Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-08-27
CHAPTER II.-fContinued., ,

She walked away and leaned on the |
6ulwark on the other side. '.rhe waters |
getting quite deep"
/ followed. There's quite rise of
tide. It's nearly full, and then 1t will
turn-in about an hour, / should say"
She looked at the little chateaine
watch she wore, and gave a cry of dis
may.
But that will be o'clock, and then
dine at the club at that time, and my
aunt will be worried half out of her poor
old head"
"rhey dine too early; they miss the
best part of the day.
She turned trife imperiously to-
wards me. 'Still. that is the hour, and
] must be getting back. What answers
to the problem have your frequent studies
ibrought?'
The hrst is 10 wait until the cause
way is dry" l answered, avoiding her
eyes and looking out to sea.
"But that is out of the question:" she
said, with the faint hint of tapping
foot upon the deck. The touch of au-
thority made me stubborn.
There's a fine view Of the sunset
from here, though not 80 fine as from
the cliff beyond my house. You should
see that some evening when you're not
afraid of missing dinner"
She looked me over while I kept my
face away, and l could feel the struggle
whether resentment or amusement should
have the upper hand. The latter finally
won. "Please help me to get home, Mr..
-" she began.
Felix Selden," l supplied her, though
I'd much rather you stayed here, Miss
-" and l in my turn hung question
Ing.
Barbara Graham" she answered quite
frankly. Then suddenly she laughed, and
was forced to join her. Come, Mr..
Pirate, now that are properly known to
each other, and 1 have thanked you for
your compliment, will you think Of way
to save my poor aunt from nervous pros
-tration? If you will, promise some day
to go without dinner and come to see the
sunset from your cliff"
"It's bargain" said. and strode res
clutely across the deck to the side where
the causeway ran.
But how? What are you doing tc
do?" came In surprised accents from Miss
Graham.
stopped and turned. "You will moi
wait for the tide, and you must not wei
the slippers, so there's only one way
left"
And what Is thatT she asked.
"For me to carry you ashore"
l happened to be looking at her, and
her face went pink of a second, pink
over the brown of the sun.
But" she stammered, II don't thinh
that would do"
"It's the only alternativce," l said
positively.
"Are you sure she said, "that yor
are strong enough?"
looked at her slender figure ant
laughed. II have not lived out of doors
for nothing" l answered. Il could car
ny you from here to the Shifting Shoa
yonder without tiring."
Again came the infectious laugh, ap
parently at the thrill of the adventure
and found it impossible to keep from
joining her.
"But it's time made the boast good,
I answered, aud, leaning towards her
picked her up in my arms, careful tt
keep the little slippers and her skirt
clear of the waves.
"You must put your arms about m!
neck to keep the balance" said, "o
I'll not guarantee the consequences"
sMust II" she said quite demurely, an'
did as | commanded.
Feeling my way cautiously, l startet
to cross the causeway. A false step ant
should have slipped into the deepe
water. SO l went slowly, feeling for saf
footing as / took each step. Once
glanced momentarily at the face whicl
was so close to mine, but Miss Graham
ewes were fixed on the shore ahead, an'
would not look at me.
We reached the sand atsthe foot OF tn
cliff and | put the girl down. She locke,
a her slippers.
"Splendidly done," she said. Not
drop Of water touched me. You're quit
as strong as you said.'
"Remember the cause" l answered.
"But you're frightfully wet," she oh
iected. looking at my heavy riding breech
es and leggings, which were soake
through "You must run back to the cot
tage as fast as you can, to save yoursel
a cold"
.T must see you to the club first,"
answered. II know short cut back o
the cliff and through the woods"
"Hurry, then," she said. "I'll no
have you catching cold on my account.
We scrambled up the headland an
struck into the pine woods, I leading, sh
following close behind. We went alon
at dog trot, and, although I ofte
stopped to insure against her firing,
: found that she was a strong runner an
wanted no rest. At last we came to
clearing just this side Of the club er
trance.
"I'll say good-by here" she said, IAN
spars you the sight Of civilization thu