West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-07-04

IN the general excitement Cf tho mn.
sic, the reading and Grafton none saw
the girl IN the boat as she pulled brave
~ Tor the little house. but her heart
sank as she saw that the cold trade
wind was sucking her down between
the hills and carrying her toward the
entrance faster than she could row
across. She lad the wind aud tide
against her. as the tide was now ebbing
fast. and the flat bottomcd boat offered
no resistance. She saw herself drift
Ing toward the jagged rocks In spite
OF her frantic efforts. Then one OF the
thole pins broke on short The shock
jerked the oar from her hand. and IL
went floating OF. Before She could
make an attempt TO scull the boat with
the other oar she was ON the rocks.
In the meantime. and in very short
time altogether. Mildred had seen the
young woman coming and knew that
rescue was at hand. But why was IL
not Malcolmy
She saw the thole pin break ana oar
go floating away The cattle were
humping against the old house. malSin.
IL trcmble now Then she saw the
frail boat heading toward the rocks
helplcssly. She forgot the below.
ing of the cattle and squeezed
through the door. which opened fRclng
the beach, while the hurtlug mass OF
beef was against the side Down 10
the beach in three feet steps. and
along TO the end of the point of rocks.
hundred yards away. ana Into the
foaming water up TO her shoulders.
braccd against the rocks behind her.
went Mildred. while the helpless boat
came swiftly along broudsidc Mildred
seized TIE outstretched arms Of the
reScuer while the. empty boat went
whirling away.
The two girls struggled up toward
the safer beach, but they dared not go
completely out of the shelter of the
rocks, as the cattle were sim crowdmg
up against the house aud then. hcl
lowing. plunglng on up the hin 70 the
blum, where they were pushed over
10y those behind
How dared YOU try To cross I'm that
little boatY' chattered Mildred as she
tried 10 tulk.
81 understand boats: but II is differ.
ent where YOU know the shore and
winds and tides. Was 1t you who
raised that hagf"
"Yes," replied Mildred WAS there
no man 10 take your placcT
II know no one but Malcolm Bur
chard. and he was away looking for
YOU"
Oh said Mildred, and the water
grew less chilly. The two girls held
each other closely Mabel continued:
Il am teacher ana came ont here
to rest. l am going to he married In
the fall to Malcolm's brother"
II am so glad" said Mildred. melt
Ing completely. ~ am Sn glad for yop
But what Is the matter over thercg"
Somebody is coming 10 save us"
said Mildred. while Miss Aldrlch re-
piled that there was no other boat.
See, cried Mildred. That's Nal
colin, and he is going TO swim! lie
will be drownedr
''ile is strong and swims we'll"
And then they held TO each other
and watched with strained eyes FOR
Malcolm until he rcnched the shore
Just then three hcrlcrs came galloplng
like mad, trying TO save the rest OF the
cattle, and in n few minutes they had
turned the herd. what Miller &
LuX's herdsmen said would III vol
ume, but as soon as they saw the two
girls they became all gentlcncss AMI in.
vited them TO the ranch to get some
dry clothes.
One of them conGdcd TO Miss Aldrlch
that II was tempting Providence TO
wear a red dress among Texas steers.
While he was saying this Malcolm.
the dripping hero, whispered
Mildred, why did you go Off and get
into such danger? You need some. one
TO take care Of you, and, dear I want
20 be that one. See, here Is the ring
which will make you my wife%
II will think IL over"
you'll say yes right now. I've been
reading the Declaration OF Independ-
encc today and find I've a right to the
pursuit of happiness, and that IL what
you mean for me"
Then he took the cold hand, tasting
yet Of salt water, and put the ring on.
and Mildred did not look angry as he
kissed IT,
The three herders after looking over
the clin held a consultation. one said
that he had always had a hunkering
ifter Australia and guessed he'd go,
and the second said ne thought he
would do well in the mines. The third
said:
Il guess I'll stop What tie maln
guys will say 20 us I don't know. but.
do know they won't stop swearing
from this Fourth Of July tll Christ
mas. can stand II n they can. Say,
beef Will be awful cheap for week
or two I'm Frisco, ehY"