The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-21

arter you left. Twas near touchin' her then. and twill come up higher to- nightr
 "You go on peelin'." retorted Dow sett doggedly,
 Mrs. bowsett laid down her knife and slowly wiped her hands on her apron. Then che left the room with stairs, which led straight out of the kitchen to Laura's room. In a minute or two she returned, and began to tie e shawl over her head.
 What be doin'?" growled Dowsett, regarding her with the lazy stare of a man who is too tired to think or move.
 The lass Is asleep" his wife said in a low voice, Poor thingi I doubt It'd be more merciful for her never to wake"
 Where be goin' ?" the man asked.
 ITO look after the old dinghy. We don't want to lose her. She was built the year we---the year--you remember, sam"
 Dowsett rose to his feet and stretch cd his great arms.
 I'll go," he said gently. I'd not lose her myself" and then he added. as Though ashamed of his little scrap of sentiment. "They built them old boats welI---I wouldn't lose her"
 sTli fetch Zee the lantern" She re- tired into another and smaller chamber which they called the scullery, and re- turned with a battered hurricane lamp. He took 1t from her. and when he had lit it. he opened the door and slipped out into the storm.
 In i've minutes time Dowsett re-. turned, and, as he slammed the door. his wife noticed an anxious expression
 What be wrong?s she asked quick ly
 I've pulled her to the top of the bank" he replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
 Then she'm all right?"
 Dowsett did not answer. but. blow ing out the lahtern. he carried 1t into the sculiory and set 1t down on the stone floor.
 T don't like xile looks of 1t at all. he said, as he returned.
 what is the matter?" cried his wife angrily. Cant 'ee speak out and be done with it.'
 ,sThe old boats safe enough. she iss;' he replied, as he refllled his pipe. But the tide was near halfway up her keel. and 'tis three hours on high wa ter yet. I ain't never seed such tide up the creek, I'm thinkin twill top the wall in bout hour'n half"
 .aTop the wali,a echoed Mrs. Dowsett with a Frightened ieak on her dull face. "You be a fool, Sam. l ain't never heard of the tide toppin' the wall
 well. mebbe, you'll hear of It t'night,s he replied grimly. and # 'tweren't for the lass upstairs. I'd put 'ee in the old dinghy and row 'ee up to the smack. 'Tis chance weW be washed out of oursheds tonight.
 sFx,s. .olI MF8. Dawsett doubtfully. "a powerful good swall"
 "Ay, if wall holds. 'tis all right, sure enough. The house'n hold, tho I'm thinkin' we'll have a foot or tive Of water in the kitchen"
 e'Tis a strong wall" she reiterated doggedly. Come and lend hand with things in the parlor, wouldn't have that new carpet spoilt Tor all the boats in Christendom.
 The words contained the simple creed of her existence. She was not con- cerned with her own life, or the dnn- ger which threatened if. All her thoughts were for the few things which represented the savings Of years, the hardly earned trifes which formed her worldly wealth.
 The man rose to his feet without a word. and they both occupied the next hour in removing their treasured 0e- ,longinas to e. room upstairs. The work was done swiftly but quietly, so as not to disturb Laura from her sleep A separate staircase---a kind of glofi- fed ladder--led up from the parior to their own bedroom, and up this steep ascent Sam Dowsett staggered with load after load of household treasures. They stripped the room of everything that the water could possibly damage. Carpets, curtains, stuffed birds.e books, woolly mats, china dogs, wax flowers chairs, fender, rug. cushions were all removed to a place of safety.
 When they had completed their task Sam Dowsett looked doubtfully at the bed, which was heaped up high with books and china.
 Pm doubtin' where we'll sleep" he said after g pause.
 ''Mebbe there won't be any sleep for US tonight" his wife replied. I've the lass to watch, hnd I'm thipkin' you may be busy"
 They looked at each other in silence. Their minds had been entirely occupied with the saving of their little worldly treasures. But now both the man and woman had themselves to think of, and the presence of a helpless stran- ger did not sweeten their thoughts. The same Idea was in both their minds, and there was the same mute question in their eyes.
 rTis n good wall" said the man. Then he paused and listened. A long. melancholy howl rose above the 4din md chatter of the storm. It sounded aint and far away, but a mans shout night have done the same in that tn. mutt of wind and sea.
 iris the marsh dog" whispered Mrs. Do~sett in a frightened voice. T atnt
 tA vet though father seed him once. Hem as big aF horse, and black as lump of coal, and when he howls. 'tis sure sign of evil"
 'Don't be fool" replied Sam angri- ly. '"Tis old Ripper howlin' in his kennel"
 Hut as is in contradiction to his words there came a loud angry bark from the back of the house, and 1t was answered by another howl louder and more distinct than the last
 '"Tis the marsh dog" said Mrs Dow sett, making her way down the ladder. T do hope he won't find dVr Ripper"
 Sam followed her downNthe ladder, and, as they made their way back to
 'is,' e~. they heard tho bowling close to the door of the cottage. Kip- per parked furiously. as if to show that he at any rate had nothing to do with this. melancholy noise.
 "'Tis some poor dog from one of the barges," said Sam. going to the door. and finging 1t wide open. The wind burst into the room, and there was an- other long howl.
 Good dogw said Sam. and then. as he whistled encouragingly, dripping
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