Norwich bulletin., 1913-09-23

1 imbued me with a very wholesome re- spect for their kind l 'T didn't think you were the sort of man to be afraid of cloud she l said impatientIy, especially one that probably will not come within miles l of here.'
 'I'm afraid to start out with you when that fellow is poking up his ugly head said he And And ., whats more' | "Oh. let's risk it." she said. "Fll 1 take the consequences. That lifts the responsibility off your shoulders" We'll wait a bit.' said he. T believe you're afraid on your own account" she taunted. Very possibly" he said quietly, The girl bit her lips. She slid from the rail and came close beside him. "You're-a coward" she said with slow distinctiveness.
 The young man did not lift his eyes. She saw the blood rush into his face and his jaw set grimly. Perhaps" he said with strange gentleness.
 The girl stood quite still for mo- ment with flashing eyes and little hands tightly cIenched.
 You are" she said: you are!"
 She stepped across the pier and be- gan to unite the painter of the canoe.
 Don't do that" he said, sharply, sprfnging up. But before he could re-
 
 clear of the pier She turned to wave the paddle defantly.
 I'm going down to the island" she called I'll tell them I left you here waiting for cloud to pass over. Adieu, Sir Caution!"
 Little fool!" he growled, and hur- rying across the pier, he united the sailboat, stepped in and pushed off
 There was not enough breeze to give him headway. The boat drtfted idly with Tapping sail Far away he heard a peal of derisive laughter The girl, padding sturdily, was just disap- bearing around the point.
 He looked anxiously at the south west. The cloud had changed from gray to black. It was mounting the sky like afrace horse. The dull boom of distant thunder shook the air. He shortened sail down to the last reef and waited.
 Higher and higher came the cloud, and as it crept up the sky it's edges took on a Hvid green. The red after glow of twilight was suddenly blot ted out, and the water became inky black. The first flaws struck him. The boat Careened and went tearing down the lake From the woods across the lake came a deep, steady roar that told him the wind was coming in earnest. He gripped tiller and sheet and shut his teeth.
 
 the canoe just ahead rolling madly and threatening momentarily to up set. He could see the girl a ghastly spot of white padding frantiCally in her efforts to reach the shore. He shot the boat into the wind along side, scrambled to the rail and pulled her in. With no waste of time he dropped her across a seat and sprang to the tiller just as the full fury of the wind caught them. The sail filled with noise like crack of a heavy rifle and the boat Careened dangerous ly, then it righted heavily as he let go the sheet
 The girl, with white face and fright ened eyes, clung to the rail
 "What-what have I done?' she gasped between her chattering teeth.
 Done? 9" he cried bitterly. You've nearly drowned yourself and you may drown us both yet. God knows!'
 She shrank as from a physical blow but he had no time to notice it. He pulled a knife from his pocket and flung it to her.
 "Open that and stand by the hal yards. Cut them quickly if I tell you to-
 A bIinding shaft of light streamed from the sky, accompanied simulta- neOusly by a deafening crash. Then the rain came down in torrents, shut ting them in with a gray wall. There was Sldip IepOII' Iue lI@IH9Ieet had parted.
 The halyards-quick!" he yelled.
 She sIashed with the knife and the sail came rattling down.
 A moment later there was a shock that set the boat quivering from stem to stern. and this was followed by dull grating beneath the keel. By good luck they had struck on one of the many islands in the lake. He caught the girl in his arms and sprang ashore.
 If she anticipated a torrent of re- proach from him she was disappoint- ed. He made fast the painter and then stood looking at her with a grave