The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-09-02

myself without help from no man.!
"Well, ma am, If you should change
your mind, Miss Susie, you can send
Swanson over to my place and let me
know, and III git here so quick you'll
think I've been setting by the gate ali
the time, but I'm likely to be to home
messin' around the kitche T." returned
Mr.. Loring gloomily as a Whit of
warm berry pie came temptingly
through the front door. ,....l
Again there was silence behind the
morning glories.
Mr.. Lorlngs manner changed to one
Of grave anxiety. You heard what
said, Miss Susie?' "
81 heard" snapped Miss Susie.
.sWhel change my mind III not send
Swanson. I'll come right over myself
and tell you"
II amt lookin' for no miracles in
these days." retorted Mr.. Loring good
naturedly. Then his voice became Sc
rious.' Il hope you're keepin' watch
on the river, Miss Susie. Last year
your brother pretty near got foated
of. and 1t wasn't anything to what 1t
is now. It's rained for nearly g week
up in Harpers, and If that bridge goes
we'll your house and crop III 60 too"
"I'm not afraid so long as We dc1t
get any rain here" returned Miss Su-
sic comfortably.
"You better make that lazy Swece
keep an eye on the river, and II 1t
rises any more I'll come over and help
you. Well, l must be movin' along.
Afternoon, Miss Susie"
Afternoon" returned the lady be-
hind the morning glories.
Miss Susie strained her eyes for a
backward wave Of Pete Loring's hand
when he reached the corner Of the last
field, but his head was turned toward
the river, whose yellow current was
gradually rising to the level of the
steep banks. Once or twice he glanced
back at the low browed house lying so
near the bank and felt some degree
of relief in the recollection that his
own comfortable dwelling was perched
on knoll above highest water mark
and must necessarily be a place OF
refuge for his less fortunate neighbors.
Six months previous Miss Susie had
come from her eastern home to live
with her widowed brother. but scarce
,ly three months had passed before he
had succumbed to an attack Of hear,
disease and thus had left Miss Susie
mistress of the hundred acre farm and
the well meaning but sluggish Swan.
son and his capable wife, Selma
Comely, dark eyed Miss Susan had moi
lacked for advice and vigorous assist
ance in managing the farm, for she
found kindly neighbors all about her
and Pete Loring had been her chief
adviser in caring for the crops that
had been planted by the energetic
brother. but Pete had spoiled all things
by desiring Miss Susie to change her
quarters and become the mistress OF
the Loring home. and his quiet per-
sistence had vexed the usually ami!
able little woman to the point Of an
tagcnism.
"He might know I couldn't make up
my mind all of sudden after being
single for forty-five years" she MUIR
INJURED as she watched him ride out of
sight. She thought Of the miles of
whispering grain fields that divided
her farm from Pete Loring's place.
and her face grew somewhat anxious.
IN the northern counties rain had
fallen abundantly but in Painted Rock
the crops were slowly crisping in the
merciless heat. and now this swelling
tributary of the Missouri, fed by the
copious rains at its source. threatened
complete annihilation Of the harvest.
With a little sigh and sense Of
guilt Miss Susie responded to Selma's
call to dinner AS she ate Of the
toothsome viands and tasted the de-
licious berry pie she thought of the
hungry little Lorings' dining on mush
and milk They were lovable chill
dren, helpful, obedient little things,
and it was too bad that they were
motherless: there was only the busy,
kindly father and the drinking. igno-
rant old Indian woman, Mahona, to
care for them.
"Take one Of these pies and q pail
full of the dinner over to Mr.. Lorins's.
Swanson" she said. going around to
rho Kitchen door after dinner. and it
was with some relief that she watch
ed the slouching figure Of the Swede
riding down the road, large basket
swinging from one hand.
1t was long after midnight when
Miss Susie awoke to the drip Of rain
on the roof and the soft rush OF wa
ter outside her window. There was
sickening motion to her bed, and
she was conscious that the furniture
in the room was creaking and stirring
ominously.
She called Swanson desperately.
There was no response, but she
thought she heard a faint cry from
outside. 1t came from above.
1.-The roof" she said dazedly. "He
is up there! Why, the house is afloat!"
The floor slanted perilously as she
slipped to the edge Of the bed and
tried to stand upon her feet. Some
how she managed to strike a match
md light q candle by her side. The