The Marshall republican., 1906-06-01

"Well. he might be more ancient"
acknowledged the Duke. "but In that
he is steadily improving"
Anyway with an air Of 1nality.
"he Is not TO come here"
But he did come. and under her W
escort. one threatening August even.
ing.
~ found hsn in the crock" she an.
nounced with defiant shamcfnccdness.
marching In the Pilot half drowned.
II think ! could have crossed" lac
sid npologetically. FOR Louis was get.
ting on his feet again"
mo. you wouldn't" she protested.
"You won have been down into the
canyon by now. and you ought TO he
thankful"
80 I am" he hastened to say. Every.
Hut" be ndded, unwilling 10 give up
his contention, Il have crossed the
Swan before"
Not when n was In food"
Yes: when II was in food. higher
than now"
"Not where the banks are rocky"
'No-or' he hesitated.
There. then: you would have been
drowned but for my %luriatl' she cried
triumphnntly.
To this he doubtfully nsscntcd.
They were much alike. Ia high ten.
per, IN enthusiasm, vivid imagination
and In sensitive feeling. When the
Old Timer came In Gwen trlumplnntly
introduced the Pilot as having been
rescued from "a watcry grave by her
larlni. aud ngnln they fought out the
possibilities OF drowning and OF escape
ill Gwen almost lost her temper and
was nprcaSed only by the most pro.
fuse expressions OF gratitude on ths
part OF the I'ilot for her timely aTslsi-
ahcc. The Old Timer was pcrpleSeG.
lie was afraid to offend Gwen aud
yet unwilling To lie cordial Ia her guest.
The Pilot was quick Ia feel this. and.
soon after ten. rose 60 go. Owens
disappointment showed In her face.
ASK linn 10 stay. dad" she said In
q whisper. But the half hearted invita-.
ton acted like n spur aud the Pilot was
determined To set on.
There's II bad storm coming" she
said. ''and, BESIDES" she added trl.
%uinphantly. you can't cross the Swan"
This settled Il. aud the most earnest
prayers Of the Old Timer could not
have held him bnck.
We MI cnt down 10 see Him cross.
Gwen leading her pinto, The Swan
was fur over lts banks aud In the mid.
die running swift aud strong. Louis
snortcd, refused and finally plunged.
Brayely he wan I'LL the swift run.
ming water struck him. and over he
went on his side. throwing his rider
into the water. But the Pilot kept his
head ana. holding by the stirrups.
padded along by Louis side. When
they were half way across Louis saw
that he had no chance of making the
landing. 40. like n sensible horse. he
turned aud made for the shore. Here.
too. the banks were high. and the pony
began TO grow discouraged.
LET him tioat down farthery' shrek.
ed Gwen In anxious excitement. aud.
urging her pinto down the bank. she
coaxed the. struggling pony down tho
stream tai opposite a shelf OF rock
level with the high water. Then she
threw her lnriat. ana. catching Louis
about the neck and the horn Of his
saddle, she held taut, I'LL, half drown.
cd. he scrambled up the bank. drag.
cling the Pilot with him.
"Oh. ! am 80 gladg" she said. almost
tearfully. you see. you couldn't get
across"
The Pilot staggered 10 his feet, took
a step toward her and gasped out:
II cam and pitched headlong.
With a little cry she flew TO him and
turned him over on his back. Inca
few moments he revived. sat up and
looked about stupidity.
where's LOUISE he said. with his
face toward the swollen stream
safe enough" she answered. 'But
ing TO pour
But the Pilot seemed possessed.
"No; I'm going 20 cross" he snid.
rising.
Gwen was greatly distressed,
But your poor horse" she said.
cleverly changing her ground. HE Is
quite tired out"
The Old Timer now Joined earnestly
In urging him TO stay till the storm
was past. So. with a final look mt tn.
stream, the Pilot turned toward the
house.
or course knew what would hap
pen. Before the evening wns W he
had captured the household. The mo.
ment he appeared with dry things on
he ran to the organ, that had stood for
ten years closed and silent, opened II
and began 10 play. A he played ana
sang song after song the Old Timers
eyes began to glisten under hts shargy
brows. hut when he dropped Into the
exquisite Irish melody. "Oft In the
Silly Night" the old mar drew . hard
breath and groansd ont to me:
TT was her mothers song and from
that tins tho Pilot had him fast. II