The Huttig news., 1911-04-08


 her cariously
 Miss Prents been telling you about Steve Empton?' she queried She's pretty ooleful at times You see, she and Steve set everything by each other and
 II guess I'd better go upstairs Mrs. Clates, and get on something thicker Miss Ritchdon interrupted Its growing rather cool"
 We'll maybe you had" returned Mrs Clates, with a hint of vexation in her ,one
 The wind steadily increased during the afternon and by supper time 1t was blowing a stiff gale.
 Faint often We have harder blow than this, even in winter" re- marked Capt. Clates. Guess you'd better not go out for supper. Miss Ritchdon-you might blow away: sup per's all ready, we have it at half after five, summer n winter. Seems like the middle of the afternoon. this time of year.
 Miss Ritehdon. nothing loath. took seat at the hcspitable table, shivering little at every howl of the wind as it rattled the windows on the eastward side
 It's dry storm" went on the cap tain. and his voice had a suggestion of the quarter deck "There'll be some wrecks before tomorrow morning if this wind holds, and there aint no sign of it's dropping. Scott!" he ex- claimed, as the door burst open and the wind sent the Harmerston Weekly flying about the room. Bear hand lively, rersis. And you Miss Ritch- don. cafch hold and shove! We've got to get the door to or the winders will blow out. and then where1l we be?'
 There came a moments lull and the three pushed the door shut, while Capt Clates hurriedly showed a heavy chest against 1t and wiped his fore head. Don't recoilect that ever hap Dened before-and summer. tool" he exclaimed. Guess folks will stay in doors tonight" He stopped and seemed to listen. "Hark!" he whis. pered. Tn bells ringing on the life saving station There's vessel in dis tress-maybe it's a wreck.
 Miss Ritehdon sprang to her feet oh cant sit herel" she cried Cant go ont--out where can see for myself?"
 The captain regarded her with dis favor. Well. I don't see why any sen sible girl" he began, protestingly. but L Ls Er-well. if you're set on it, Miss Ritehdon, I spose can manage it. but it'll be pretty hard beat to wind ard. You get into your sweater-a shawl's no good-a hat? My. all the hatpins you could stick in wouldn't hold it onl Put on hood and tie it tight, too. We'll go out the back door,"
 The fwo struggled down to a bluff commanding the harbor. buffeted by the wind that tugged at Miss Ritch dons skirts, as if seeking to hold hel back The sea was pounding on the rocks below them, and it's foam flew high, smiting them with sudden on. slaught of spray. at every fiercer gust.
 Capt. CIates drew the girl behind a projecting shoulder of rock. That's s mite Letter" he panted. Where's s the boat2" he inquired of bystander
 There she is-just outside, a big schooner-yacht."
 Capt Clates shook his head. Shell never make it in this gale, Jack, she can't clear the point"
 ..C ri1 fafn ra- joined Jack Somers. deferentially
 hoarse shout came from the shingly beach below them as the life saving crew made it's appearance dragging mortar into position, while a crowd O. hardy sailors, more burly han ever in their sou westers and cork belts, showed the lifeboat into a welter of foam, scrambling aboard at he last moment to send their boat seaward with mighty oar strokes.
 Any notion whose yacht It is?" quericd Capt. Clates.
 They say It's that fellcr's who went off on cruise two weeks back name 's Kenton." Somers responded
 "Aht lola Ritcbdon's voice went out in sharp cry. "Geoffrsy KentoE was my friend--my lovcr-''
 My pity and giief," muttered Capt Hates. turing toward the girl who covered by his side
 Somers gave sudden shout of con 4ternation. Whats that blamed idiot I'D to. anyway? 2" be cried excitedly He couldn't beat to wird'ard long ,nough on the old tack to make the .hannel, and now he's fell off and a-running before the wind into shoal water,"
 Miss Ritchdon felt hand laid gen ly upon her shoulder and, looking up, she saw Rosetta Prents face, no longer anxious. with wandering gaze, | but calm and confident.
 Don't be afraid, deary." The voice was full, sweet and compelling. It's l Steve that's steering that yacht. He was the only one in the whole fleet that knew the harbor well enough to dare to take his schooner through 1 Half Tide Cut, where that yacht is coming in. Steye's a-coming home to | me-"