The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-05-20

lLuHueI ClOuuS every INV
and then with flashes Of chain light
ming. Though the storm was still at
some distance from the quiet lake,
everyone was scurrying in to the land
ing, for it gave promise of being a
severe one.
The group Of girls at the b%oathouse
were casting frequent glances at the
approaching darkness in the heavens.
Only n Of them stood silently
apart. She seemed to be gazing va
cantly out over the expanse Of wa
ter.
why, Alta" cried Muriel Brown,
a tiny blonde, Surely you are not
frightened by the storm"
Alta slowly shook her head. The
girls whispered covertly to one IN
other, for they knew that it was not
the fright of the storm that troubled
Alta.
"Fie! Alta Winston ~ said Muriel In
mock indignation. She seemed to be
leader of the group. Thinking Of
Mr.. Hilton? You are q fine bachelor
girl. / suppose it is quite natural to
be so anxious for ones future brother
in-law, isn't it, girls?"
They joined in her merry peal Of
laughter. Strangely Alta did not par
ticipate In their fun. The storm vas
quite near now, and n by n they
sped timorously from the b~oathouse
to their camp. Only Muriel remained
with Alta. She was troubled by the
girls seeming moodiness.
II am sorry" she began, half apollo
getically, putting her arm around AL
ta's waist, but l didn't mean to be
rude. l never knew you to be so smit-
ten with any fellow like this, and we
do hate to lose YOU"
please don't jest, Muriel." Alta
interposed. "Why won't you girls take
me seriously. YoN have often heard
me speak of Harry. You know he is
engaged to Helen. He has often leased
me about our bachelor camp and /
invited him up while Helen was away
on his vacation. Now he is out alone
on that lake"-her voice broke as q
warning rumble announced the begin
ming Of the storm. "He doesn't know
about the drop at the mill up at the
other end. After all, he is like a broth
err and"
you silly girl interrupted Muriel,
though her heart sank inwardly. HE
will be in any moment. Oh!' she
started at a fearful crash Of thunder.
Come back from that door, Alta. 1t
is dangerous TO stand near it,"
II have watched the lake since he
went out. l made him promise not to
go far, for some vague foreboding
troubled me-" she spoke as if to her
self. ut is all my fault. 1t would
kill Helen If anything should happen.
There is only one thing for me to do"
and she started for the landing. Mu-
riel had only dimly grasped the mean
ing of her words.
alta Winston! !" she cried, Selling
her by the hands. you won't go out
on that lake in this storm. 1t is mad
ness-it's worse-it'S death !"
Muriel's efforts to stop her were
futile. With a quiet smile she thrust
the little blonde from her and in trice
was down on the landing and into her
motor boat. Muriel gasped In dis
may and her face went as white as
her sailor dress. She stepped to the
head Of the landing. AS she did, a
vivid flash of lightning lighted the
whole of the darkening lake.
It did not take long for Muriel to
spread the news, even though the
storm was at it's height; but luckily
both storm and peril proved to be not
as great as had been threatened.
In less than three-quarters Of an
hour the boathouse was %thronged with
people. Though the waters Of the
lake were still tossing wildly, many
were starting out after the brave girl
when a cry went up that her motor
boat had been heard.
In the meantime Muriel was ur-
rounded by a bevy of anxious Ques-
TONERS.
"Just to think" she kept saying.
"Her bravery was in vain, for Harry
Hilton had already put in at one Of
the other camps. where they mistook
him for one Of their new members
who is missing. He is right here now,
while poor Alta is probably drowned"
A loud cheer proved that she was
mistaken about Atlas danger, for that
young lady had already reached the
landing. 1t was hard to distinguish
her in the darkness, but as the Ian
tern shone upon her it's light disclosed
a rather bedraggled but joyful Alta.
1--WE got him. she smiled weakly.
"He IA just drifting to the drop when
he capsized. 1t was hard work, but"
She stopped abruptly. There before
her with the lantern stood Harry Hill
ton. Amazed, she watched him shift
his light upon the unconscious form
they were lifting from the boat. Then
she turned quickly to hide her embar-
rassment, for his face was a strange
one. He was the missing camper.
= =
About 10 o'clock that. night Muriel
interrupted the rubber hand Of whist
M thu sDocho1nr ronnV