Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-02-12
NIIAPTIlR Ill

What the Workmen who were looking
on and the father saw they were never
able to describe to their own satisfac-
ton, or IN a manner that could be easily
comprehcudcd by others
The person who suddenly sprang to the
ty-Wheel reached out his left hand rs the
wheel brought the girl around to the end
of the pit opposite that from which she
had been lifted. His hand caught one of
her outstrctched arms us she faced him.
lie seemed TO be holding on to her-seem-
ed to he dragged down into the pit with
her rs they disappeared from view.
Piles of iron concealed them for the
time being from the workmcn running to
the wheel The engine had stopped, but
the wheel was still revolving with the
momentum acquired in its revolutions.
When Atherton and his felow-work-
men approached the wheel, they found a
man lying on the ground, lifting the girl
by sheer main strength out of the pit.
An open penknife Lay beside him, and
half of the girls shawl was under him.
just as the workmen reached him. he
laid the limp form Of the girl on the
ground.
She was in a dead faint. Her upturn-
ed face was as white us it would ever he
in her coffin. The young man-it was the
son OF one of the mill owncrs-sprang to
his feet, and, seeing her ra~icr, said
quickly:
She is not hurt-if some of you would
bring some water. She has tainted"
Half dozen ran for their dinner pals,
and soon there was abundance of water.
While Anterior with wet eyes was clap
ping her hands and calling upon her to
open her eyes, others gathered about the
young man, asking all manner of uucs-
tiong.
Il eau scarcely tell you how did it.
] saw there was not an instant of time to
lose. either had my knife open in my
hand, or opened it as | jumped to the
wheel. Then | caught her with my left
hand. and-I knew it was life or death
slashcd with my knife at the shawl, and
held on to her, with steady pull. Then
! found | was bound to fall into the pit
with her, and just fell flat GA my breast,
and, sure enough, | had cut her free.
mad strength enough to lift her out
1 don't believe | could do it again, boys.
lie sTid it with conscious pride and Il
depth of feeling that won the admiration
of all within hearing. Arthur Mayherry
was anything but ''milksop' in the eyes
Of the workmen in Star Mill. His many
good qualities were appreciated by them
but the quick eye, the presence of mind
pluck and decision displayed on this occa
sion elevated him in their eyes to plac,
few could claim.
Meantime the ironwOrkcr'S daughter
resained consciousness. AS she opened
her eyes she Shuddercd, aud would doubt
less have swooned again had not her Faith
er exclaimed, as he bent over her:
Irene! lrene!'
Slowly she opened her eyes, struggle,
into sitting posture, and sazed abou
her wOnderingly.
lit is real--l thought it was death"
Here, Irene. This is the gentleman
who saved your life"
The young man her father held by tn
hand looked as though he would prcfe
to be alone. lie bowed, however, an
smiled as he said;
"A miss is rs good as a mile"
Yes; but she'll never be nearer etel
nifty than she was when you caught her,
said the puddlcr, graycIy.
The knot of wurkmpn near him noodle
their heads in assent The young giI
rose, aud glanced sl,yly at her delivorer a
sAe pinned w her hair.
lie was L very handsome fellow, poss
bly, Twenty-Five or four, VIII very brigl
Blue eyes, dark hair aud mustache, an
graceful figure. lie was trim lookin.
and yet, as she made a mental note, Iren
AtEcrtou realized that he was the fartl
est remove from Top.
On his pact, Arthur Mayberry though
he had>nercr Lehcld a more perfect ia,
than lreae Allerton's. She had the clea
cut features that distinguish the han
soonest American women from their 81
.ers in all other lands. Her eyes Rlol
would have been a dcwer Of beauty. SG'