Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-01-29

strong" she added, glancing out of the
corners of her dark eyes at Lesne.
1 am glad you are strong" said
Leslie, gravely, as she looked at the
swiftly, surely approaching sea, "for
We shall have to run
Her companion stopped and looked
seward too, and with a strange ex-
preston.
oh, why do you waltz" demanded
Leslie DO you not understand that
there is not a moment to lose?"
The girl laughed a reckless miser-
able laugh which was a grotesque re-
Election of the laugh that Leslie had
heard on the tower when she had
last seen her. Il was thinking if it
was worth while" she said, moodily.
Worth while?" she echoed, uncon-
sciously
Yes; I'm not sure it wouldn't be
better and easier to stop here and let
the water come up. 1t would save a
lot of trouble" And she laughed
again.
With a faint shudder, Leslie's turned
away from the dark eyes and seized
the speakers arm.
you must come at once!" she said,
firmly.
! The woman drew back for mo-
ment; then, as if yielding against her
will, allowed Leslie to draw her for
ward. They hurried over the rocks in
silence, for moment or two, the
waves splashing against their feet:
then Leslie stopped and uttered an
exclamation, her eyes fixed on the cliff
before them, her face suddenly pale
What is the matter? Are we too
late?" asked her companion, duly
and indifferently.
Eyes, we are too Iate." replied
Leslie in a low voice. Then she
caught her breath and forced smile.
DO not be frightened; we may get
round the other way; the ledge of
rock is wider there, but it is more diff
fcult to get over, We must go
back; follow me-"
She turned and sprung quickly from
! rock to rock, and her companion fol
, lowed her example. They passed the
spot where the girl had been sitting,
but it was now covered by the sea,
and they had to wade ankle deep.
Hold fast!'' she said in a quick
whisper IF We gain that point
there where the rock sticks out"
! Even as she spoke a squirt of foam
covered the spot indicated. and the
waves dashed over it. She stopped
and looked round her, her face white
and set.
We are too late here. too" she
said with a sm0thered sob-''tOO late"
and she covered her face with her
hands.
The other girl leaned against the
cliff and stared duly at the angry
waves creeping, creeping like some
wild beast toward them.
You mean we are going to die?'
she said in a low, harsh voice. Go
| ing to die like rats in a hole. Well2-
she shrugged her shoulders don't
care much myself You see, when
you came up just now, I was wishing
l was dead"
Leslie shuddered and put up her
hand as if to stop her. Death was
too near to be spoken of so lightly.
= Eyes. I was. You're shocked, dare
say. But I'm sorry for you. It's a
pity YOU didn't stop whepe you We're
You're not tired of life, judging by
your face
Tired of Iife?' painted Leslie. oh
no, MOI"
so I should say" said the other
sullenIy. $50 you don't understand
what I mean and what-I feel?'
mo. don't understand, said
Leslie, scarcely knowing what she was
saving. But it is dreadful, dreadful
to hear YOU, and at such moment
Hal" she broke off, with an eXeLanla-
tion of horror. and drew her COM
nanion back close to the face OF the
cliff for a wave had dashed at their
feet and wet them to the waist. 1t S
coming up pretty fast" said the girl
1T won't take long to-lsn I there
any chance for you? l don't care
about myself.
Leslie screened her eyes with her
hand.
"A boat might be passing,' she SAID
family. ooh, to think they are so
near-tfrat there are people just round
that bend who, if they knew-oniy
l,new-woaId risk their lives TO save
MS" and she sunk at the foot OF the
cliff and hid her face in her hands.
I'm sorry" said the otheT' II
rough on you TO lose your lie LOT me-
a stranger, too"
Leslie sprung up, her eyes Wlio
with despair. .xr-o
will not die! Do you hear? On,
oo, moi die can not leave him like
Mis-" and she beat her hands TO-
gether. ,,,.bor5
you're thinking Of your nusoano:
- o., eoid the other. eyeing her nan