The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-22

You sit with the lass" said Dowsett. I'll go into the lumber room. and keep an eye on the creek and the old wall. I'll hang lantern or two outside, and, as they say In papers, report progress.
 He spoke lightly. but, as he entered the other bedroom and closed the door behind him, his heart was heavy in- deed. He knew that if the wall gave and there was yet another hour of flood to run-nothing on earth could save them. The house, and all in it. would be swept into one roaring, pltiless sea of destruction. He threaded his way carefully through the piles of furnit- ure. and, reaching the window, opened it. He could sec nothing within tne light of the lamp he held in his hand but mist of spray. caught up oy the wind and hurled into his face.
 When he had left Laura's bed room his wife shaded the lamp so that us light should not, fall on the eyes or the siee.,ns girl and then sat down by the haaside and commenced to darn some socks. Her dull white face, thrown IT. to relief by the lamp against pach- ground of darkness. looked as though if had been cut out of stone by some barbaric workman. 1t was ngiy anu notionless. and absolutely without ex- pression. But the eyes were hxeu on a ragged sock. and the busy ringers moved lunceasingly. One Of the pies sings granted to those who i've their inonotonous lives without impauehee or intelligence, is that they can pursue their ordinary avocations in a crisis which would reduce more sensitive na- tures to the verge of prostration. At any moment the sea wall might giVe way and Mrs Dowsett would pc forced to struggle vainly with death. Rnt she continued to darn, as though everything depended on the result or her labors. .
 'The noise of the sea on the wall in- creased as the tide rose and began ~ pour over the top in a continuous aract The spray beat against the g1ass with such violence that the win dow rattled in it's frame. In room underneath, Mrs. Dowsett could near the swish and swirl of the water, as though the floor had been converted into an inland sea.
 Then there was a loud crash. and blast of air rushing up the staircase, told it's own story. The front door had given way. Mrs. Dowsett rose to her feet, and. opening the door leading to the other bedroom. called out to her husband.
 Doors gone" she said quickly. You'd best go down and have look"
 Iris just as well she's gone," he re- piled. '"Twill let the water through. Iris sluicing against the house like a river reckon banks gone lower down; but it takes deal of water to flood eight hundred acres. 'Tain't moren a foot deep outside. There's a boat a-cornin' up the Darkwater. I see her starboard light just now"
 Mrs. Dowsett closed the door and re- turned to the bedside. As she resumed her seat Laura gave a deep sigh and opened her eyes.
 Where am F" she whispered faint ly, as she stared round the unfamiliar room.
 "You'm all right. dearie," said Mrs. Dowsett, smoothing down the pillow with gentle hand. "You'm at Dow sett's farm, as safe and quiet as you'd be anywhere in the world"
 "Why?" she murmured. Why? Oh, I remember T must have tainted. How silly of mel
 Flush dearie. Don't Zee talk. Just you lie quiet. You've been i'll. but 'tis all right now. You've just got to lie quiet"
 Where is MT. shil?" Lasra asked in a Deevish voice.
 He's been here and looked after you miss! Hem gone now for a bit of rest, but he'll be back in the mornin'. And when he come. he'll like to find you fresh and well. so don't worry your head. miss. with thinking bout any. thing"
 ''ThinkingT' Laura murmured wear fly. "Oh. if could only forget: if could onLv forgetl'' A sudden blast of wind shook the house like an earthquake. and a mass | of water. whirled from the top of a l wave, crashed against the window, and 1 shivered the glass into fifty pieces. A | drop Of spray touched Laura's cheek | and she shivered. What has happened?" she moaned | What is it? am frightened"
 '"Tis nothing Mrs. Dowsett re- piled with a mirthless laugh. '"Tis