The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-31

his sweetheart and Cecil Underwoodl
And Barbara was angry at him for
this. too.
HE has no sensibility," she said to
herself.
One wild day when the wind cried
through the tree tops and the waters
dashed along rs II in stress Of pain,
Cecil Underwood came to- her in an
imperative mood.
You must come walking with me-"
he said. "The day expresses me. I
have to speak of the torment Of my
heart and l will keep still no longer
even at your bidding"
Barbara went out with him. They
walked under the pines whose roar fill
ed 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.
"No, no." he protested, but she SEEM
ed not to hear him, and united her
skih and Ieaped into it.
. SOluC, BIG Sdlus i AOoAtoLCuS OAs
followed. As the little boat felt the
lift of the wave the pain in her heart
seemed to tighten, and she let the
current carry her along unconscious OF
the passage OF time. Suddenly Cecil
cried out:
1.-THE rapids, Barbara! The rapids!
See where you have taken us!" She
glanced behind her. It was true that
the tossing white name of the water
horse was not more than half a mile
away and the boat was quivering in
the pull of their great power. Barbara
smiled a little-it would not matter
to her so much, she reflected, If her
great problem were to be solved that
way. But still. it a cowardly to-
die. She set her fine young strength to
a resistance, 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 opportunities to his Maker:
ROW, Barbara, row! Row, girl!"
Then, looking at him, she saw his face
wa 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, ''and. 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, q
little Roadway. But the wild river
horses plunged on and dragged her at
their heels. She was almost on the:
verge Of yielding to their relentless
strength when a boat shot out from the
bank. It came toward her quaking'
skif with magnificent momentum.
Barbara recognized the occupant at
once. It was George Caxton. A hideous
humiliation filed her soul. She vas
almost tempted to yield to that tugging'
Of the wild horses. She looked at the
half-fainting, praying creature beside
her, and then at the approaching man.
And a moment of Gethsemane came to
her. Then, white and courageous, she
renewed her efforts. A moment later
a line was thrown to her. She made II
secure. Then she in her boat and
George Caxton in his began q struggle
against the powers of the river, in
which they soon conquered.
George helped the trembling Czech
to shore, but Barbara leaped lightly to
land and stood there smiling strangely.
Il am thankful with a great thank
fulness that I owe my life to you.
George" she said. 1T is a privilege"
She held out her hand to the other
man.
"Good-by," she whispered.
'Pity me! Pity mel" he cried:
81 do" she responded. "Good-by."
He went slowly under the pines.
walking feebly like a man who, is old
and i'll. George looked after him with
commiserating eyes, but Barbara was
relentless.
"Give me your arm" she said, with
tender graciousness, I'VE will walk
home together. George."-Chicago Trl.
bune.