
tie Roadway. But the wild horses
plunged on and dragged her at their
heels. She was almost on the verge of
yielding to their relentless strength
when boat shot out from the bank.
1t came toward her quaking skiff with
magnificent momentum. Barbara rec
ognized the occupant at once. 1t was
George Caxton. A hideous humiliation
filled her soul. She was almost tempt
ed to yield to that Juggling of the wild
horses. She looked at the half faint
ing. praying creature beside her and
then at the approaching man. And Il
moment of t~athsemane came to her.
Then, white and courageous, she re-
newed her efforts. A moment later
line was thrown to her. She made it
secure. Then she in her beat and
George Caxton in his began struggle
against the powers of the river. in
which they soon conquered.
George helped the trembling Cecil to
shore, but Barbara eaped lightly to
land and stood there smiling strangely.
Il am thankful with a great thank
fulness that | owe my life to you,
George" she said. at is a privilege"
She held out her hand to the other
man.
"Goodby," she whispered.
''Pity me! Pity me- he cried.
II do" she responded. "Goodby."
He went slowly under the pines,
walking feebly like a man who is old
and i'll. George looked after him with
commissioning eyes, but Barbara was
relentless.
Give me your arm" she said, with
tender graciousness, I'VE will walk
home together. George. "-Chicago Trib
une.