The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-01

not tempt MS IOllOWerS 10 what seemed
certain death. Perhaps they doubted nj
Feodor Baranok owned such sum OF
money!
At all events they made no movement
to enter the water but crowded along
the shore with shouts and cries.
why does he not swim after her him
SELF" grumbled one man. Does ne
think the river would spare us and not
him.
Baranok sim continued to wiring his
hands and call vainly on someone to
rescue the girl.
Among those who stood nearest him
was Donald He had made his way down
to the beach without hindrance or mo-
lestation from any. The convicts were
too deeply engrossed with the fate of
the girl TO notice him.
He had forgotten the intense peril
that threatened him a moment before.
His heart was filled with a dull agony
and ne could not shut out from his eyes
the sight OF that slender figure plunginz
down with the river He knew that she
was beyond all help-thatsthe mad tor
rent was whirIing her farther away
every second.
All at once the eager cry broke from
Leontef, who was kneeling on the ledge
just where the path turned holding his
lighted torch downward
See, There she is, Her dress has
caught on a rock She will be washed
of in another second"
On hearing this Baranok became wild
with excitement. He waded out from
the beach until the water surged about
his knees. But he knew better than 20
so any farther.
There he stood. pointing one hand
down the stream and waving the other
toward those on shore.
Save her. save herr he entreated
There she is, just below that rock"
But the appeal fell on deaf ears. and
when Baranok reviled them bitterly and
called them towards. the men only
| shrugged their shoulders.
Several OF them. indeed. had darted
back into the cavern for a rope. but it
was ten to one that they would be too
late.
Suddenly man waded out from the
/ beach and stood beside Baranok. Il was
Donald. All recognized him. but not a
finger was raised to bring him back.
Instinctively they guessed his intention.
! Baranok showed no surprise when ,.e
/ discovered who was beside him
There she Isl" he cried huskiIy.
| pointing down among the tumbIing
waves. DO you see her? You are
good swimmer, are you not? You will
save her life? As for myself. I cannot
swim a stroke. or I should not be stand
ing here
/ So this was the cause Of Baranok .
inaction- Somehow Donald felt relieved
at the discovery. Cowardice was so in
compatible with the character and ap-
! pearance OF this famous man.
He followed with his eyes the direc-
ton or Baranok's hard. and his heart
thrObbed with pity when he saw the
girl clinging to a half submerged rock.
her white face upturned to the light Of
the torch that Leonter was holding on
the ledge above.
Her lips moved. but the roar of The
water drowned her feeble voice.
Donald hesitated for an instant when
he the awful swirl OF foam and
waves that lay before him, but his in
decision was short lived The heroic
resolve that had prompted him to wade
out from the beach now forced him for
ward.
He jerked off HIS coat and save it to
Baranok. Then he made step forward
and the water came almost 20 his waist
But before he could take the meditated
plunge. Baranok leaned forward and
seized his arm.
First tell me one thing" he whls-
pered almost hercely. Are you Serge
Masloff or not? Speak the truth without
fear. No harm shall come TO you"
Mo- whispered Donald Il am not
Serge MasloG"
Then he tore his arm loose and
plunged out on the crest of a big wave.
keeping his eyes fixed steadfastly on
that white. terror-stricken face below
him, and breathing silent PRAYER for
fhelp in his perilous undertaking.