Middletown transcript., 1908-10-31
IcoSrIsuED FROM LAST WEEK.

sively. Her lips tremofSu WIZ
words that were never uttered
oh, look, such d queer, funny
fing, Baby Barron's clean baby
ish treble broke in as she pointed
seaward.
That small, forgotten person
age had at first watched the scene
with deeply observant gravity
as if she would learn the mean
ing. But the matter had evi'
IDENTIFY proved beyond her powers
of solution, for she soon turned
her glance seward TO watch q
coasting steamship humping its
smoky way westward to the deer
sheltered Firth, over whose mar
row rocky entrance the twin Su-
tors keep watch and ward.
Far away to the northward,
beyond the vessel, the horizon
had suddenly crinkled and dark
ened. The sombreness grew and
spread swiftly all along the rocky
coast line. A white tossing line
broke before it, and in a moment
the shore was blotted out. With
incredible swiftness the wind
squall swept down upon the boat.
Even as Jack Ethan sprang to
his feet at Baby Barron's shrill
cry 10 clutch at the tiller it struck
the boat as with IA giant hand,
flinging sheer out its occupants.
Then, half buried in the trough
of the suddenly risen sea, the
overturned "cobble " surged
slowly shoreward.
When he rose to the surface
and had brushed the water from
his eyes Jack Ethan saw that
the Firth had almost regained its
former calm. The squall had
swept away shoreward, scarce a
mile distant, leaving only on the
surface of the water the upturned
boat to tell of its swift, sudden
passage. His eyes searched
eagerly the slow heaving swell.
A sea drenched golden head rose
all at once a little to his right
He reached out, caught and drew
it to him, ere it went down the
second time.
Hold fast there, little one, he
said gently, putting Baby Bar
ron's arms around his neck.
Stick tight and don't be afraid.
An instant later, between him
and the upturned cobble Leslie
Maynard's face rose above the
surface, her long, wet hair
wrapped about her in clinging
strands. With half d dozen
quick, powerful strokes, he was
beside her.
Thank God, you are safe, dear,
he murmured, supporting her,
treading water the while. Can
you swim, Leslie
A little only, she returned, try.
ing bravely to smile.
Then lay your hand on my
shoulder-sO. Once on the top
of the boat they must see US soon
from the shore. :. All,
that's better, now, he said, a min
ute later, as they gained the mar.
row ridge of keel. They'll have
US soon; it's only wetting, after
all, and we don't mind that, do
we, Baby Barron He talked on
to relieve the tension, looking
down at the pathetic little figure
on his knee.
All at once the smile left his
eyes. He stared again from the
rounded rise of the "cobble" to
the surface of the water. Yes;
there was no room left for doubt
the boat was sinking under
their united weight, inch by inch,
lower and lower Would it bear
them up till the expected rescue
came? was the quick thought that
flashed through his mind. AS
he glanced up their eyes met,
and in his look Leslie Maynard
read something of the truth.
For long moment they regarded
each other silently. She was the
first to speak.
The boat is sinking, is it not =?
she said in a low, strangely calm
tone. He could only nod in re-
ply.
You will take Baby Barron, will
you not, dear, and bring her safe
home? She is all that is left to
her mother. She put up her
hand to his cheek with loving
gesture and looked back into his
eyes.
l cannot-I cannot leave you
thus, Leslie, he muttered hoarse.
ly. Perhaps-perhaps they may
yet see us.in time, his eyes strain
ing shoreward.
Don't, dear, she said, quietly;
don't try to pretend-no' about
L.