Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-06-29


implements with which she reaped
her wriggly harvest. mounted speci-
mems for her. though the soul within
him revolted, and i'm a thousand WAYS
made himself indispensable. "He is
really quite useful Ethelinea az
knowledged 10 herself. II don't know
what l should do without him"
But there came n time which,
though Etheinda was unconscious OF |
10, was the crisis. the turning point |
OF all her days. The river that ran |
by the town had the habit OF over |
flowing it's banks in the spring fresh |
cts. leaving behind in getting back |
into its channel long stretches OF tho |
lOveliest Of fats teeming with insect |
life. very paradise for those devoted |
TO that kind of game.
Ethelinda was in raptures over the
prospect. and no sooner had the sun
established a safe footing over the
treacherous waste than she was daily
to be seen in tie little boat. pro-
PEELED by the professor. hurrying to
the desired fields.
This went on for n week. ana every
thing was lovely. But one day in mid
stream the little boat sprung a leak
Ethelnda would not believe ia until
the water was half way 20 her shoe
tops. So faithful. so stsnch craft
70 go back on her so, But there was
nothing for her but TO make land as
quickly as possible. and from that
point the shore seemed perilously far
away. EthelinGR would have fallen
/ fat IN three feet OF water, but the
professor could. IL need were. swim
7 like a duck and now there was ur-
gent call for al his science.
BY stuffinR his soft hat into the
rent at the bottom Of the boat Eth
/ elinda prOfered hers) the river was
held I'm abeyance. but this was clear
/ " only a makeshift. ANY moment
their frsii vehicle might fail them.
and then what2 Why, the swift cur
/ rent OF the remorseless stream. which
would snatch them away from life
and light forever. and bury them
fathoms deep In sand and unsightly
debris.
Ethelinda thought OF this for one
dreadful. agonizing moment, then she
became aware OF the professor speak
ing. and she made a desperate effort
20 listen 10 what he was saying.
He was telling her in calm. even
tones that there was no immediate
danger, that even II the worst came
10 the worst he could swim with her
20 shore. provided she remained calm.
and did exactly as he told her 90 DO.
White and rigid. she promised, though
in her heart she saw very little hope.
The professor was. on the contrary.
almost gay. He piled the oars vigor-
ously. humming a lively tune. though
the water in the boat continued 20
increase alarmingly. To Ethelinda IL
seemed an eternity before the mid
die current had been cleared and shall
lower space reached.
Then. without a moments warning
the boat filed. and they were mp q
their waists in the river. Ethelinda
forgetting her resolution. screamed
and chung 20 the professor. but tina
, gentleman having had the presence
, OF mind 10 seize an oar az he wen
overheard. steadied himself by il
begging MSs Grayson 20 trust 90 him
for he would save her IL he himsel
persisted in the attempt
Fortunately at that point the rive
bottom was firm: some good geniu
had surely directed their course. ans
. after the first shock Miss Grayson re
covered her courage somewhat. Their
was danger. 20 be sure. but the serer
NV wish which the professor faced
= shamed her fears. and she let him pu
his left arm around her waist 20 SUI
port her. while with his right he as
/" sisted their struggling steps towar
the shore by merest chance JAG
Melvin had taken a spin on the waite
Z that morning. and while the professo
and Ethelinda were rescuing then
u selves from shipwreck was watchin
= them from a clump Of bushes on th
y banks. four-oared boat was moore
near by. though what he might war
a. with four oars. going UP stream, to-
y WAS not clear.
y Hello, professor" ne shouted. "wh'
'e are YOU and Miss GraysOn doing Oh
A. there2 You'll get wet IL you don
= mind"
al sIs that YOU, Jack?' shouted n
- professor in turn. Fetch out yol
y boat IL YOU have one and help u.s. OF
Of this beastly fix Upon my homo
e we've had close call"
Ten minutes later the four-oar'
-. boat had Jhatihfo It's presence al
a EtheIinda. seated in the stern. W
=. wringing the water from her drench
- skirts and warmly thanking Jack NJ
vim for his timely assistance.
Don't mention 81" said Jack. 81
% professor had already rescued "
when ] appeared on the scene"
=, yes" replied Miss Grayson. bIus
- ing crimson. Il owe my life TO the pa
" lessor, and shall always be gratei
:" TO him for the favor"