The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-06-21

Meta Deane was married to Mr.. James
Rodney, the invalid guest of the Deane
home. With only a shattered romance
and bitter memories of his blighted
business career, Dayton roved here
and there for year and finally set
tied down on an island off the coast of
Maine, having charge of a sailing
plant.
His one pleasure when off duty was
to row along the shore, feeling alone
and rested to be away from the city
rush and men. Two years passed by.
He had saved up some money. At
times powerful impulse Influenced
him to go back to his former village
home and see his old-time friends, but
the thought that Meta was surely lost
to him stood always in the way OF
carrying out that plan.
There was summer resort few
miles down the shore from the saltery.
One blustery afternoon Dayton was
walking down the shore near to the
| great beach hotel, when he halted as
he noticed quite in the distance wom-
an rushing in his direction, her man
ner evidencing the most intense ex-
| element and distress. Her eyes We're
fixed Stewards. A glance thitherward
| appraised Dayton of the source of her
| perturbation. A frail shore boat was
drifting beyond the great breakers and
inside of it, clinging to the rail, were
| two little children.
Apparently they had been playing in
the boat inside the beach breakwater
and the craft had fOated away with
them. Momentarily the furious waves
were driving them further and further
| out to sea. In an instant Dayton tore
off his coat and plunged into the surf.
A wild, frenzied scream rang from
| the lips of the running woman as the
boat gave swing, turned over and its
two helpless occupants were flung into
the boiling surf. A superb swimmer.
although battling tremendous difficult
ties, Dayton reached first one and then
| the other of the imperiled children. He
struck out for shore, one clinging
about his neck as he directed, the
other, quite insens;ble, sustained on
one arm.
He was well-nigh exhausted as he
staggered up the beach. His eyes half
blinded with the salt sea water did not
clearly make out the frantic woman,
who rushed toward the two little girls
and took the one overcome cherishing-
ly in her arms. Totally collapsed,
No. y%1v@ 4AoI 10 nd hI1Y01 N n
but insensible of his surroundings for
the moment. People came rushing
down the beach and there was an up
roar and turmoil. The lady and the
children were whisked away in an au-
tomobile. The proprietor of the hotel
assisted Dayton to his feet.
"You'ls come with me and get off
those wet togs," he declared authori-
tatively. "Mr. Dayton, you are brave
genuine man! Outside of saving two
little children, you have saved the
reputation of my place here"
Dayton was too weak and unnerved
to resist the kindly interventions of
his grateful host. His rehabilitation
was solicitously looked to. He was
provided with dry apparel, 1t was or
dered that an auto should take him
back home and he was leaving the
hotel when it's proprietor came rush
ing after him.
"You-you! fluttered a vibrating
voice, as Dayton was ushered into an
apartment where stood the lady of the
sands, and he stared in wonder at his
old love. "Oh!" she cried, taking both
his hands in her own, "where have you
been these long many months?"
Hiding myself, fancy" rejoined
Dayton, with hard bitter laugh.
"And II have found your cried
Meta.
"Your children are safe," began Day.
ton.
"Not my children but dear to me as
if they were," said Meta. 81 married
Mr. Rodney one hour before his death,
because he implored me to be mother
to the dear little ones. He left me
quite a fortune and uncle was thus
made comfortable until he passed
away. And now"
And now they had met, and her eyes
clearly showed the earnest, longing
love of the years, and within an hour
those two were reunited, heart and
soul.