The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-03-16
golden water" he went On. 1T seems
as IL il might bear one up, does II not?"
Barara had a fancy. and INDUCED

is light" she smiled. But, mind you,
il must have no care ut all. Ii must be
as light as ether"
Would IL bear you up?" he asked.
She shook her head mournfully, and
he said in "A voice that moved her: And
should sink like stone" IL seemed
impossible for them 10 >rt while that
witch light CLEANED upon their en-
chanted wood. and when the shadows
grew gray they became part of them
like shadows they faded from each
others sight.
That night when Barbara went about
her duties and afterward when she lay
in her bed she found herself happy with
the elate and Triumphant happiness Of
which she had dreamed. George Cax-
ton, her promised lover, seemed part
of the work-a-day world. Her thought
turned away from him in spite OF her
efforts to be loyal.
She felt sure she would meet the
stranger again in the woods, and she
did, many times. He was a writer by
vocation. lie even confessed 10 being
a poet. He was not well, he said. The
city had worn on him. So he came
home for long rest there among the
pines. His name was Cecil Under
wood.
Barbara found it impossible to re-
sist the charm of his personality. he
seemed to make the whole world over
for her. In vain she struggled to re-
member the truth and patience and
strength of her betrothed. lie was too
well known 10 her TO be seen through
glamour. With austere serenity he
insisted upon an early marriage day.
He refused, apparently, to feel any
jealousy at the constant companion
ship of his sweetheart and Cecil Tn
derwocd. 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 as if in stress of pain,
Cecil Underwood came to her in an inn
peratiye mood.
you must come walking with me, y
he said. The day expresses me. ]
have to speak of the torment of my
heart and / will keep still no longer
even al your bidding"
Barbara went out with him. They
walked under the pines whose roar
filed the world with their lamentings.
They were silent, conscious of the
storm within their souls, says the Chi
ca go Tribune.
LET us take boat" said Barbara,
when they reached the river.
"No. no." he protested, but she
seemed not to hear him and united her
skiff and leaped into il.
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 Ceci
cried out:
1.-The rapids. Barbara. The rapids
See where you have taken u.s. She
glanced behind her. 1t was true thai
the tossing white name of the watel
horses was not more than half mile
away and the boat vas quivering II
the pull of their great power. Barbara
smiled a little--it would not matter
TO her so much. she reflected. il hel
great problem was to be solved thai
way. But still, il was cowardly to die
She set her fine young strength TO {
resistance. rowing up stream and In
clining the boat toward the southern
shore. So absorbed was she in the tasl
that she did not notice the man will
her until she heard him crying will
wild opportunities TO his Maker:
Row, Barbara. row. Row girl
Then, looking at him. she saw his fac
was corpse-white and quivering will
fear. and the next moment he sank
an inert heap. at the bottom of tn
boat
Get up" she commanded. "and TAX
the tiller! Get up instantly" IL
obeyed dimly. shaking and sick wit
terror.
Barbara bent 10 her heavy task an
made, by means of brave efforts. III
tie Roadway. But the wild horse
plunged on and dragged her at thei
heels. She was almost on the verge o
yielding to their relentless strengt
when a boat shot out from the banl
1t came toward the Guaking skiff wit
magnificent momentum. Barbara rec
ognized the occupant al once. IL wa
George Caxton. a hideous humiliatio
filed her soul She was almost temple
to yield 10 that Juggling OF the vii
horses. She looked ut the half-faini
ing, praying creature beside her an
then at the approaching man. And
moment Of Gethsenane came 10 he
Then. white and courageous. she r.
n. wed her efforts. a moment later
line was thrown to her. She made
secure. Then she in her boat an
George Caxton in his began strugg
against the powers Of the river.
which they soon conquered.
George helped the trembling Gee
to shore. but Barbara leaped light
TO land and stood there smilin