The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-24

eddy WnlrleQ the Dodt a1ouAu'
tipped, and with gurgling shrek
Bessie disappeared beneath the wa
tiers forty feet distant, but near to the
edge Of the island.
The fierce, strong current banded
Rodney about as he made q direct
plunge. 1t was a wild, desperate tight
with the battling waves. How he made
it he never knew, but he caught at .
limp body swayed along by the under
tow, dragged Bessie ashore and sat
down beside her. breathless, exhaust
ed.
What woeful sight she was-ail
the daintiness Of the witchery OF lace
and Jewels and form and features be-
draggled, the fair hands cold as ice as
he chafed them. He trembled with
direful agony until he felt the faint.
fluttering pulse. Then he could do no
more save watch and wait, gazing
down. at the white face so dear to him,
the moonlight flooding the scene with
cold, steely brilliancy that seemed
| ominous.
At length Bessie stirred, There was
a faint moan, she sat up, shuddered
and met his gaze.
"You!" she voiced in hollow accents
and his clinging garments told her
intuitively how she had been saved.
Then she turned her face away.
Strange juncture-to be here, isolated,
with the man she had rejected!
He read her thoughts. He noted her
lashes fall in humbled pride, In
shame. He realized that her escort
must have acted the towards part, he
recalled her mother, with a weak
heart, unable to stand any shock.
Rodney arose to his feet.
Miss Thurston,' he said quietly,
I'VE must lose no time. Your mother
and your friends-you will not have
to stay here for long"
Come back" 1t was wild. plead
ing shrek, a call of anguish, Of love,
as she saw him plunge into the flood,
as life and death fought a desperate
battle within her sight. But he
reached the shore, though nearly
stunned and his head bruised and
bleeding at contact with rock, and
staggered away out of sight.
She sat moaning, her head buried in
her hands, as slow hour went by.
Then a shout from the shore from the
midst Of friends-a weighted rope cast
across the chasm. A strong boatman
clasped her and carried her thus to
the mainland. Bessie in one swift
glance swept the group. Rodney was
not there.
my dear Bessie" for the first time
began Gould, Fastening to her side.
She turned to him. her eyes blazing
contempt.
Il despise you!" she cried out. "Oh,
If anything has happened to him I
shall hate you'll"
Her sister put her arm around her
and whispered in her ear:
HE is safe, dear. Only slight
hurt. and the shock, and"
Take me to him!" cried Bessie.
"You are deceiving me. Oh, my hero!
my love! If you should die, then l
shall die, too"
She would have her willful way.
When they reached home they pointed
to the library room, where Rodney lay
upon a couch, his head bandaged, pale,
weak, but not seriously injured. She
knelt at his side, with no thought Of
her bedraggled attire.
Last week." she choked out, and
burst into a sob-"I did not know my
own mind, but, OH tonight"
She pillowed her lips upon his cheek.
Her arms stole around him-oh, so
pitifully!-as she whispered words Of
love.
Never mind the yesterdays" he
said, with a smile of ineffable peace.
Forget everything except the golden
Tomorrow"
Copyright, 1915, by W. g. Chapman.)