Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-06-14
CHAPTER XIV.

on account OF the important communlca-
tion which it had contained, of which he
repeated the substance, and, as far as 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 prior attachment,
and, having thrown herself Upon his gen
erosity, he had at once withdrawn his
own pretensions.
Despite the vital interest thus imper-
illed, 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 to
Stafford the news-which was no news to
him-of Arthur's rupture with the Grier-
sons, and the relief he felt at being thus
secured from any further vistations from
Mr.. Wyle.
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
rapidity.
About a week after his arrival, how
ever, circumstance occurred which cast
gloom over Penrhyddyn and all Its
IT. .hA,, La y, Il
just begun to rage with great ferceness,
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 Launce took his glass out of his
pocket, and by its aid deserted her to be
a fishing smack belonging to Penrhyd-
dyn.
Others had seen her also; and In few
moments the two gentlemen were Joined
by several curious watchers, among whom
was Jenkins, the postmaster.
"It's Ralph Trevethick's boat" he said /;
ut 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 J
they can no more keep her off the rocks
than they can hold back the waves with
their arms "
Onwards came the frail> bark-now
tumbing into a gulf, now rising like g
cork upon a mountain of water, and dart
ing forward like an arrow before the
blast Of the wind.
At last came the crash The boat was
seen to reel, eddy and sink-and ther
three men were battling with the waters
So excited and pity-stricken was Stafford
with the scene, that had 1t not been fol
Sir Launce he would have cest himsel
into the boiling surf in the vain hope O.
saving them.
There were some ropes thrown out, bu
all three sank. The next moment, how
ever, one of the bodies rose again, and
borne by a huge wave, was hurled into {
kind of natural basin, followed out of tn
granite flooring of the beach. In an in
stant both Sir Launce and Stafford ha'
plunged knee-deep into the basin, and
regardless Of another great wave tina
dashed over them and threatened to dra
them away to the sea, rescued the bod,
of the drowning man, and, amidst tn
cheers Of the spectators, brought 1t SAT
to dry land.
He was Immediately recognized a
Ralph Trevethick, the son Of old Johl
Trevethick. He was insensible, and tn
blood flowed freely from deep cash Il
the head. Sir Launce sent off to Bodmil
for doctor, and gave orders to thos
who took charge of the body to send t
the Castle for anything they might re
quire in the shape of restoratives or com
: forts for the poor fellow.
While they were sitting over their din
ner a messenger arrived at the Castl
from Ralph Trevethick, who had slight
rallied, begging Sir Launce TO come dow
to him, as he had a confession to max
which lay heavy upon his conscience.
Wrapping himself up, for the evenin
was chilly, Sir Launce, accompanied b
Stafford, started off on the two miles
= walk to Ralph's cottage.
1t was the same habitation to whic
the bodies of a certain woman and chill
had been conveyed some ten years bacl
and upon the same bed upon which the
had lain was stretched the form Of tn
dying fisherman.
II am sorry to see you SO Ill, Ralph,
said Sir Launce, kindly. "Have you e,
erything that you require; II not, do nc
fear to ask for it, and IL it can be 60
you shall have It,"
Before the nights over / shall war