The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-07-28

You think" she scoffed recklessly,
that just because I'm a girl / can't
manage my own boat Why, rounding
these rocks is a perfect game for mel
I've done It lots OF times. or course, l
know the summer people are warned
against IL. But I'm not & summer per-
son at heart. I'm what Capt. Davy
calls a regular salt, and / allow no
mutiny on the part OF my crew. Sing
no, sing ho, for a sailors life, sing no,
sing no, for "a
They both knew what had happened
when the boat Jared from bow to
stern, knew it before the bitter sea
water washed in their faces as they
struggled toward a fiat rock that up
rose from the sea. When they reach
ed it, it was the girl who spoke first.
"Well?' she said gamely, and then,
beneath her breath: IF l had had
sense enough to obey?"
If l had only jerked the tiller from
you! he said, in answer. But neither
OF them spoke what was uppermost in
their minds.
No hope to try for the shore with its
steep cliffs, where the water rolled and
eddled; and the rock on which they
stood was always covered at high tide.
ALREADY the water oozed and gurgled
In.
IF only some one would see u.s."
Whispered the girl, some passing boat
Or The words died in her throat.
ashton was staring at a speck that
showed IN the far distance-Deerhaven
Island. When he spoke all the boyish-
ness was gone from his voice.
Theres only one way, Katherine.
Womb r0fhnr II ct
shall we stay here together?"
I'D rather you tried for IL" she
said bravely, seeing as we'll as he that
there was not a moment to lose
You can watch my coat and shoes
till 1 come back" His voice rang
cheerfully. I'm in splendid practice
Swan couple of miles only the day
before yesterday" He did not add
that Capt Davy had followed with a
dory. Keep up your heart, girll" he
cried, with touch of his old gaiety.
And you" She would have cheer
ed him on, but words failed her.
III remember that it's for you I'm
swimming. The biggest breakers in
the world won't make me forget that"
he waved her goodby, as IL he were
on Tor pleasure jaunt, and she watch
ed him as he struck out squarely.
making every stroke count.
The water Tapped and gurgled about
the rock on which she stood, rising
ever higher. There was something
hungry in the way the little waves
crept up, reaching greedily. She tried
10 think Of other things, to watch for
i sail
Slowly the water rose. II touched
aer ankles, her knees. The lift of
each oncoming wave nearly took her
of her feet.
AT that, new panic seized her. If
she were swept from the rock. what
then? Gropingly and numb with cold
she reached for the long growths of
seaweed with which the rock was
covered. Heightened out they came
almost TO her shoulders. She twisted
ner hands in them and waited.
There came the moment when the
water reached her shoulders, and each
new wave made her shut her eyes and
breathe gaspingly. She had long since
given up hope of rescue. There re-
manned but one thought-that what
ever came she must stay where they
would find her.
AFTER all, drowning was not SO hard.
After the first deep strangling breath
she felt herself slipping into uncon-
seriousness. Snatches of past events,
trivial and vivid, shone before her for
moment; then all merged into the
blackness that closed her round.
When she opened her eyes she met
the anxious gaze of Ashton bending
over her. She wondered dimly if he
belonged TO the old life; and then his
voice, perturbed and human, came to
her as from great distance.
A moment more" he was saving.
and we would have been too late"
Then with a start it all came back
TO her-all that had occurred. Cant.
Davy was sitting in the stern of the
rescuing boat looking both triumphant
and concerned
Guess your aunt will be pretty glad
to have you back" he beamed. AN
so will that senator they say you're
engaged to-"
But I'm not engaged to him." she
protested family. She appealed to
Ashton. Tell him." she commanded
Tell him"
That isn't so, and never will be. -
Katherinei"
You say that as if you thought l
was overweight and speaking wildly.
never was surer of myself in my life
than l am at this minute. Oh, Bobbie,
can't you see that in that hour alone
out there / learned everything, the
nights, the depths, the things that
don't count and the things that do"
For once a Willard has changed her
mind" she whispered.
And Capt. Davy, scanning the hori-
zon with tactful scrutiny, heaved a
sympathetic sigh.
Looks as If we were in for a spell
OF fair weather ahead" he muttered.
Winds turned, clouds are liftin' and
all's Welt"