Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-06-24

motionless on the water, and there was
no sound to break in upon our strange
silence. How long this went on / do not
know. but when at last | looked at my
watch / found lat my promise to her
mother wouid never be kept. The two
hours had passed. / turned the boats
head homeward and pulled steadily, but
my arms were growing tired.
Wont you let me row little?' asked
the girl
"We must hurry" l said. Perhaps
I'd better keep on myself"
"Oh, do let me row just a little bit"
she pleaded You must be tired. III
let you take the oars again in minute
] laid them in. and we changed seats
leant back in the stern and watched the
ease and strength with which she moved
the boat 1t was getting darker now
but | did not care for that. The world
had grown very dark to me.
| shut my eyes and lay thinking,
thinking. Suddenly and without mo-
ment's warning there came rending
crash and the next instant we were in
the water. When | came to the surface
saw her face not a yard away from
me. A single stroke brought me to her,
and caught her in my arms. She strug
gled fiercely for a moment.
For Gods sake don't struggle"
cried Keep still and we'll be all right"
] was no great swimmer, but | cried TO
God to give me strength, and he heard
me. | turned on my back and began to
SWIM holding her under the arms, but
| was already tired, and my strength
was giving out. My breath came in
great gasps, and l thought how easy it
would be to say "Good- bye" to the world
and sink slowly. l had another to think
of, however, and | struggled doggedly
toward the island. A few fierce strokes,
and again | was near despairing, when
heard the voice of the girl who lay
50 quietly in my grasp.
Jack" she said in a low, calm voice,
you can't hold me up. Let me go,
Jack! | only want to tell you one thing
first. l love YOU! l love you! Now let
me gol Ali"
The blood rushed to my head, and
felt as though | would faint, but | swan
slowly on. Would i never reach land I?
As this thought ran through my brain
my foot touched bottom and in a second
was wading ashore with her in my
arms. | tottered a few steps up the
shingle, then lair my burden down and
fell by its side.
Dora" whispered Dora, my sweet
heart, speak to me. Wake up, darling.
We are safe-we are safe" 7 think |
wept when | saw her lying there so still
--ny new found love.
A culver ran through her body, and
she slowly opened her eyes.
rs that you, Jack?" she said. "Are
we safe"
caught her wet hand to my lips and
covered it With kisses.
'Nhy, of course, we are safe, dear
est" ] said. She looked up at me and
smiled. Pm glad you didn't let me co.
she said
| laid my fingers upon her lips.
"Hush'' | whispered. Then | stood up.
Il must try to attract the attention of
some of the men at the loch foot" /
told her. / climbed to the summit of a
piece OF rising ground close by, from
whence could see the lights of the cap
tain's house, and sent up shout after
shout into the cir.
No one seemed to hear me, and | was
almost giving up in despair when heard
an answering cry from the landing stage
far away. and from the sounds that
reached my ears | could tell they were
getting boat out. l felt that our
troubles Wee nearly over, and l went
back to Dora.
'They have got boat out and are
coming to us" I'told her.
Her eyes smiled at me from behind the
dark, wet tresses of hair that half COW
cred her face.
4 am perfectly happy" she said
Soaking and cold as we were we sat
side by side there on the shingle and /
held her hand in mine.
"The boat will be here in a minute or
two" said. Before it comes | want
YEN to tell me why you said you loved
me and if you really meant it." When
looked into her eyes | did not need to
be told that she meant it, but / listened
eagerly to her words.
Il love you jack" she whispered softly
II have loved you ever so long, but
have been cruel! When you first told
me / could not believe that you really
loved me, and IL refused you because
} thought it would be better so. ]
! thought you would forget"
She paused, and then my fingers tight
ened upon her hand.
"Then when l saw you did not forget
my mood changed l felt sure of your
love. but | meant to keep you from me
little while longer. | had a great plan
L wanted to come upon you some day
J when you did not think me near and tel
you myself Only this evening / made III
+. my mind that | would tell you tomor.
row, but out there in the cold. black
water, when | thought we would botl
drown, | could not wait. Do you fergivt
me for having been so cruel?"
| put my arm about her. Il cannot
forgive | said, because there is moth
. ing to forgive, but can thank you dear
est, and love you with all my heart
? She nestled closer TO me, and | felt hel
!, shiver You must be very cold, dear
=, | said, and l longed for the boat to come
t and take her back to the shelter of {
! warm house. She did not answer, anC