The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-15

MOI when II was III mood.
Yes; when it was in flood, higher
than now.
"Notswhere the banks are rocky"
MOO he hesitated.
"There. then; you would 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 GO Owens
disappointment showed in her face.
ASK him to stay, dad, she said in
q 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, 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 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
coaxed 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 so glad" she said. almost
tearfully. "Ycu see, you couldn't get
across
The Pilot staggered to his feet, took
a step toward her and gasped out:
II CAM and, &pitched headlong.
With little cry she flew to him and
turned him oxer-,on his back. In
few moments he revived. sat up and
looked about stupidity.
where's Lotiis?" he said, with his
face toward the swollen stream.
Safe enough" she answered. "Bu,
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 him to stay till the storm
was past. So. with a final look at the
stream. the Pilot turned toward the
house.
OF course | knew what would hap
pen. Before the evening was over he
had captured the household. The mo-
ment he appeared with dry things ON
lie ran to the organ. that had stood for
ten years closed and silent, opened it
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, soft In the
Silly Night the old man drew hard
breath and groaned out to me:
1T was her mothers song" and from
that time the Pilot had him fast. II
was easy to pass to the old hymn,
Nearer, My God, to Thee" and then
the Pilot said simply. May we have
prayersi" He looked at Gwen, but she
gazed bankly 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
lele for many years. and the worse for
MS" He rose slowly, went into the in
ner room and returned with Bible.
ITS her mothers he said in voice
deep with emotion. II put 1t in her
trunk the day | laid her out yonder I'M
DIR the pines" The Pilot. without look
ing at him. rose and reverently took tic
hook in both his hands and said gently;
III was Il sad day for you. but for
her" He paused You did not
grudge il to her?"
Not now. but then. yes! | wanted
her. we needed her" The Old Timers
tears We're flowing.
The Pilot put his hand caressingly
rpon the old mans shoulder as If he
had been his father and said in his
clear sweet voice, "Some day you will
so to her"