The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-03-13

ewamped BY torreRts 81 water. b.
Soee Hugh could reach out 10 seisG
the boat, ~ he rose from his sud-
den plunge In the raging current
the skin was already far out Of reach.
Whether its owner was clinging "a
it or not Hugh could not make out.
Far away the lights Of the great
tramp ship shone in the mist. and
cleaned In the blackness Of night.
A man may be . good swimmer.
and yet hampered by . thick overcoat
well buttoned up and thick walking
shoes, when swept along in the fierce
current Of the Mississippi. his fate Il
practically scaled.
Swimming desperately, Hugh had
. distinct mental vision Of beautiful
woman waiting for him by . brightly
burning fire. He saw in the storm
and darkness the CLINT Of the light
on her hair and jewels and the hand
some surroundings he knew 50 well.
He saw her proud. sweet smile Of
greeting and Z light in her eyes, for
which he worshipped her.
Hugh groaned and fought on,
knowing well the battle was all but
lost.
A dark object came rushing by,
ond with desperate effort he seized
and chung to il. 1t was an uprooted
tree being whirlcd down to the gulf
by the current.
Delphine was restless and anxious.
The soughing o. the wind and water
in the willows, the beat Of the rain
and storm on the roof of their soli-
tary little house, the monotonous
beat of the boat on the steps as il
rocked on the wind-tossed undula-
tions Of the currents made by the
batture seems strangely lonely this
black December night.
Old Marie sat by the fire and
crooned her cantiques, and neither
thought Of going to bed. There
was faint but reiterated call, and
running to the door Delphine opened
1t and looked out, listening intently.
"Some one is in distress, Marie, out
there. Look" The cry was re-
peated. Snatching up her water
proof. Delphine slipped out. and in
spite OF old Marie's wailing remon.
STRANGE united the boat, stepped
lightly into it, and picking up an oar.
began to scull out in the current
with the skill and strength Of a Nor
man fisherwoman's daughter, telling
Marie she would not go far.
1t was not long when returning she
sprang out, fastened the boat and led
a tall. thoroughly drenched and ex.
haustei young man into the bright
little room where Marie crouched by |
tho fire wailing and lamenting.
"Allons, Marie. You see was
right. / saved him." she said. bright |
y, forcing Hugh to sit down and
drink from Jean-Pierre's silver flask.
Slowly Hugh revived from the
deadly exhaustion his long buffetinc
by the waves and winds had oc. |
rasioned. 1t was very late. When
sufficiently recovered. he stood hold
ing Del's hands before leaving.
"You are an angel. The bravest
woman in the world. You saved nv
life, and ! have no words to thank |
OH. was all but spent when your
boat came up" Hugh said, wondering
IT the fine beauty of this girl. who
ived in SO strange fashion on the
,atture. The door closed and he
vas gone. But to Delphine that tall.
handsome stranger continued to be o
presence.
No, Del never forgot him.
Old Marie grumbled.
"Oui. oui. Save a man from drown
ng. and he will do you harm Wicked
arm. Everybody in Normandie
,nows that"
The handsome gift Hugh sent the
Iext day was returned. But De,
ept the note which expressed un-
ying gratitude.
Two days later Hugh and his
ancec, in the handsome drawing
Dom discussed the wonderful in
rate Of the house on the batture.
1t was splendid, courageous
hing to do; the storm was terrific"
ugh said.
good-looking?" quericd
orothy, slowly.
Beautiful" Hugh answered. and .
orothy would have moved her fair I
cad from its resting-place, only !
ugh pressed il back with . laughing d
'nderness. .
They always do you . deadly O
lrm-those you save from drown {
g." Old Marie reiterated.-New Or.