The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-07-18

summer fury. He held her close in
his arms, as the first patter of rain
fell, and the lightning gashed great
glittering rents in the low-hanging
sulphurous clouds.
Il must go to Wally!" she ex-
claimed. Let me go. 1 can make
my way alone. Please-please let
me go!"
81 won't. I'll carry you up to the
cottage"
"Oh. but look there" He swung
about as she pointed. Through the
darkening gloom, he saw the knock
about had turned turtle. Devereux
was a good swimmer, he knew. It
would be play to him to beat 1t in on
those waves, but there was no sign
Of him. Dorothy's hand had claspedI
his shoulder in quick grip of dread.
The wind whipped her fair hair about
her face, and she shrank close to
him.
Kenneth has gone down." she
cried. Why don't you do something?
Why on earth do you wait here with
me?"
He smiled down at her grimly. III
get him. dear" he promised.
The next instant she stood there
alone, barely able to keep her footing
against the full fury of the gale that
beat down at her from the sea.
Caxton was racing full tilt down
the landing pier, she saw. The knock
about was drifting in with every
wave, nearer and nearer. There was
no sign of Devereux. Somehow, she
made her way up to the cottage. His
mother was there, kneeling by the
veranda railing, her arms around
Wally, her face hidden on his curls
Already the alarm had spread, and
people were running down from the
hotel and the cottages. She heard
some one say they were putting the
lifeboat out after both Of them
1t seemed lifetime to Dorothy,
standing beside the sobbing, half
fatnttng mother, soothing her, and
quieting Wally. 1t was too dark to
see a hundred yards from the cot
tage. The air seemed filled with
hurting limbs Of trees, and leaves.
Above the roar of the wind she could
catch the shouts of the men, and
finally she knew they were bringing
back the two, Devereux and Caxton,
the life guard. One was unconscious,
they said.
And l sent him." she told herself
over and over.
Then suddenly. leading the line of
men, there tramped up the broad
steps Devereux. drenched to the skin
in his white yachting suit, and think
ing only of his mother.
I'd have gone under If Caxton
hadn't gripped me-" he told them
When she turned turtle l was
caught in the rigging and couldn't
free myself. He dived under and set
me free, and was struck on the head
in rising. Then l brought him in
until the boat met US"
Dorothy's eyes were closed as she
listened. And she had called him a
coward!
That evening after Wally had
slipped away to dreamland, she stole
down the stairs and out into the still
ness Of the night. 1t was beautifully
peaceful and fresh after the storm
The full moon rode high above scat
tered shreds of clouds, and the sea
broke in long. low waves on the
beach below.
CaYtnn and nnUArnV1v 70
gether in the low steamer chairs in
one corner Of the yeranda. Devereu1
rose at her approach.
"Bob's been telling me a lot OF
things Miss Ashton" be said simply.
extending his hand TO her. I'm
sorry I've been such a cub as to even
hope stood any show He's a great
old boy We two were mates at col
lege. He was the greatest captain
New London ever saw at the races,
the finest chap that ever bossed a
crew. | am just going up to mother.
Good night" He leaned over Cax-
tons shoulder and added: And good
luck"
Dorothy was silent. His hand
reached toward her and she slipped
her own into its grasp.
But | called you a coward"
He kissed her more than once be-
fore he answered.
You called me a coward-at this, -
he corrected. LAS l was about to
say when the internal storm broke
will you marry me, Dorothy"