Gilpin observer., 1917-05-10
BY yE.AlEXANDER POWELL
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derstand, Toms fireman.. a taciturn
young Indian named Little Bear.
Strange are life's condolences, for
Little Bear was none other than the
son of that same klamath Indian chief
whom Rupert Holmes had slain score
Of years before.
Through all these years Virginia
Holmes had remained in ignorance of
her husbands marriage to Florence
Marston, of the later birth of son
and of Holmes spectacular rise
to great wealth. Nor had she de-
sired to keep in touch with the man
who had treated her so brutally. She
was as happy as woman may be
whose life romance has gone awry.
1t was well into the afternoon when
the log train with Helen aboard, rolled
into Port Jefferson with a clatter of
couplings and squealing of brakes.
Awaiting her near the tracks with a
horse and buggy was Anne Darlington.
We've been having hOrrid weather,
dear" said Anne, between giggles of
delight at meeting her school chum-
"the fog was so thick as l drove in
that could barely see the road"
AS the girls drove out of Port JEFF
fersOn with its screaming mills and
belching chimneys, Helen found that
the fog was indeed one of the worst
she had ever experienced.
Suddenly the chatter of the two
school girls was interrupted by great
hoarse below that seemed to come
from the depth of the fog close at
hand.
"What was that?" Helen cried.
1T must be n steamers fog horn,"
replied Anne. II never heard one so
close before. This is a fearfully dam
gerous coast-perhaps they're on the
rocks"
Just then the fog lifted and great
steamer was revealed, on her beam
ends, bow high in the air, with crowds
of excited people upon her decks. The
ship was evidently fast on the jagged
reef.
"It's the Marathon I" Anne exclaimed,
1.-THE big passenger boat that runs
from San Francisco to Seattle"
Look, Anne" Helen screamed,
suddenly clutching her companions
arm in intense excitement-"That man
In the bow =. he's going to jump
Don't you see him-there just in front
Of the bridge, standing on the rail. oh,
why doesn't he wait for the boats.
He'll be drowned If he tries to swim
ashore"
An instant later the young man had
leaped far out from the steamers side
and was struggling in a smother of
tossing water. He appeared to be but
poor swimmer and to be losing in
the fight for his life.
In an instant Helen had leaped to
the ground and was hastily removing
her outer garments.
"What on earth are you thinking of
doing, Helen?" gasped her companion.
"Why, my dear, you couldn't live in
that water for five minutes-Helen
you-Oh, heavenI"
II can't see the man drown when I'm
sure l can save him." retorted the
lumberman's daughter-"it would
haunt me all my life."
With quick run the 1.-the young
creature crossed the cliff and unhesi-
tatingly plunged into the sea.
The young man who had inspired
this reckless deed was evidently near
ing the end of his strength. He was
paving the water, dog-fashion, sure
sign of the final stages. As Helen ap-
preached him, swimming the crawl
stroke she had been taught by an Aus
tralian workman on the swift running
CalapOoia, he tried to seize her.
''If you do that again." the girl shout
ed, "fll leave you to drown"
Frightened by her tone the drown
Ing man obeyed mechanically and lay
still. How Helen swan the last hun
dred yards she never knew, but Just
us she felt that she could not hold out
another second she felt bottom under
her feet, and huge comber, taking
charge Of affairs, tossed rescuer and
rescued high upon the shingle. Gasp
Ing for breath and utterly exhausted,
Helen submitted to being wrapped In
blanket from the buggy and helped
aboard.
'That was the bravest thing ever
saw done," said a man who came to
the girls assistance. "This young fel-
Ter would have been food for the fishes
II 1t hadn't been for you, Miss"
"Helen, you're darling" gasped
Anne, between laughter and tears
you're perfect heroine"
The rescued youth was assisted to
seat In the rig and invited to the
Darlington home until he recovered
from his shock. AS they were about
to drive Off he called to one Of the men
who had been attracted by the daring
rescue and urged that a telegram be
sent to his father.
"Send It." he called out, "to Rupert
Holmes, Pioneer building. Seattle"
You don't sayT" the man answered.
Him that's president Of the Anal
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