Middletown transcript., 1916-09-09
CHAPTER xIII-continued.

"Lie still a moment" said a voice
gently. You will breathe easier short
" and regain strength"
knew my fingers closed on the
mans hand convulsively, but the wa
ter yet blinded my eyes. He must
have perceived this for he wiped my
face with a cloth, and it was then
perceived his face clearly, and remem-
bered.
'sThe Sieur d'Artignyg' l exclaimed.
''Of course" he answered. "Who
else should it be, madame? Please do
not regret my privilege"
"Your privilege; It's strange word
you choose, monsieur" faltered, not
yet having control of myself. Surely
/ have granted none"
"Perchance not as there was small
chance" he answered, evidently at
tempting to speak lightly. "NOr could
I wait to ask your leave; yet surely
I may esteem it privilege to bring
you ashore alive"
y
scarcely understood, monsieur; lost
consciousness, and am dazed in mind.
You leaped into the water from the
cancer
"Yes; there was no other course left
me. My boat was beyond yours, q
few yards farther out in the lake.
when the storm struck. We were par
TALLY prepared, for felt assured there
would be trouble. Never did l feel
more deadly blast; no craft such as
ours could face it. We were to your
left and rear when your canoe cap
sized, and 1 bore down toward where
you struggled in the water. An In
dian got grip upon you as we swept
by. but the craft dipped so that he let
90, and then 1 jumped, for we could
never come back, and that was the
only chance. This is the whole story,
madame, except that by Gods help, l
got you ashore"
looked into his face, impressed by
the seriousness with which he spoke.
"I-I thank you, monsieur" l said,
and held out my hand. ut was most
gallant Are we alone here? Where
are the others?"
81 do not know, madame" he an
swered, his tone now that of formal
courtesy. "'Tis but a short time
since we reached this spot, and the
storm yet RACES. May help you to
stand. so you may perceive better our
situation"
He lifted me to my feet, and |
stood erect, my clothes dripping wet,
and my limbs trembling so that l
grasped his arm for support, and
glanced anxiOusly about. We were
on a narrow sand beach, at the edge
Of a small cove, so protected the wa
ters were comparatively calm, al
though the trees above bowed to the
blast, and out beyond the headland |
could see huge waves, whitened with
foam, and perceive the clouds of spray
flung up by the rocks. 1t was wild
scene, the roar Of the breakers loud
and continuous, and the black clouds
flying above with dizzy rapidity. All
the horror which l had just passed
through seemed typified in the scene,
and covered my face with my hands.
"YOu-you think they-they are all
gomez" l asked, forcing the words
from me.
"Oh, no." he answered eagerly, and
his hand touched me. do not give
way to that thought. l doubt if any
In your canoe made shore, but the
others need not be in great danger.
They could run before the storm until
they found some opening In the coast
line to yield protection. The sergeant
was no voyageur and when one of
the paddles broke he steered wrong.
With an Indian there you would have
dOated."
""Then what can we dOT
There is naught that see, but
wait. Monsieur Cassion will be blown
south. but will return when the storm
subsidies to seek you. No doubt he
will think you dead, yet will scarcely
leave without search. See, the sky
grows lighter already, and the wind
Is Tess QcEc6. II WOulO Dc lHOuSul
to attain the woods yOnder, and build
a fire to dry our clothes; the air chills."
looked where he pointed, up mar
row rift in the rocks, yet scarcely felt
strength or courage to attempt the
ascent. He must have read this in
my face, and seen my form shiver as
the wind struck my wet garments, for
he made instant decision.
"Ah. l have a better thought than
that. for you are too weak to attempt
the climb. Here, lie down, madame,
and 1 will cover you with the sand.
1t is warm and dry. linen l will
Chamber up yonder and fling wood
down; twill be but a short time until |
we have a cheerful blaze here"
From where l lay my head on a |
nummock Of sand, my body com-