The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-31


you AT the landing"
BESSIE. Girl ia white sailor hat:
saw her 60 ON the first boat with
. dark-haired man" Others con.
trming this statement. the Birdlipgs
were satisfied and embarked without
delay But another white sailor har
had been seen and the girl who wore
IL was Jessie. Our Bessie was care
July putting some shells in a wrist
bag she carried when Mr.. Breyard.
whose attention had at last beer
drawn from her to the cloud, began
10 realize their danger.
The wind has changed, and these
breakers are much larger than when
we left the fort. but with haste, we
may reach the lighthouse before Q
| storm"
| The distance was greater than he
imagined. and they faced wind that
soon blew a perfect gale. Wien the
breaking waves forced a channe.
through the beach and thus separated
them from their starting point she
sank weary and disheartened to the
ground.
Miss Birding. shall never forgive
myself for this"
1T was l who insisted on gather.
ing more shells"
would you be afraid. il left you
alone TO search . crossing? First let
me make you more comfortable"
He scooped out nest in the wet
sand and surrounded il with brush
gathered near, but. although thus pro-
tected, the IS minutes Bessie spent
there alone seemed to her almost an
eternity. Gazing over the dreary sand
dunes. she thought of the bones Of
soldiers left TO bleach among them
and almost expected 10 see a skeleton
arm OF grinning skull uncovered
by the gale. Overhead. the black
mass had broken into tatfered frag-
menfs Of cloud like huge yultures
futtering abose. Then the winds
mournful monotone would sometimes
rise into a Shrek.
The creeping tide crept up along the
sand
And Ger and DER the sand.
Ana round and round the sand
And never home came she"
Why did Kingsley's lines come to
her like foreboding strain? Would
the fate of his heroine be hers? Why
did Mr.. Brevard remain so long?
Mr.. Brevard, by devious ways had
reached point much nearer the
lighthouse, and drawing a handker-
chief from his pocket to wave from a
pole, also drew out box Of matches.
This suggested bonfire. With tn.
dry driftwood around he kindled
blaze which managed to maintain
itself in spite of wind and rain. Then
taking a torch from the pile he waved
it aloft. and was rejoiced TO see an
answering signal.
Other excursionisfs had rema ined
on the island. for the water became
too rough for the last rowboat TO
venture out 10 the feet. These were
enjoying the hospitality Of the light
house keepers wife: some examining
marine curiosities. and some admiring
in safety. the sublimity Of the storm,
when one of them exclaimed:
That must be signal Of Distress"
The keepers long spyglass soon
discovered Mr.. Ercvard. with Bessie
in the distance: then every man vol
unteered for rescue. The cut off was
narrow. but dangerous. and the bridge
they succeeded in making. rather IN
steady. though Bessie crossed IL
without accident. Under Mr. Bre.
wards greater weight and firmer step
some logs gave way and bore him into
the swift current below. Strong arms
then laid hold Of the rope which H.
had secured about his waist and lie
was soon standing on the beach with
20 injury but few bruises and
very briny soaking.
II saved n few nf those dearly
bought Shells said Bessie. a. they
were enjoying the nice hot supper
prepared for them.
'You may add my book as . sou
venir.''
She displayed the little bag which
hung on her arm through all the ad
venture. and he handed her his copy
of Legends and Lyrics" much the
worse for contact with salt water.
Mrs. Breyard still preserves that
wristbag and bluebound book in re-
membrance of the most eventual day
in a remarkably placid life-N. o