Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-27

II think | could have crossed" he
said alphabetically, "for Louis was get
ting on his feet again"
mo, you wouldn't" she protested.
"You would have been down into the
canyon by NOW, and you ought to be
thankful"
$50 am" he FASTENED to say, very.
But he added, unwilling to give up
his contention, II have crossed the
Swan before
Not when it was in flood.'
Eyes; when it was in flood, higher
than now"
Not where the banks are rocky"
Moo he hesitated.
There, then; you wou}a have been
| drowned but for my lariat" she cried
triumphantly.
To this he doubtfully assented.
/ They were much alike. in high tenn
per, in enthusiasm, vivid Imagination
and in sensitive feeling. When the
Old Timer came in Gwen triumphantly
introduced the Pilot as having been
rescued from watery grave by her
lariat, and again they fought out the
possibilities of drowning and of escape
till Gwen almost lost her temper and
was appeased only by the most pro-
| fuse expressions Of gratitude on the
part of the Pilot for her timely assist
ance. The Old Timer was perplexed.
He was afraid to offend Gwen and
yet unwilling to be cordial to her guest.
The Pilot was quick to feel this. and,
soon after tea. rose to so. Ovens
disappointment showed in her face.
ASK him to stay, dad she said in
whisper. But the half hearted invita-
ton acted like spur and the Pilot was
determined to set off.
There's q bad storm coming" she
said, land, besides" she added tri-
umphantly, you can't cross the Swan
This settled it, and the most earnest
prayers Of the Old Timer could not
| have held him back.
| We all went down to see him cross,
| Gwen leading her pinto. The Swan
was far over its banks and in the mid
die running swift aud strong. Louis
snorted, refused and finally plunged
Bravely he swan till the swift run
ming water struck him, and over he
went on his side, throwing his rider
into the water. But the Pilot kept his
head and, holding by the stirrups,
padded along by Louis side. When
they were half way across Louis saw
that he had no chance of making the
landing, so, like sensible horse. he
turned and made for the shore. Here,
too, the banks were high, and the pony
began to grow discouraged.
Let him float down farther!' shrek
ed Gwen in anxious excitement, and,
urging her pinto down the bank, she
coaxed the struggling pony down the
stream till opposite shelf Of rock
level with the high water. Then she
threw her lariat, and, catching Louis
about the neck and the horn of his
saddle, she held taut, till, half drown
ed, he scrambled up the bank, drag
ging the Pilot with him.
"Oh, am so gladv' she said. almost
tearfully. "You see, you couldn't get
across"
The Pilot staggered to his feet, took
step toward her and gasped out:
81 CAM and pitched headlong.
With little cry she flew to him and
turned him over on his back. In a
few moments he revived, sat up and
looked about stupidity.
.Where's Louisy' he said, with his
face toward the swollen stream.
.Safe enough" she answered. But
YOU must come in; the rain Is just go
ing to pour"
But the Pilot seemed possessed.
"No; I'm going to cross" he said,
rising.
Gwen was greatly distressed.
But your poor horse" she said,
cleverly changing her ground. 'He is
quite tired out"
The Old Timer now joined earnestly
in urging linn to stay till the storm
was past So, with final look at the
stream, the Pilot turned toward the
house.
OF course I knew what would hap
pen. Before the evening was over he
bad captured the household. The mo-
ment he appeared with dry things on
he ran to the organ. that had stood for
ten years closed and silent, opened 1t
and began to play. AS he played and
sang song after song the Old Timers
eyes began to glisten under his shaggy
brows. But when he dropped into the
exquisite Irish melody, loft In the
Silly Night the old man drew hard
breath and groaned out to me:
at was her mothers song" and from
that time the Pilot had him fast 1t
was easy to pass to the old hymn,
Nearer, My God. to Thee and then
the Pilot said simply, May we have
prayers?' He looked at Gwen, but she
gazed blankfy at him and then at her
father.
what does he say. dad?'
1t was pitiful to see the old mans
face grow slowly red under the deep
tan as he said:
"You may, sir. There's been none
here for many years, and the worse for
u.s." He rose slowly, went into the in
ner room and returned with Bible.
"It's her mothers" he said in a voice
deep with emotion 81 put 1t in her
trunk the day laid her out yonder I'M
der the pines" The Pilot, without look
ing at him. rose and fevereutly took the
book in both his hands and said gentlyt
cit was sad day for you. but for
her. He paused. you did not