The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-12-16
A TEST
OF LOVE
By DWIGHT NORWOOD

petticoats. A match had been made
for him by his father, the Duke of
Fordham, with Lady Geraldine Stan
hore, the daughter of duke. Lord
Archibald was well satisfied with
Lady Geraldine and seemed to be fond
Of her alone till Amy Cuthbert, the
daughter Of an American banker,
came along, and from that time no one
could tell whether Lord Archibald
would marry Lady Geraldine or Amy.
The Cuthberts were very rich and
rented manor house in the neighbor-
hood where Lord Archibald and Lady
Geraldine lived. This made a steady
thing of the rivalry between the two
girls, not that a rivalry was apparent,
for what each girl felt no one knew
except herself.
For one who had not noble an
cestry Miss Cuthbert was remarkably
well bred. Indeed, by some she was
considered more of high stopper than
her rival. She had more money than
Lady Geraldine, but this was her only
advantage. The truth is it was an
it was generally believed that Lord
Archibald, provided he had his choice
would marry the one he loved
Autumn came on and with it hunt.
ing. Everybody among the aristocracy
round about hunted, and parties were
made up for the purpose. One after
noon a number of persons set out,
mounted, Lord Archibald and his two
favorites being of the party. Lady
Geraldine was high minded enough to
show no unfriendliness to Miss Cuth-
bert, and on the surface at least they
were good friends.
On this afternoon the party became
scattered into little groups, in some
cases individuals. Lord Archibald was
riding in wood when suddenly, emerg-
ing from 1t, he saw Lady Geraldine
and Miss Cuthbert riding together on
the bank of n stream. a horn sound.
ed on the other side, and the two girls
turned to cross the stream at shallow
place.
MY God" he exclaimed; IF they
cross there they'll get into the quick
sand!"
He cried out with all his voice, but
it was drowned by the barking Of a
pack of dogs. Putting spurs to his
horse, he dashed down a decliyity to-
ward those who were going into dan
ger. Having descended from the bank,
they passed over a stony bottom to
the verge Of the stream, and their
horses hoofs began to splash the wa.
ter, neither riding ahead, but side by
side. Then it was noticeable that the
animals were having difficulty in with
drawing their feet from the muddy
bottom.
Lord Archibald goaded his horse SO
fiercely that in jumping over an in
equality in the ground he fell and sent
his rider sprawling ahead of him. The
man was not hurt, but arose with an
exclamation Of impotence and at
tempted to get his horse on his feet.
He failed; the horse had broken leg
Turning to look at the girls, Archi'
bald saw their horses 1oundering in
the water, both animals having sunk
up to their bellies. Looking once more
despairingly at his own horse and real
izing the impossibility of using him,
Archibald ran as fast as his legs would
carry him toward the girls. When he
reached them the bodies of both horses
were nearly covered, leaving only the
shoulders above the surface.
Archibald was alone. He had moth
ing with which to eXtricate the sink
ing girls, and if he entered upon the
quicksand he would not save them.
but add a third victim. He saw one
chance-a tree growing on the bank in
clined over the stream, and a branch
extended straight out over the point
where the girls were tloundering. by
climbing out on the branch it might
be possible to help them, though 1t
seemed too high to enable him to do so.
Gray jumped. caught lower branch,
pull III himself up into the tree, then
began to crawl out on the limb. AS
he proceeded his weight bent it lower,
and by the time he came to the point
over which the girls were sinking, by
winding his legs around the branch
and holding on to it with one hand, he
was within reach Of both Lady Geral'
dine and Miss Cuthbert
BY this time several persons appear
ed on the opposite bank and stood look
ing anxiously on this narrowing scene
When Archibald was in position tc
render assistance it was question
which girl he would first try to save
Even If he reached one Of them sc
deeplv embedded was she that 1t woulc
be difficult to draw her out. 1t was
evident that only one, If any. coulo
be saved. All watched to see whicl
1t would be. Both girls faces were
turned up to him eagerly, imploringiy
Archibald hesitated. but only for
moment. Then he extended his hant
to Lady Geraldine.
IL fell short. but by rocking tho
branch, she extending her hand, h'
! was enabled to grasp 1t.
He bad scarcely done so when
rope was thrown from the shore ant
| fell between Miss Cuthbert and heI
horses head. A countryman had wit
messed from his home the two girls
riding TO qulcksand and, seizing
rope. had run toward them. Both girl
were drawn out by means of the rope
There was no doubt rs TO which o
| the two favoritcs Lord Archibald
loved He married Lady Geraldine
Miss Cuthbert went back home anC