The wageworker., 1909-10-09

Lawrence Daniels Choice
Copyright. by w. @. Chapman.)
BY Andrew Dexter


" blame him. He has a career be-
fore him. If had loved him less. I
would have married him when he
asked me two years ago."
There was one day in the calendar
when all differences of social standing
were forgotten. That was Beetle
Rock day. On that day the great
rock which rose from the middle of
the bay near Adams Ferry was piled
high with driftwood, it was the fu-
neral pyre of the season which was
gone. Lawrence Daniels was master
of ceremonies that year, directing the
| movements of the army of transports
which all day long was busy convey
| ing logs and packing boxes to the
| rock. In the center of the pile were
| trunks of giant trees, placed on end
and held in place by small logs. In
| the midst of all was pocket filled
with light kindling wood, covered
with pitch and tar. This was the
mine from which was to ascend a
tongue of fame.
The night was falling when from
| the point a f1otilla of boats swept
toward the rock. A single boat shot
out from the group and grated upon
the edge of Beetle Rock. A CLEAN of
light shone from beneath the shelter
of cap, then the flame from torch
fared high in the air. Lawrence Dan
iels, his face Illuminated by the jet
of fire above his head, turned to the
crescent of boats and bowed. He
hurled the torch into the center of
the giant tinder box and turned to
go. His foot caught upon root and
he lurched forward. In trying to save
himself he half turned, then fell upon
the rock.
From the top of the pile of timbers
there burst binding flood of light
Beneath it's glare those who sat in
the half circle of boats could see
that a thin stream of blood was
trickling from the right temple of the
man who lay stretched upon the rock.
The pile of timber began to settle. A
blistering heat compelled the specta-
tors to pull back from the nest of
flames. A pine log rolled from the
side of the volcano of wood and fell,
spouting fire within six inches of Dan
iels head.
why don't somebody pull out to
the rock?" yelled voice far back in
the semi-circle.
why don't you do it yourself?'
came the response from half dozen
throats.
A light skiff shot out swiftly from
the landing near the hotel. In it sat
a girl, wrapped in a cloak and rowing
with desperate energy. The glow
from the flaming pyre revealed the
features of Pearl Amboyne. She drew
. her boat steadily toward the PROSTATE
figure. and as the bow grounded
seized the unconscious man with firm
3 hands and dragged him aboard.
wild cheer brust from the spectators
e as the girl bent to her oars and rowet
l. out Of the fire zone to safety.
g Il understand" said the night ed
T. itor of the Clarion to his assistant {
few days later, that Daniels sur
8 prised his friends by marrying Mis-
l. Amboyne quite unexpectedly the othe
l. night. What was it, money match !?
n Not at ALL" rejoined the othe
d man; "they tell me she's just prett!
p working girl. Everyone thought h.
e was in the market for rich marriage
e but this seems to have been sur
Il enough romanctic affair. Miss Am
d boyne saved his life during his vaca
5. tion at Lake Linwood, and he evident
d ly made up his mind to dedicate tn
It balance of it to her."
n HE did right" said the night edit
'r or, emphatically. Its refreshing t
meet with a bit of real romance one
e in awhile in these prosaic days"
IL |