Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-01-05

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 perpleSed.
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
, whisper. But the half hearted invita-
ton acted like a 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 1t, 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 d 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.
ooh, I am so glad" she said. almost
tearfully. you see, you couldn't get
across"
The Pilot staggered to his feet, took
a step toward her and gasped out:
Il cam and pitched headlong.
With a 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 LOUISE" he said, with his
face toward the swollen stream.
Safe enough" she answered. "But
you must come in; the rain is just 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.
OF course I knew what would hap
pSA' 'SAciS IL SNSl11S NdS ONCl uC
had 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 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. loft In the
Silly Night" the old mar drew a hard
breath and groaned out to me:
1T 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 blankly at him and then at her
father.
What does he say, dadY'
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
49," He rose slowly, went into the in
ner room and returned with a Bible.
ITS her mother's," he said in a voice
deep with emotion. II put it in her
trunk the day I 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 her."
"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 IL he
had been his father and said In his
clear, sweet voice, "Some day you will
go to her"
Upon this scene poor Gwen gazed with
eyes wide open with amazement and IL
kind Of fear. She had seer her
father weep since the awful day that
she could eve forget. when he had
knelt in dumb agony beside the bed on
which her mother lay white and still:
nor would he heed her till, climbing up.
sho triad. TO make her mother waken