The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-11
TIM FARRELL'S FEAR

The clouds that had broken away
sornewhat during the day thickened
again. with the approach Of night
the dreaie 3attor Of rain on the roof
began. Tho water crspt up inside the
dixie. The pools sweiled and Joined.
BY 10 o'clock the fields and even the
streets OF the little settlement were
covered. The dixie, however, still held.
At IL the superintendent and the
men splashed back from up the river.
The supply Of sandbaxs was exhaust
"a and the dixie was wearing away
rapidly at the bend. II could not
last more than an hour. They we're
beaten. Two shots In rapid success
sion called the people from their
homes to the knoll on which the COM
pany store stood.
they were hastily apportioned
among the boats.
Two men and four women and
children to each scow," said the su-
psrintendent, calm and forceful
among the hubbub OF pale-faced
adults and weeping little ones. Bet
ter get started. There's more than
eighteen inches OF water over the
fields now--enough to float you. Bear
away to the west to Granger Village.
It's only three miles. I've telephoned
over, and you'll get shelter. Hurry
over our heads in jiffy.'
The boats were launched without
mishap and streamed or in long
procession. q lantern cleaning brave.
~ In the bow OF each. The euperin-
tendent and few men stayed behind
to liberate the live stock and head 1t
toward safety.
II was then that CASTOR Marceiie
beat his breast and cried aloud: Il
st 49, T. ~
the house. She's there alone. I was
coming with q boat, and forgot"
A grinding roar from behind struck
terror TO their hearts. The dixie at
the bend had broken, Marcsiie's lit
tie home. quarter OF mile to the
north. was in tho path OF the onrush-
ing torrent.
Tim Farrell looked at Marcelle, and
saw that the palsy Of feeble and
frightened old age was upon him. He
glanced al Gam lie Blanc; but Le
Bianc's face was pasty In the lantern
light. ana his hands trembled.
Farrell spoke in q vibrant voice.
1T you get away now and row hard
to the west, You can make It. The
fun force OF the Hood will swing In
here. and not farther out. I'll go
down after Toinette.''
GOOD" said the superintendent.
tersely. Two TO q boat. and row
for your iivesl You're going with
Tim. lie Blance''
The roar up the river increased
in volume until the knoll on which
they were standing seemed to CULVER
In sympathy. LIE Blanc's teeth chat
tered. "N--no." he stammered,
there's no use OF my going"
You coward" said the superinteu
dent. dispassionateiy. you dirty coN
ard
Tim rode away on the crest OF Il
| Hood. Narcotics house was rocksI
when his boat swept against H. To
nette was In an upper window: II
steady light of the lamp which sf
held had guided him.
with a word OF encouragement Il
| drew the frightened girl into the boa
| and showed clear with an oar. For
I moment the little craft tossed Wild
~ they passed through a breach I
theu(iike which opened under the tel
rife impact OF the waters. Then I'll
| danger was over and they fed peac'
fully on the bosom OF the swift-rur
ming river. The Marceiie home Ia
collapsed like a HOUSE of cards, an
| its wreekaGe fioAted all about them.
| For. 4 while Toinette crouche
| trembling In the bottom Of the beat
Then she looked Mt him. When sb
spoke there was 4 note In her vols
Tim had never heard there before.
Il knew you would come, Tim
you. and nobody else. Fer your
not a coward. and you never wert
Can you forgive me for--for this at
| ternoon
| oh, that's all right" replied tn,
cheerful Tam. II am afraid Of snake
| awful afraid. But say. Toinetts.
don't know where we're going TO stoJ
We May acaa ctear 70 saginaw. Thu
whole country's under water"
The girl sighed conteutedly. Wei
don't mind. II isn't cold. And you'l
| take care Of me-"
Tim thrilled 1t the tone as murl
as at the words. He looked abou'
Ehim. over the yellow waste OF waters
! lighted by hts lantern and by the fni
moon which tried braveiy to shin.
| through the thinning clouds. Coos
| old hood" he said ferventiy.
And Tofnefta must have Kinder
! stood: for she smilsd--snd binshed