Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-01-25

Why did not ask am, pray him, to
take me with hims Never to see him
again She broke OF with sob
thai shook her, My arm is mum,
bed am falijng," she said, with y
wall Tell htm-teu him--oh, God,
and love him So"
The Agony in her voice seemed To
so straight to her companions heart,
Her dark face flushed red, her eyes
Shoue with a CLEAN OF pity
Mold on" she said, almost Missed,
between her white teeth SNut fast.
You shan't die, You tried to save
me. YOU risked your life for me. and
.rU save YOU, Put your arm
round Your companions neck, Don't BE
afraid; I'm strong. | 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,
pautou's neck,
III Id only 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 we're
both lost, for don't mean to let you
Ing 10 die? want to live now, After
all he's not quite lost--my man,
mean, He may come bacK--lll get
him back I'll best the other woman,
or know the reason WHY"
mo use, no use!" moaned Leslie,
No, usel What do you mean? Am
ugly, hump-backed? DO you mean
she's better looking than am? l
don't believe It, He's been caught
by a new face. That isn't what you
mean? You're going to fallr Not youl
Hold on tight now, for I'm going to
have n shy at the bush above. There's
a bit of patch" She laughed fierce
ly, dehantly "Old Paber lad us do
gymnastics, used to hate EN-;
but I'm much obliged to him now Put
your foot against the rock and spring
not too hard mind--when do.
Once let me get n grip of that bush
up there, and III hang on, or fight my
way till my arm drops OF! Die! Why
should I? was fool! I'll get him
back; YOU see II | don't No, We
won't die. You shall have your hus-
band again Now" she breathed be-
tween her clinched teeth, IF you've
got any pluck in you, IL you want TO
see your husband again, put your
hear into it, Now"
She made spring, They both
gprung at the same moment, as IT
they were one body inspired by ono
will, and the woman got hold of the
bush and cluns with the strength and
tenacity Of leopardess,
All" she gasped; we've done IT.
Cling on to me. Wen wait while |
count twenty, and then Wen go for
the path
NO. no." painted Leslie; 81 could
not! Let us stay here till"
Till this bit of ledge crumbles I'M,
! der us with our weight, and lets Us
drop like poisoned rats? No, no.
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 1t possible
that she should like and see lorke
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 han a path
To be continued.