Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-28
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Queens Room.

To Stephen all that now happened
seemed like dream. From the edge OF
the cliff she could see well; the fame OF
the bonfire glittered wide over the sea-
She saw Hector and his gallant young
master go in the direction OF the swim
mer. who was drifting in toward the
sunken rocks. Then she saw the swim
mer's head sink under the water and her
heart grew cold. cold. Was this to be the
end. Was such a brave man to be lost
after such gallant effort. and just at the
moment when help was at hand,
The few seconds seemed ages Instinc-
lively she shut her eyes and prayed-her
earnest prayer seeming to echo in the
shrieking gale:
"Oh. God. Give me this mans life that
I may atohe,'
God seemed to have heard her prayer.
Nay more. He had mercifully allowed
her to be the means of averting great
danger She would never. could never
forget the look on the mans face when
he saw. by he flame that she had kim
died. ahead of him the danger from the
sunken rocks. She had exulted at the
thought. And now go!
She was recalled by a wild cheer beside
her. Opening her eyes she saw that the
mans head had arisen again from the
water. He was swimming furiously. this
time seward. But close at hand were
the heads of The swimming horse and
man. She saw the young squire seize
the man. 80
And then the rush OF her tears blinded
her. When she could see. the horse had
turned and was making back aeain TO the
shelf OF the point The squire had his
arm stretched across the horses back he
was holding up the sailors head. which
seemed TO rcll helplessy with every mo-
she thought he was dead. but the voice OF
the old spectioner treasured her:
He was just in time. The poor chap
was done.' And so with b,ating heart
and eyes that did no. finch now she
watched the slow progress to the shelter
of the point. The coast guards and fish,
ermen bad made up their minds where
the landing could be m ade. and were
ready: on the rocky shelf. whence Hector
bad jumped. they stood by with lines
When the squire had steered and encour-
aged the horse. whose snorting could be
heard from the sheltered water, till he
was just below the rocks they lowered a
noosed rope. This he fastened round the
senselsss man below his shoulders. One
strong. careful pull. and he was safe on
land. and very soon he was being borne
up the steep zigzag on the shoulders OF
the willing crowd.
In the meantime other ropes were
passed down to the squire. One he placed
round his own waist; two others ne fss-
tened one on each side of the horses
girth. Then his friend lowered the bridle
and he managed to put It on the horse
and attached rope to 1t. The fisher
men took the lines. and. paying out as
they went SO as to leave plenty OF slack
line. got on the rocks just above the little
beach wherein. sheltered though II was,
the seas broke heavily. There they
waited. ready to pull the horse through
the surf when he should have come close
enough.
Stephen did not see the rescue OF the
horse. for just then TALL grave man
spoke to her: 's7,-
Pardon me. Lady de Lannoy but il
the man TO be brought up TO the castlee
1 am told you have given orders that all
the rescued shall be taken there She
answered. unhesitatingly:
Certainly, I gave orders before COM
ing cut that preparation was to be made
for them"
Il am Mr. Hilton. I am staying with
DR.. Winter at Lannoch Pert. I rode over
on hearing there was a wr,ck and fol-
lowed the rocket cart. l shall take charge
of the man and bring him up. He will
doubtless want some special care"
IF you will be so good.' she answered.
At that moment the crowd carrying the
senseless man began to appear over the
cliff. coming up the zigZag. The doctor
hurried toward him: she followed. but at
a little distance. fearing lest she should
hamper him. Under his orders they laid
the patient on the weather side OF the
bonfire. that the smoke would not
reach him. The doctor knelt by his side.
An instant after he locked up and said
He is alive: his heart is beating.
He had better be taken away at once.
There is no means here OF shelter
Bring him in the rocket cart: IL 10 the
only conveyance here" cried Stephen.
And bring Mr.. Hepburn. too. He. also.
will need some care after his gallant serv-
ice. | shall ride and advise my house.
hold Of your coming. And you good peo-
pie come all to the castle. You are to be
my guests. IL you will SO honor me. No!
No. Really / should prefer to ride
alone.'' She said this impulsively. seeing
that several of the gentlemen were run
ming for their horses to accompany her.
y shall not wait to thank that valiant
young gentleman. l shall see him at
Lannoy''
AS she was speaking she had taken the
bride off her horse. One of the young
men stopped and held his hand; she
bowed. put her foot in IL and sprang TO
the saddle. In an instant she was flying
across country at full speed. in the dark.
A wild mood was on her. the reaction
from the prolonged agony of apprehen.
sion. The gale whis:led round her. ana
now and again she shouted with pure
joy. 1t seemed as II God himself had
answered her PRAYER and given her the
returning life! The fervor of her joy
was so all-embracing that she felt as II
some at least of the bitter past had been
wiped out.
BY the time she had reached the castle
the wild ride had done its soothing work.
her wits and feelings were her own.
There plenty to keep her occupied.
mind and body, thence on. The train OF
persons saved from the wreck were arriv-
ing and clothes had to be found for them.
as well as food and shelter. She felt as
though the world were not wide enough
for the welcome which she wished to ex-
tend. Its exercise was a sort of reward
of her exertions: thank offering for the
response to her prayer. She moved
among her guests forgetful of herself:
of her strange attire. The strangers
wondered at first. TIL they came to under
stand that she Gas the Lady BountifuI
who had stretched her helpful hands to
them. The whole castle was lit from
cellar to tower. and hummne like hive.
In the general disposition OF rooms e.
phen ordered to be set apart for the res
cued swimmer the royal chamber where
Queen Elizabe had lain. She had a sort
of idea that the stranger was Gcds
guest who was coming TO Der house. and
that thing could be too good for him.
Some great weight seemed to have been
removed from her. Her soul" was free
again.
At last the rocket cart arrived. coming
with a mighty stress of cracking whips
and clash and clatter of shifting wheels.
of jinglng chains and shouting voices.
and vast following of men. women and
children.
ITO be continued next Sunday