Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-15

from the hattlements Never until this
day had she seen a man die; never had
she been asked 10 take an instantan eous
resolution wherein the measure OF her own
peru might be the measure OF another
man s safety II for the hriefest instant
she failed to answer the call. cowardice had
no part In her irresolution. Few would
have acted otherwise.
Gavin climbed the rope almos, inch by
men. seeking as he did so a foothold upon
the rotten stone. and careful always to
ortng no sudden jerk upon the trembling
cotd: II seemed an eternity before he
leached the foroidding parapet where the
sFaVer danger must be faced; but when
he did SO and tried to put an arm over
the pnising stone then he understood that
none came to his assistance he was
most certainly doomed Beneath him the
erumoiing cornice became so much pow
oered dust whenever HIS feet touched tho
could ma no foUthold there nor 50 much
as feel ii single projection upon the but
ttesS oy which he might pull himself up
10 SAFETY. And his wrists now aUhed with
pam which threatened 20 become Intol-
eEaoie' the rope cut his hands untH drops
oil blood tTickled from them to his face
salvation depended upon that which ha
could do while man might count twenty.
ana with death looking up at him eNultfng-
~ ne mace last effort 70 surmouat the
ouiS4hs pAfapct and I'm the same instant
totG himself that Ii was Impossible.
It'll cannot do it!''
IS this merit of exhaustion In danger that
II oHnds the imagination and leaves indif-
terence TO the ultimate issue Gavin WAS
JUSt AZ lhat point when "A man is incapable
OF further effort even In the cause Of his
own safety. when looking IN he perceived
Evelyn al the balustrade her face deathly
white. her eyes shining terror: but her
acts were cool and collected az they had
been when first he met her In the long GAL
Iery or Melbourne Hall Walked from tile
trance of fear by the words he had spoken.
she cast one quick glance at the figure
s"aylhs upon the rope, then turned about
her ana STOPPING, she picked up the long
rope which her own indebtedness had dis
placed from the hattlements Methodically
and without blundev. she made a moose in
TINS and passed 1t over the parapet
slip your arm over It," she said in a
voice that betrayed no emotion whatever.
i viii tie Il 70 the weaJher-vane-please
please try. | can help you'll am very
strong Mr.. ord. Yes that is the way-now
take my haud-den't be afraid TO hurt mo
yes. yes like that"
He slipped one arm over the moose and
changing hands Cicverly upon the other
rope and digging his feet deep into the rot
ting stone he drew the moose around his
body while she caught UP the slack ~ the
cord and bound 1t round and round tho
great iron pillar of the weather-vane which
crowns the belfry tower OF Melbourne Hall.
His position was such in this instant that
he hung out clear above the abyss with his
race upon level with the parapet and his
body backward TO the flags below. All de-
pended upon the iron pillar Of the weather
vane and the stuff of which the rope was
made. Gavin had no alternative but 10
trust to It, and he swung himself out fear
leSsly with earnest prayer for safety
upon his lips. So near to him that he Won
dered that his arms could not touch her
the figure of Evelyn. seeming to beck
on him TO salvation. He felt the moose draw
tight about his body, and for some instants
he swung to and fro almost with the con-
tent Of one who has waged a good fight
IsIaa
comely to his ears once more, bidding him
make an effort. and at this he pulled him
self up almost with superhuman will and
touched the round of the stonework with
his hands laid fiat upon 1t and his knees
bent upon the balustrade Would he fall
back once more or had She the strength to
save him? Her little hands had caught him
by the wrists now, and, kneeling she eX-
erted strength she had never known her
self to possess. Must they go crashing to-
gether to the flags shining in the sunlight
below? In vain he duplicated her to re
lease her hold and leave him to do battle
for himself.
Il shall pull you over" he cried madly.
For Gods sake, leave to myself
She scarcely heard him; her eyes were
closed, her lips were hard set; she had
thrown her whole weight backward from
the hips and with every muscle sU7ining.
every danger forgotten but that OF the
man whose safety she had Imperfect, she
drew him to her side and fell faintng be-
fore him.
Gavin was dizzy and sick from fear. His
hands were cut and bleeding; his clothes
torn to ribbons; he could hear the heavy
pulsation Of his heart when he bent to Int
Evelyn in his strong arms as one who.
henceforth had some right to do so.
The worst may become the best. he said
to himself quietly: she will tell me her
story now
And so he carried her down to the long
gallery and Melbourne Hall heard of the
accident for the first time
Go be continued next Saturday.