The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-26
WHEN THE TIDE TURNED
By MARIE AVARY

faded The full blown rose was certainly
more satisfying than the thorny bud.
Mrs. Neville met his glance by well
executed droop of her lashes. Tell me
all about it, she commanded playfully.
Betty wanted me to take her to Haz-
ard rocks" Davis explained And 1
would not take her because it is so dam
gerous trip
Mrs. Neville was all interest. The Haz-
ard rocks! She had heard about them.
Did people ever go there? And was 1t all
very romantic and exciting? A look OF
daring flashed across her face. She bent
forward and gazed straight into his eyes.
will you take me there?' she asked soft
ly.
Perhaps it was the glamour of her dark
eyes, the intoxication of her warm breath
on his cheek. The man grew white. His
voice was low and tense as he answered.
Yes; will take YOU" -
Betty did not appear at lunch. Again
Davis felt the strange pang Of Copunction
as he missed her laughing chatter. He
did not know that Mrs. Neville had met
her in the hall and explained that, though
the Hazard rocks were much too danger
Gus place for children, it was quite
permissible for grownups, and Archie had
promised to take her.
The girl had drawn herself up to all the
slim height of her eighteen years and
turned away without word.
Nor did she guess that when the two
strolled away an hour later a pair Of blue
eyes watched them from behind the half
shut blinds, while slow tears rolled down
the pale cheeks.
The rest of the guests shortly departed
for an afternoons sail. So presently Bet
ty crept down, a forlorn little figure.
AS the afternoon waned bringing no signs
Of the two, a vague fear began to take
possession of her. The tide had begun to
turn. Could it be that they had failed to
notice it? She recalled Arches words
with thrill Of fear, IF the tide should
catch us, there would be no hope"
Archie Davis was not enjoying his aft
| ernoon. The two had scrambled along
| the foot of the cliffs until they reached
| the half submerged pile Of rocks bearing
the name of Hazard. The man was gaz-
ing at the sea. He could not forget the
CLINT of tears in Bettys eyes.
He turned suddenly to his companion
with the reckless resolve to- make the
best of the matter. Something in the
languorous depths Of the dark eyes
seemed to fire his blood. With a swift
movement he caught her to him.
But as his lips met hers a wave Of re-
! pulsion, sudden as unexpla1nable, made
| him start back. AS he did so he heard the
splash of water. A tiny wave was break
ing at his very feet. The tide had risen.
With a cry of horror he sprang to
higher point of, rock and looked des-
perately toward the path over which
they had come. The waves were licking
hungrily at the base of the cliff. Above
the rock lowered dark and trackless.
They were caught in a deathtrap.
But he would not give up hope. Soma
fisher boat might be near. Again and
again he sent his voice ringing out over
the tossing waters.
AS the last echoes died away he seemed
70 foir loll
his cry for help rang out; again came the
nearing answer. A boat shot out from
behind the point. A single figure strug-
gled with the oars. It was girl-Betty.
It seemed an eternity before she ground
the keel on the sand and he had lifted
in the almost unconscious figure of his
companion.
Then the two set to work at the oars.
Many time they had rowed for prize,
but this was a struggle with death. The
tide was rising higher and storm clouds
were gathering. If they could win past
the point to the quiet waters Of the
: bay, all would be we'll. If not Mrh,
Neville huddled in a heap in the stern
watched their desperate efforts with fear
dilated eyes.
One great pull another, and they shot
into the bay. They were saved!
! AS Betty ceased to feel the fierce cur
S rent tugging at her oars she fell forward
l nervelessly.
s She awoke to the dash of water on her
: temples. The boat was drifting near the
landing and Archie was pillowing her
head on his arm. II dared not stop row.
ing before, dear" he was saying humbly,
AS he read the heaven Of love in her
violet eyes he drew her close and whis-
pered, "You saved my life, my brave little
: girl, and did not deserve it, for have
} behaved like a brute.'' She put up one
: little hand, blistered and bleeding from,
her cruel exertions, and tried to stop his
t words. Its all right now," she said.
weakly. There was smile of perfect con-
tent on her face.
They had both forgotten Mrs Neville.
but she still huddled in the stern and
: looked longingly at the shore, too white
l and shaken to think of love or lovers.