Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-08-10
CHAPTER xlll-continued.

Lie still a moment" said a voice
gently. "You will breathe easier short
ly 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.
'The Sieur d'Artigny!" | exclaimed.
"Of course" he answered. VINO
else should it be, madame? Please do
not regret my privilege"
Your privilege; it's a strange woru
YOU choose, monsieur" l faltered, not
vet having control of myself. "Surely
/ have granted none"
"Perchance not, as there was smali
chance" he answered, evidently at
tempting to speak lightly. Nor could
/ wait to ask your leave; yet surely
1 may esteem it a privilege p bring
you ashore alive"
SIT was you then who saved me! l
scarcely understood, monsieur; | lost
consciousness, and am dazed ln mlnd.
You Ieaped into the water from the
canoc?'
Yes; there was no other course left
me. My boat was beyond yours, a
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 | feel
more deadly blast; no craft such as
ours could face it. We We're to your
left and rear when your canoe cap
sized, and | 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
go. and then l 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.
Il thank you, monsieur | said,
and held out my hand. at was most
gallant. Are we alone here? Where
are the othersr
81 do not know, madame" he an
swered, his tone now that of formal
courtesy. otis but a short time
since we reached this spot, and the
storm yet RACES. May l 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 |
grasped his arm for support, and
glanced ~anxiously about. We were
on q narrow sand beach, at the edge
of a small cove, SO protected the wa
tiers were comparatively calm, al
though the trees above bowed to the
blast, and out beyond the headland
could see huge waves, whitened witt
foam. and perceive the clouds of spray
flung up by the rocks. 1t was a wild
scene, the roar of the breakers LOUD
and continuous, and the black clouds
flying above with dizzy rapidity. AL
the horror which | had just passeC
through seemed typifed in the scene
and l covered my face with my hands
"You-you think they-they are al
gomez" I asked, forcing the word
from me.
"Oh, no. he answered eagerly, ant
his hand touched me. "Do not Civ
way to that thought. I doubt IL an.
In your canoe made shore. but tn
others need not be in great danger
They could run before the storm unit
they found some opening in the coas
line to yield protection. The sergean
was no voyageur, and when one o
the paddles broke he steered wrong
With an Indian there you would hav
uioated."
Then what can we dor
There Is naught that l see, Blu
wait. Monsieur Casslon will be blow
south, but will return when the storI
subsidies to seek you. No doubt b
will think you dead, yet will scarcel
leave without search. See, the SIX
grows lighter already, and the win
Is less fierce. It would be my though
TO attain the woods yonder, and bull
a fire to dry our clothes; the air chills
I looked where he pointed, up a ma
row rift In the rocks, yet scarcely fe
strength or courage to attempt Il
ascent. He must have read this
my face. and seen my form SILVER 1
the wind struck my wet garments, Il
he made instant decision.
"Ah, | have a better thought tina
that, for you are too weak to atteml
the climb. Here. lie down, madam
and | will cover you with the san
1t is warm and dry. Then I vi
chamber up yonder and cling woo
down; twill be but a short time uni
we have a cheerful blaze here"
From where | lay my head on
Anr.n.nnk ~ uond NV hodv aos