Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-07-31


at is too late now" said he, in answer
TO this earnestly uttered command; and
as he spoke, the keel " the boat grated
harshly agains, the point Of a eunkcn
rock
\ gus tot wind. stronger and hcrccr
| than any which had preceded il. lifted
! the boat from the waves and hurled it
! against the rock, as Silns wa making an
| effort 10 sweep round il, base al a safe
/ distance Ms if il had been no heavier than
the foam bubble, that were dancing
around them
Wild piercing shrek mingled with
the hollow voice 0r the wind. and then a
face, white rs the foam which the next
moment was drifting over it, was seen
amid the honting fragments OF the boat
SilaS. 10y the aid Of one Of the oars. sue
cccdcd in obtaining prccarious footing
on the partially submerged rocks round
which the tide dashed into fury. was
foamng and raging. \ corner Of the
mantle worn by Mildred was all that now
could hC seen above the cddying waves
This. with much difficulty, he succeeded
in reaching and commenced cautiously
drawing il towards him. TO his great
joy hc found that il still remained wrap
ped around her \ single handbrcadth
nearer and those golden trcsscs would he
within his reach. His hand was ready to
grasp them. when the fastcnings Of the
mantle gave way, causing so sudden re-
coil as to precipitate him into the boil
ing waves The cold white hand of the
drowning woman which touched his face
as he sank beneath the water, caused q
SILVER to run through his frame. as if it
had been the hand OF death. The next
moment the icy fingers had clutched a
portion of his garments, dragging him
down and impeding his movements. He
made an effort to throw off his saturated
doublet
mo, nc" said he, shuddcring. ~ can't
do that. If I could only get free OF this
eddy which is whirfng lis round, | think
/ could save myself and her, too
Bear mp a little longer; ] am coming
to your assistance" said voice from the
shore.
The words were instantly succeeded by
a plunge and looking in the direction
whence the sounds proceeded, he saw
Clarence Harleigh. 1t was astonishing
what new life and vigor VERDE dhffuscd
through his frame by the prospect Of as
had reached them.
Give her into my care now said he
You will never reach the shore, with
out | assist YOU" said Slas.
YES, ! can. The distance is short.
Take care of yourself"
With HarleiGh's assistance, the locked
hand was Enclosed. and the next minute,
though burdcned with his helpless charge,
he was vigorously brcaSting the waves.
Silas. who could now divcSt himself of
his heavy, saturated jacket. overlook
them by the time they were beyond deem
water,
"Shc must he carried to my house"
said Silas when they reached dry land
The house Of Silas Watkins could he
seen through the trees. aud was only at
IA Shor distance, Mrs. Watkins. accom-
panied by Alice Dale. who had sought
shelter there. from the violence Of the
wind, came out to meet them
You were too late. and she is dead"
said Alice, a she saw the upturncG face
Of Mildred.
Both Silas and his wife had had some
experience in such cases. and knew how
81 proceed according to the most approv.
"d methods at that time known For
some time there was no sign of life.
They. however. did not grow rrmiss in
their cXertions, which were finally 70.
F, warded with the promise OF success. Two
hours aftcrward, when Harleigh and
Alice took leave, though weak. Mildred
was in good. even high spirits. and assm.
ed them that they might expect to see her
soon AT Mr.. Walworth's.
The next day a young man 10y III, name
OF Gilbert Falkland. who for some time
had been member of Mr.. Walworth's
| family received the suhjoined note r,om
Mildred Dacres:
Early this morning ! sent word TO
Alice Dale that she might expect To see
me half an hour after sunset Previous
| " t. meeting her / wish to see YOU and
have some conversation with you. Nv
Sunset, or little before, YOU will find mo
at the place where several times we nave
already met"
Mildred was punctual to the hour she
had named. 1t lacked several minutes
Of sunset when she reached Il SPOT. car
pcted with smooth, green turf. aud wall
ed iii oil every side by majestic oaks.
from whose boughs the wild grapevine
hung in broad festoons. Thus the house.
Though distant little more than a stones
throw, was completely screened from
view.
Not here YETI said she. seating her
self on block Of granite
The words had only time 10 leave hcr
| lips wien the branches OF an oak were
thrust aside and IA young man in hunt
in: dress entered the enclosure.
You allowed me to arrive here before
you, Gilbert Falkland" snid she. with .
slight accent OF dispcn.ure perccptible
in her voice.
For which | would humhly su. for
pardon he replied, III had not already
twice sought You here in vain / had
ceased TO expect you. when caught a
glimpse of you, just "a you entered the
glade
II hope Clarence Harleign didn't see
| me. too"
NO fear OF that, lie was too deeply
engaged in chatting with the fair Alice TO
have eyes or ears for any one else"
Gilbert Falkland, haven't you the will
and the means OF putting an end to this 80
81 certainly have the will"