St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-08-19

stream gained momentum and In a
moment was racing with the raging
torrent An immense pile OF drift
wood had struck Il near the middle
and II was gone before Gordon could
realize what had happened. For
second he remained stricken into In
action When the structure had fal-
len from its supports and buoyantly
come to the surface after the first
plunge, he saw the woman still cling
ing to the post She seemed to have
remained on the top side OF the de-
stroyed structure and as yet had not
suffered greatly.
The team was sent flying down a
side road parallel with the stream. In
Ave minutes Gordon was abreast Of
the swiftly floating bridge. He leaned
out and called at the top Of his voice;
Hold fast; I'll get you of somehow"
The woman feebly waved hand to
signify that she had heard him. Tho
team went on at tie speed Of the
wind. Half a mile down stream he
jerked his horses to a sudden stop and
sprang out on the spongy sod. A
hundred yards above the bridge had
become entangled I'm a tree top and
was swinging out Of the main current
toward shore. II paused dizzily In an
eddying circle. Gordon could see the
woman in the same position that she
had at fret occupied. Ho looked
about for material for an improvlsed
raft. Nothing was in sight and he
was about 10 pull of his coat and
swim 20 the rescue whom tho bridge
again swung out and went on.
Gordon sprang back to his vehicle
and followed In pursuit, calling as he
went; Keep up your courage; there
Ia still hopei"
A half mile farther on. the bridge
grounded against an island OF bushes
on n slight elevation. In a moment II
swung shoroward and came 20 n dead
stop. Gordon could see the woman
lying faeo downward across the rough
timbcra. Ho plunged into tho seothlng
waters n hundred yards above with
the determination 10 reach the wreck
age. Iie had givea himself that dis-
tancc IA iecway against being
beaten down by tho current Wadlng
obllquely with tho current he was
soon waist deep. then shoulder deep In
Il tumbling. driftladen waters, Ho
kept his feet with difioulty and was
IN the act OF taking n long breath for
the final plunge when n section OF
board fonoo fioated against him. Ho
graspod II with both hands and braood
himself 20 stop a. II swung In bo-
low him and bobbed lightly In tho less
agitated water. Clinging 10 the raft
with one hand ami holding onto somo
bushes with the othor he looked about.
Ho had hia raft but he lacked means
OF propelling H. Looking up and
down. ho saw n long fonce-atako float.
ing nearer shore.
Ito was within n few yards OF tho
end OF tho bridge and was float.
ing by at an alarming rAto OF speed.
Once more ho thrust tho pole down.
Ills heart almoat stopped for he could
not reach bottom. AZ that instant
thore was a soraping sound at bis feet
and he saw tho top branches OF n
sapling raking by. Dropping the pole
he eiutehed one of the branches and
lying fiat on tho raft no held on with
set teeth. The shock of tho sudden
hands, Gradually the strain slaokened
and the raft swung against tho bridge.
lie shifted his position quickly and
graaped one of tho bridge timbers.
The next moment ho was standing on
the bridge. The raft was pulled up
10 prevent II from washing away.
Gordon then aprang toward the
woman, Poor old soul" he ex.
claimed. STOPPING over her. She wore
sunbonnet. which had become wet
and hung over her face. hiding her
features A faded shoulder shawl had
slipped up about her neck. while a
cheap calico dress elung about her
drenohed form. All this Gordon saw
at glance as he stopped 10 raise
the limp body.
Staggering back with blanehed face.
he cried; MY God. Il is Nelliel"
Al FIRST he fell 10 ehafing her hands
anc calling her name implorlngly.
then springing 90 his feet he ran 20
the buggy for the lap robes. Wrap
ping her In them hs hurried with her
10 the buggy and lifted her In the best
he could. He grasped the lines with
one hand and steadied her with the
other. The heads OF the horses were
turned toward the Stewart homo.
They had not gone a hundred yards
before the girl shuddered and other
wise manifested symptoms OF return
ing consciousness IN response 10 the
lovers agonizing appeals to her 20
speak
"oh. Wallace. can you ever forgive
me7" she whispered when she could
speak "oh. what a foolish. foolish
thing | didl"
He pressed her closer.
Il was going to test your respect for
old age.
Il come out In these poor clothes 10
meet you and | expected somehow 10
find way In the guise OF poor. old
woman 10 test you without being
found out Then the storm came and
was caught IN the bridge"
For moment there was silence.
Then. Gordon asked; Nellie. do you
still doubt mef"
mo" was the faint whisper near
his ear Now. doubt only myself"
urchins trail behind a band. He could
not get rid OF them any more than he