The Washington herald., 1911-09-10
Jet, the Heroine
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOUR

furious below; the light and shade. all blend
ed into picturesque whole; and in the
foreground the group Of trembling, white
faced girls; the boat, with its helpless pas
senGer, and the girl kneeling on the narrow
footway, where one msstep would send her
to certain death--her slender strength all that
stood between the child and fearful DOOM
We could hear her calling to Vernie as
chcerily as though safe at home, though even
from where | stood I could see her face was
white as marble
The bow Of the boat was almost under the
footway.
Stand up!" Jet cried.
And, as Nerne rose unsteadily, she reach
ed down, grasped and held him firmly by the
wrists while, in the same second the boat
went on and was dashed to pieces on the
rocks below.
But the danger was far from over yet.
Perhaps Jets strength would not hold out,
or NCrnie's weight might drag her down, too.
1--WE must go and help her." | said; "she
can't lift him up!" and was starting to try to
go to her, but just then man came running
down the hill, and in a moment was making
his way out on the planks to them.
AT the same instant, boat, containing faith
or, Crcle Frank and one or two others. came
shooting down as fDr strong arms could send
it.
By the time they reached us the man had
lifted Nernie up and brought both him and
Jet safely to u.s.
That was the coolest thing I ever saw
DONE" he declared, as he delivered VERNE
into his 'ather's arms. How came you TO
think of it, girl?"
81 saw it in my mind. But, oh. if the bridge
had been two inches higher, couldn't have
reached HIM"
There was no more picnic for us that day.
AS socn as the boys came. we started home.
Father told us how they had missed YER
ME, who had stoutly rebeled at being left at
home that morning, and had finally traced
him 10 the river.
Finding the Meteor, which Tor some reason
had not been put in the boat house that day,
WIS missing, they were afraid it had in some
way got loose and toated of with him. SO,
leaving others to search around home, they
started in pursuit OF the runaway skif.
But we should have been too late had it
not been for your quick thought and bravery,
my dear child" he finished, laying his hand
on Jets head.
Poor Jet! She was faint and weak from
the awful strain. both physical and mental,
that she had endured, and crouched in the
bottom of the boat, with her head in my lap,
all the way home.
You can imagine our reception when we
reached home, especially if any one dear to
you has ever been given back from the very
jaws OF death.
II shall adopt that girl as my own dauph.
ter" announced Aunt Cornclia that evening.
Her voice is lovely, and she shall have the
best musical education money can buy"
But from this plan-the first part Of 1t, at
Icast-Jet reCoiled in terror, and begged so
hard to be allowed to stay with us that aunt
and uncle finally gave up that part of the
anyway, ] am sure; but they have insisted
upon the educational part of It.
Nernlc is big boy now. He still thinks
opinion. '-'' '''7
Perhaps some day you will see her. If you
60 to concert, and young lady with A
merry wInsome face and great dark eyes
forget yourself and everything else exccnt
ITS own pure sweetness, you may know that