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

Why did not I ask 6,m, pray him, to
take me with him? Never to see him
again" She broke off with a sob
that shook her MY arm is num-
bed. am falling" she said with
vail. Tell him-tell him-Oh, God
and | love him SOL"
The agony in her voice seemed TO
so straight to her companions heart.
Her dark face flushed red, her eyes
shone with a CLEAN OF pity.
Hold on" she said, almost Kissed
between her white teeth sNut fast
You shan't die! You tried to save
me, you risked your life for me, and
| I'll save you. Put your arm
round your companions neck. Don't be
afraid; I'm strong I can dance for
hours. My ankles are like steel. Cling
to me, | say, with one hand-anyhow.
Scarcely knowing what she was do
ing, Leslie released the bush with one
hand and put her arm round her COM
panions neck
eff I'd only a drop of brandy
muttered the woman. How cold your
arm feels! You're not going to faint?
For Gods sake, don't do that, or were
both lost, for | don't mean to let you
go now. Die! Who says were go
ing to die? / want to live now. After
all, he's not quite lost-my man,
mean. He may come back-rlI get
him back! I'll best the other woman,
! ~, Iypow tho reason WhVl"
mo use. no use!" moaned Leslie.
mo, use! What do you mean? Am
I ugly, hump-backed? Do you mean
she's better looking than am? !
don't believe it! He's been caught
by a. new face. That isn't what you
mean? You're going to fall? Not you:
Hold on tight now, for I'm going to
have shy at the bush above. There's
a bit of patch" She laughed fierce
Nv, deiantly. "Old Paber lad us do
gymnastics. I used to hate 'em;
but I'm much obliged to him now. Put
your foot against the rock and spring
not too hard mind-when l do.
Once let me get a grip Of that bush
ND there, and I'll hang on, or fight my
way till my arm drops off, Die! Why
should I? I was a fool! I'll get him
back; you see if | don't. No, We
won't die. You shall have your hus-
band again. Now!' she breathed be-
tween her clinched teeth. eff you've
got any pluck in you, if you want to
see your husband again, put your
heart into it. Now"
She made a spring. They both
sprung at the same moment, as if
they were one body inspired by one
will and the woman got hold Of the
bush and clung with the strength and
tenacity of leopardess.
"Ah!" she gasped; we've done it!
Cling on to me. Well wait while
count twenty, and then We'll go for
the path
mo, no!'' painted Leslie; Il could
not! Let us stay here till"
g, Till this bit of ledge crumbles I'M
der us with our weight, and lets us
drop like poisoned rats? No, no! I
don't feel like that. I'm going to live
to live; and so are you"
She counted the twenty, then she
put her arm round Leslie's waist.
Now, put one hand on my shoulder
and cling with the other to the bits OF
bush and stump, and don't look down!
Mind that. or you'll drop as sure as
fate!"
Leslie shuddered Her heart was
beating wildly, but faint hope was
creeping over her. Was it possible
that she should like and see Yorke
once more?
Slowly she felt her way along the
surface with her hand till she got hold
of the dry but firmly rooted scrub;
then she drew herself up and along
The narrow ledge. which was a assure
in the rock rather than path.
| To be continued.