Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-09-25

ward now. and the homes OF the shore
dwellers faded in the distance. Here
and there stood the solitary houses Of
fishermen: then these. too, became
fewer.
The shore rose to bare rocky head
lands capped with stunted pines
gaunt, Jagged rocks with the water
creaming at their base. Islands rose.
mere specks in the distance. only dis
cernible because OF the surf that play
ed about them or the dwelling or two
that reclaimed them from utter lOneli
ness. The White Lady throbbed and
flew. SO tense, so alive. so seemingly
part Of the elements. that it was
hard to believe her a thing Of wood
and> canvas.
Look OUT" sang Ashton as the boat
came suddenly about. THAT was
pretty close shave"
who sails with me holds life In
fee,' laughed Katherine, intoxicated
with wave and wind and foam.
"There Is such thing as common
sense" quoted Ashton.
But the wine of the sea was in Kath-
crimes blood. She rounded another
fat rock trumphantly.
Careful cautioned Ashton.
Afraid" she taunted. with uplifted
chin. and then laughed as scarlet
Eucsel across his keen young face,
"S..l where you like. I don't care"
he cried.
you think she scoffed recklessly,
''that just because I'm girl l can't
manage my own boat. Why. round
Ing these rocks is a perfect game for
me! I've done 1t lots Of times. OF
course know the summer people are
warned against 1t. But I'm not a sum-
mer person at heart. I'm what Cap
tain Davy calls a regular salt, and |
allow no mutlny on the part Of my
crew. So there! And whoever ac-
cepts my invitation to sail accepts the
risks that accompany it. Sing ho,
sing no, for q sailors life, sing no,
sing ho, for a.
They both knew what had happened
when the boat Jared from bow te
stern. know it before the bitter sea wa
ter dashed in their faces as they strug
gled toward fiat rock that uprose
from the sea. When they reached 1t, II
was the girl who spoke first.
"Well?" she said gamely, and ther
beneath her breath. IF had haG
sense enough to obey
"If had only jerked the tiller from
| you"' he said in answer. But neither
of them spoke what was uppermost II
their minds
No hope to try for the shore, Will
its steep cliffs where the water ROLLED
and eddied, and the rock on which they
stood was always covered at high tide
Already the water oozed and gurgle(
about its crevices. With everyowavt
it rose fraction higher. The tide
was coming in.
"If only some one would see us,
whispered the girl, some passing boa
orr The words died In her throat
The lonely expanse Of water showed
no hopeful sail Ashton was staring
at speck that showed in the far dis
tance-Deerhaven island. When HI
spoke all the boyishness was gone from
his voice.
"There's only one way, Katherine
Would you rather l tried for it, o
shall we stay here together"
I'D rather you tried for It," sh'
said bravely, seeing as well as he tina
there was not moment to lose.
"You can watch my coat and shoe
till | come back" His voice ran>
cheerfully. "I'm in splendid practice
swan a couple Of miles only the da,
before yesterday" He did not adj
that Captain Davy had followed witt
dory. Keep up your heart, girl!
he cried, with a touch of his old gay
ETY..
"And you She would have cheer
ed him on, but words failed her.
"I'll remember that it's for you In
swimming The biggest breakers il
the world won't make me forge
that"
He waved her goodby as If he wer
off for pleasure taunt, and sh