The Washington times., 1902-12-19

The inlet was fully two cables length
i'm breadth az the sea. but IL rapidly
narrowed and was less than a quarter
or mile iu length. The cliff skirted it
quite closely. They saw that much of the
debris from the wreck was being carried
toward the head of the inlet by the
current which set in from the sea.
Their progress was slow. but at
length they drew near the end OF the
now narrow strait. The current srlI
looked strong, and instead Of there be-
ing a footway around the head OF the
inlet, the water Tapped against the foot
Of the clin itself In the center was
low opening, and in this mysterious
tunnel the water disappeared.
We've got to wade across. after
all said Thorne, in vexation. But it's
not very wide. That's one sausfac-
tion."
Nor very deep2"
1t doesn't look so from here. But
III 20 across first and try it,"
Indeed, youU not. declared sydney.
Il am going with you. Mr Thorue."
So he said no more. but prepared to
breast the food. The water looked
black and cold; but It was not deep
near shore. so they waded boldly in.
sydney hardly came mp TO his shoulder
and ne was waist deep before Thorne
began 70 feel the force Of the curren
against his limbs.
TIT is deep" she said. with a
gasp.
Never mind. Stick close 10 me" he
returned, reassuringIy "I can keep my
footing in a good deal deeper water than
this"
He drew her closer TO him and en-
circled her waist with his arm. Thus.
bearing her above the fool. he pressed
on The rocks were slippery beneath
his feet. the treacherous unlertow tug
ged at his limbs but ne moved on.
They had almost reached the center
Of the stream when a little cry from
Sydney startled him. He turned his
gaze upon the bank before them. A
man stood there. staring at them with
blazing eyes. and with pale passion
cOnvulsed face.
1T is Mr. Monckton-he IS alive" cN-
claimed Sydney.
But her cry. which had drawn Thorne's
gaze momentarlly from the current was
fatcful The next step was unsteady.
The rock slipped. and in a breath they
were noundering in the water. Thorne
struggled desperately to regain his foot
hold and quickly got his head above the
surface again. Sydney was choking with
the salt water. but otherwise uuinjured.
To his horror, however, he could not
recover his balance on the slippery
rocks. Somehow be had stepped beyond
his depth. and the current was dragging
him and his precious burden toward
the yawuing mouth of the tunnel
He turned his agonizcd face implor-
ingly 10 the shore
"Help, Quick. II you would save JUS"
he gasped
Monckton heard him. A sort Of shud-
der went through his frame. but he
did not move.
For Gods sake," shrieked Thorne.
feeling his strength deserting him and
che current tightening fits hold. IF
you are a man save her."
Then Monckton moved. He stagger-
ed down TO the margin Of the current .
But Thorne and his burden had already
swept by the spot
Never mind mc-save her," was his .
cry.
Monckton ran along the rocky edge F.
OF the torrent. Sydney stretched out .
her arms 10 him, and then. caught by 1
some htful eddy she was suatched away .
from the shore. They both whirIeI .
around in the center Of the current .
for an instant and then shot downward .
into the tunnel TE5rne caught al the .
ragged rocks past which they we're
swept. His hand was torn, his arm
wrenched.
Then The current bore them in to-
ward the side Of the tunnel He seized
a point Of rock and threw his body
BALI out upon IT, But the water. as