The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-06-27
CHAPTER XIV.


surprise and uneasiness at the miscar
riAge Of his previous one, more especially
on account of the important communities
ton which it had contained, Of which be
repeated the substance, and, as far % he
could remember, the language, and again
asked Sir Launce what steps had better
be taken In regard to it. The epistle
then went on to state that he had pro-
posed to Miss Grierson, but that lady,
having confessed to a prior attachment,
and, having thrown herself upon his gen
srosity, he had at once withdrawn his
own pretensions
Despite the vital interest thus imper-
filed, Sir Launce did fully approve OF the
course his son had taken, and his heart
Swelled with pride at this instance OF the
young mans chivalrous nobility OF feel
Ing.
Sir Launce at once communicated 70
Stafford the newsEwhich was no news to
'him-of Arthurs rupture with the Grier-
sons and the relief he felt at being thus
secured from any further visitations from
Mr. Wylie.
He had taken a great fancy to the
young artist, and was more free and
social in his manner towards him than he
had been to any person since many years
The weather was glorious; and what with
sketching the most lovely scenery by day,
and engaging in pleasant and intellectual
conversation by night, Stafford found
time glide on with the most delightful
rnpidity.
About a week after his arrival, how
ever, a circumstance occurred which cast
q gloom over Penrhyddyn and all Its
inhabitants The September gales had
Just begun to rage with great herceness,
and the southwest wind, SO terrible upon
this coast strewed the rocks with wrecks.
One clear, bright morning while the
wind blew furiously, and the sea ran
mountains high, Sir Launce and Stafford
had walked down upon the shore. While
contemplating the sublime horror of the
spectacle, they caught sight of small
craft, which appeared to be not more
than three or four miles out, rising and
falling upon the waves. and driving to-
wards the shore with frightful rapidity
Sir Eaunce took his glass cut of his
pocket, and by its aid deserted her to be
a fishing smack belonging to Penrhyd-
dyn.
Others had seen her also snd in few
moments the two gentlemen were joined
BY several curious watchers, among whom
was Jenkins, the postmaster.
ats Ralph Treyethick's boat he said
at has been out days beyond its time
They must be mad to think of putting in
during such a gale, and the attempt will
cost them their lives. Look at her :
they can no more keep her off the rocks
than they can hold back the waves with
their arms ~
EDWARDS came the frail bark-now
tumbling into gulf, now rising like
cork upon a mountain of water, and dart
inx forward like an arrow before the
blast of the wind.
At last came the crash The boat was
seen to reel, eddy and sink-end then |
three men were battling with the waters
SO excited and pity-stricken was Stafford
with the scene, that had 1t not been for
Sir Launce, he would have cest himself
into the boiling surf in the vain hope of
saving them.
There were some ropes thrown out, but
all three sank The next moment how
ever, one of the bodies rose again, and,
borne by huge wave, was hurled into
kind of natural basin, followed out Of the
yranite flooring of the beach. In en- in
Atant both Sir Launce and Stafford had
plunged knee-deep into the basin, and,
regardless of another great wave that
dashed over them, and threatened to drag
them away to the sea, rescued the body
of the drowning man, and, amidst the
cheers Of the spectators, brought 1t safe
to dry land.
He was Immediately recognized as
Ralph Trevethick, the son of old John
Trevethick He was insensible, and the
blood flowed freely from deep cash in
the head. Sir Launce sent off to Bodmin
for a doctor, and gave orders to those
who took charge of the body to send to
the Castle for anything they might re
ouire In the shape of resteratives or COM
forts for the poor fellow.
While they were sitting over their din
ner a messenger arrived at the Castle
from Ralph Trevethick, who had slightly
rallied, begging Sir Launce TO come down
to him, as he had confession to make
which lay heavy upon his conscience.
, Wrapping himself up, for the evening
was chilly, Sir Launce, accompanied by
Stafford started off on the two miles
walk to Ralph's cottage. s
the bodies of a certain woman and child
had been conveyed some ten years back, !
and upon the same bed upon which they
had lain was stretched the form of the /
dying fisherman.
"I am sorry to see you so Ill, Ralph"
.aid Sir Launce, kindly. "Have you ev- T
srything that you require If not, do not q
fear to ask for 1t, and If it can be got, b
you shall have It" /
Before the nights over I shall want c
nothing but few planks and a few feet
If earth ~ said the fisherman, feebly. e
But thank you all the same, Sir Launce. I
Come closer. I don't want father to hear ?
THAT l have got to say" {
Sir Launce sat down upon the bedside
It the dying mans head, and moistened
lis lips with little brandy.
"Do you remember" began Ralph, In D
IN almost inaudibls voice, "a storm some b
en- years back, when woman and child n
vas washed up and brought to this very o.
OFT Well, you was told they was buried "
n Penrhyddyn churchyard, but no earth r,
overs 'em. Alter you had gone, father t.
ell into one of his mad, wild humors, Of
nd said the sea would take vengeance on Is
ia for rohbinp II Of ire dead-thet tbe | w