Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-08-01
"Where is Bessie? She was walk
in3 with Mr. Rreyard -

Where is Bessie? She was walk,
ing with Mr.. Brevard."
II will inquire about her ard meet
you at the landing"
Bessie? Girl in white sailor hat7
1 saw her go on the first boat with
dark-haired man. Others con-
frming this statement, the Bindings
| were satisfied and embarked without
delay. But another white sailor hat
had been seen and the girl who wore
| it was Jessie. Our Bessie was care
fully putting some shells in wrist
bag she carried when Mr.. Brevard,
| whose attention had at last been
| drawn from her to the cloud, began
| to 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
| storm"
The distance was greater than he
| imagined, and they faced wind that
soon blew perfect gale. When the
breaking waves forced a channel
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
'It was I who insisted on gather
ing more Shells"
would you be afraid, if I left you
alone to search crossing? First let
/ To
He scooped out a nest in the wet
| sand and surrounded it with brush
| gathered near, but, although thus pro-
tected, the Is minotes 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 to see a skeleton
| arm or grinning skull uncovered
| by the gale. Overhead, the black
mass had broken into tattered frag-
ments of cloud like huge vultures
| futtering above. Then the winds
mournful monotone would sometimes
| rise into a shrek.
1.-THE creeping tide crept up along the
sand
And Ger and DER the sand;
| And round and round the sand
| And never home came She
Why did Kingsley's lines come to
her like a foreboding strain? Would
the fate of his heroine be hers? Why
did Mr.. Brevard remain SO long?
Mr.. Brevard, by devious ways had
reached a point much nearer the
lighthouse, and drawing a handker-
chief from his pocket to wave from
pole, also drew out a box of matches.
This suggested a bonfire. With the
dry driftwood around he kindled a
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 excursionists had remained
on the island, for the water became
too rough for the last rowboat to
venture out to 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.. Brevard, 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 I'M
steady, though Bessie crossed it
without accident. Under Mr.. Bre,
Yards 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 he
had secured about his waist and he
was soon standing on the beach with
no injury but few bruises and a
very briny soaking.
81 saved few of those dearly
bought Shells" said Bessie, as they
were enjoying the nice hot supper
prepared for them.
"You may add my book as a 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. Brevard still preserves that
wristbag and blueboumd book in re-
membrance Of the most eventful day
in remarkably placid lfe-N. o.
Times-Democrat