Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-06-28

saw the flag as it was hoisted opposite.
She dropped every flower, gasping:
ut is union down! Danger, distress.
appeal for aid! l must go. Oh, what
Is that? Cattle, thousands of them!
Oh. thank Providence, here is a skiff."
The girl, reared by old Marblehead,
knew the signal, knew how to row
boat, too, and she quickly cast the
painter loose and in q moment was
pulling with long even strokes toward
the other shore.
| In the general excitement of the mu-
sic, the reading and GRAFTON none saw
the girl in the boat as she pulled brave
ly for 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 had the wind and tide
against her, as the tide was now ebbing
fast, and the fat bottomed 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 off short. The shock
/
went floating off. 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 it
not Malcolm?
She saw the thole pin break and oar
go floating away. The cattle were
humping against the old house, making
1t tremble now. Then she saw the
frail boat heading toward the rocks
helplessly. She forgot the below
ing of the cattle and squeezed
through the door, which opened facing
the beach, while the hurting mass of
beef was against the side. Down to
the beach in three feet steps, and
along to the end Of the point of rocks,
hundred yards away, and into the
! foaming water up to her shoulders,
braced against the rocks behind her,
went Mildred, while the helpless boat
came swiftly along broadside. Mildred
seized the 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 60
completely out of the shelter of the
rocks, as the cattle were still crowding
up against the house and then, bel
lowing, punging on up the hill to the
bluff, where they were pushed over
| by those behind.
How dared you try to cross in that
little boatY' chartered Mildred as she
tried to talk.
II understand boats; but it is differ
ent where you know the shore and
winds and tides. Was it you who
raised that f1ag?"
YES" replied Mildred. WAS there
no man to take your placer
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
II am a teacher, and came out here
to rest l am going to be married in
the fall to Malcolm's brother"
Il am so glad" said Mildred, melt
ing completely. II am so glad for you.
But what is the matter over there"
Somebody Is coming to save u.s.
said Mildred. while Miss Aldrich re-
piled that there was no other boat
"Seer' cried Mildred. That's Nal
colin, and he is going to swim! He
will be drownedr'
HE is strong and swims we'll"
And then they held to each other
and watched with strained eyes for
Malcolm until he reached the shore.
Just then three herders came gallOping
like mad, trying to save the rest of tlf
cattle, and in few minutes they had
LuX's herdsmsD said would fill a vol
ume, but as soon as they saw the two
girls they became all gentleness and in
vited them to the ranch to get some
dry clothes.
One of them confided to Miss Aldrich
that it was tempting Providence to
wear red dress among Texas steers.
While he was saying this Malcolm,
the dripping hero, whispered
Mildred, why dld you go OH ana ger
into such danger? You need some one
to take care of you, and, dear, want
to be that one. See, here is the ring
which will make you my wife"
II will think 1t over"
You'll say yes right now. I've been
reading the Declaration of Independ-
ence today and find I've a right to the
pursuit of happiness, and that is 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 1t.
The three herders after looking over
the cltff held a consultation. One said
that he had always had a hankering
after Australia and guessed he'd 90