Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-31
CHAPTER XII
eliza and OMEN.

N remained helpless his impa-
~ tience became acute, and on the
fourth morning he determined
to leave at whatever cost In pain or
danger TO the injury. He gave orders.
therefore, 10 have boat prepared and
allowed himself to be carried TO IL.
The foreman of the bridge crew he del
egated TO guide the girls down across
the inoraine, where he promised to pick
them up. The men who had come with
him he sent on to the cataract where
Dan had been
Aren't you coming with us?" asked
Natalie. when they found him seated
In the skin with an oarsman.
IT'S rough going I'd have TO be car
ried, SO prefer this ne told them.
Then well go with you" Eliza
promptly declared.
Natalie paled and shook her dark
head. lis it safer" she ventured.
mo, 1t isn't. Run along, now. I'll be
down there waiting when you arrive"
III it's safe enough for you it's safe
enough for u.s." said Eliza. Climbing
into the boat. she pumped herself
down with a look which seemed 10
blue eyes met O'Neil's gray ones with
an expression he had never seen in
them until this moment.
Nonsense. childr' he said. Don't
be silly"
Don't you try TO put me out III
hang on and-kick. Don't you say
please either" she warned him.
Il must" he protested. please don't
insist"
She scowled like an angry boy and
seized the gunwales firmly. Her eX
preston made him smile despite his
annoyance. and this provoked her the
more
I'm going" she asserted darkly.
This outing had done wonders for
both girls. The wind and the sunshine
had tanned them, the coarse fare had
lent them a hearty vigor, and they
made charming pictures in their trim
short skirts and sweaters and leather
banded hats.
Very well II you are going take of
What forY'
I'VE may be swamped and have 10
swim for g. You see the man has
taken his Off" Murray pointed to the
rawboned Norwegian oarsman, who
had stripped down as If for footrace.
Eliza obeyed.
Now your sweater"
a. a ~
evident concern. She now seated her
self upon a bowlder and began TO tug
az her rubber boots.
Here! Here! You're not going. too"
O'Neil exclaimed
Yes. l am. I'm frightened to death
but / won't be a coward" Her shak
ing hands and strained voice left no
doubt Of her seriousness.
"She can't SWIM" said Eliza, and
O'Neil put an end to this display of
iirrvisni with rrm refusal.
You'll think I'm afraid" Natalie
expostulated.
Bless you, OF course we will. be
cause you are. So am l, and SO l.
Eliza. for that matter. IL you can't
swim you'd only be taking a foolish
risk and adding TO our danger Be
sides, Eliza doesn't know the feel of
cold water as we do"
Natalie smiled a little TREMENDOUSLY at
recollection Of the shipwreck.
I'D much rather walk. Of course"
she said, and then to Eliza, Tit will
be a lovely ramble for u.s."
But Eliza shook her head. This is
material for my book, and I'll make
enough out OF 1t toto
Buy another orchard" Murray sug
gested
Feeling more resigned, now that the
adventure had taken on a purely finan
cial color. Natalie at length allowed
herself to be dissuaded. and Eliza set
tied herself in her seat with the dis
turbing consciousness that she had
made herself appear selfish and rude
In O'Neil's eyes. Nevertheless she had
no notion of changing her mind.
When the other girl had gone the
oarsman completed his preparations
by lashing fast the contents OF the
skin, proceeding which Eliza watch
ed with some uneasiness. O'Neil show
ed his resentment by a pointed silence
which nettled her, and she resolved 10
hold her seat though the boat turned
somersaults.
Word was finally given. and they
swung out into the flood. O'Neil stood
as best he could on his firm leg and
steered by means OF a sculling oar.
while the Norwegian rowed Justify.
Bits OF drift. patches OF froth. frag-
ments OF ice accompanied them, bob.
bling alongside so persistently that
| Eliza fancied the boat must be sta
tionary until, glancing at the river
banks, she saw them racing past like
the panoramic scenery In melo-
drama. The same glance showed her
that they were rushing directly to.
ward the upper ramparts OF Jackson
| glacier, as If for an assault. Out here
In the current there were waves, and
these increased in size as the bed of
the Salmon grew sleeper, until the pol
ing boat began to rear and leap like
frightened horse. The cleaning wall
ahead rose higher with every instant
IL overhung. giant, crumbling cliff.
imposing, treacherous. Then the
stream turned at right angles: they
were swept along parallel with the ice
face, and. ahead of them for three
miles stretched the gauntlet The tot
tering wall seemed almost within
reaching distance; its breath was cold
L .nI damn ouI clor,r,v ntNau oton1