Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-05

Not when II was in food"
yes; when it was in flood, higher
than now"
Not whore the banks are rocky"
"No-or' he hesitated.
"There, then; you would have been
drowned but for my lariatw she cried
triumphantly.
To this he doubtful}y aseented.
They were much alike. in high tom
per- IN enthusiasm, vivid imasina ton
and in sensitive feeling. When the
Old Times came In Gwen triumphantly
introduced the Pilot as having been
rescued from a 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 perplsxed.
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 go. Ovens
disappointment showed IN her face.
Ask him to stay. dad" she said In
Il whisper. But the half hearted invita-
ton acted like spur and the Pilot was
determined to set off.
There's a bad storm coming" she
said. and, 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 it's banks and in the mid
die running swift and 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
coa1ed the struggling pony down the
stream till opposite a 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 90 glad" she said. almost
tearfully. You see, you couldn't get
across"
The Pilot staggered to his feet. took
ii step toward her and easped out:
Il can and pitched hoadlong.
With n little cry she flew to him and
turned him over on his back. In a
few moments no revived, sat up and
looked about stupidity.
''Whpre's Louis?" he said. with his
face toward the swollen stream.
Safe enough" she answered But
you must come in; the rain is lust 60
ing to pour"
But the Pilot seemed possessed.
mo; 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 him to stay till the storm
was past So, with a final look at the
stream, the Pilot turned toward the
house
or course I knew what would hap
pen. Before the evening was ever he
had captured the household. The mo-
ment he appeared with dry things on
be ran 10 the organ. that had stood for
ten years closed and silent. opened il
and began 10 play. As he played and
sang song after song the O,l Timer :
eyes began TO glisten under HIS aaggy
browS. But when he dropped INTO the
exquisite Irish melody, loft In the
Silly Night" the old man drew a hard
breath and groaned out 10 me:
1T was her mothers song" and from
that time the Pilot had him fast. 1t
was easy to pass TO the old lynn.
Nearer, My God to Thee" and Then
the Pilot said simply, May we have
prayers" He looked at Gwen. but she
gazed blankly at him and then at her
father.
What does he say, dad?"
1t was pitful 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
us" He rose slowly, went into the in
ner room and returned with Bible.
ITS her mothers" be said in a voice
deep with emotion. II put II in her
trunk the day laid her out yonder I'M
der the pines" The Pilot, without look
ing at him, rose and reverently took the
book in both his hands and said gently:
1T was a sad day for you, but for
her He paused. You did not
grudge it to herr
Not now. but then, yes wanted
her, we needed her" The Old Timers
tears were flowing.
The Pilot put his hand caressingly
upon the old mans shoulder as If he
had been his father and said in his
clear. sweet voice, Some day you will
20 TO her"
Upon this scene poor Gwen gazed with
eyes wide open with amazement and a