Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-02-01
| LeS|ie'S LIIAI :!
| Loyalty ; ::::;::
Continued.

women were fighting for dear life, and
their blood was burning at fever heat;
and they managed, almost miraculous
ly, to creep, crawl, drag themselves up
ward, and still upward.
Below them roared the angry waves,
as II with hooking rage at their at
tempts to escape It's voracious nav;
about their heads whirled the gulls,
screaming shrilly, weirdly. Even now
and then a stone, displaced by their
feet, rolled and sprung from point to
point and ultimately bounded into the
gulf below Them and each time Leslie
felt that In moment she, too, would
be bounding and falling, like the
stone, TO that hldeous death.
For some minutes neither spoke.
They could hear each others breath
coming In thick, labored gasps; and
Leslie, who was in front. now and
again felt her companions breath
striking like that Of hot furnace up
on her neck.
Keep on hold tlght!' she heard
her say presently. Keep your eyes
up. The path is broadening If--if
we can hold on another minute or two
or year, for that's what II seems
lilte--we're savedl"
Leslie could not reply; her tongue
cleaved to the roof Of her mouth; her
lips, dry and stiff, would not move.
But still, as she climbed, her hearts
voice murmured "Yorke Yorkel"
and she drew courage from It. 1t was
worth fighting for, this life of hers
the life which his love had made 80
precious, 80 beauteous. If she lived
she would be his wife. His wife! Yes
she would live She would fight on
while there was breath In her body,
while there was strength In her fingers
to clutch an inch Of even the moss on
the cliffs surface.
For such moments time Is not. 1t Ia
swallowed up In the agony tho sus-
pense, The mingled hope and despair
which rack and wiring the heart dpd
brain.
She scarcely knew how long they
had hoen making that awful journey
through the Valley of the Shadow OF
Death, scarcely realized that they
were saved, when she saw the edge of
the cliff just beyond her, and with
one great effort raised herself above
lt--above it!--and threw herself up.
on the level ground, gripping the
short turf with her hot fingers, as II
she dreaded something would drag her
back again and hurl her into the sea,
awful whose voice doomed family In
her ears. She lay thus FOR mo.
ment or two, her companion lying on
her elbow, painting, beside her. Then,
with great Sob Leslie rose to her
knees and poured out her heart In
thanksgiving to Him who had restored
her to life and to Yorke.
The woman stood and eyed her, with
pale face and halflowored lids
where are we?" she said, at last.
Leslie rose and turned to her with
both hands outstretched
"Oh, what can say--how can |
thank your she exclaimed, in great
agitation. you have saved my llro!"
The woman wiped her lips and
forced smile,
That's n rum way of putting It,"
she said her voice shaking n little "If
did, you saved mine first, 1t was
narrow squeak for both of us" She
looked round almost impatlently.
where are we?'
where are WEI" she repeated, Il
! want to get back to London as soon
as | can. 1--we been out of my mind,
| think, and this-thls affair has pulled
me round. Don't you take any notice
of what | said Rbout--ahout him
the man | spoke Of | don't believe
I've lost him, after ull can get
him back" She laughed discordant.
ly.--and flushed. MS II half ashamed OF
the new hope that the escape from
death had seemed to give her, Hes
els no worse than the rest. They're
all alllte--easily taken with new
face And and know he likes me.
He was sorry for going directly after
he'd left me, and--Yes' she
pushed the black hair from her face
YES, I'll bet my life | get him back"
Leslie looked at her. with smile Of
sympathy and encouragement.
YES" she said II hope so-ah, |
hope SO II was dreadful to see you
and hear YOU when we were-down
there!" and she glanced, with a shud-
der, at the edge of the cliff.
eyes, was pretty low then" said
the other. 1T was hard fight,
wasn't it, You and ought to be
friends; but"--she paused, and looked
hard and almost shyly ut Leslle's
face-"but perhaps you wouldn't care
for that. You're lady, swell, |
can see that; and well, Am not
fit"
Leslie put out her hand to stop her,
You must not talk like that now
just when we have escaped death to.
pether. And hope-oh YES. | hope