Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-09
CHAPTER vII-npnunuAd.

CHAPTER vII-npndnuAd,
And 10Y the full madness OF the.
attef.2ted expedition struck her for
the first time. She had never thought
that, at worst, she could not go4back.
What now? Should they stand here
on the shifting sand Of the Bar until
the tide fell--tt was not yet full. Ra-
chael felt her heart boating quick
feverish dream.
Neither maid spoke, perhaps Meth
er one realized the full extent Of the
calarnity. With the confidence of
those who do not understand tho
workings of a car, they waited to
nave 1t start again. J,
But both girls screamed when sud-
denly a new voice was heard Ra-
chael, starting ~nervously as a mans
figure came about the car out OF the
black night, In the next second saw,
with a great rush of relief, that II
was Rudy Simrns. He was a mighty
fellow. devoted to the Gregorys. He
proceeded rather awkwardly to ex-
plain that he hadn't liked to think Of
their trying TO croes the Bar, and 50
~S 80 SA4S vi SA1o ! u1llllllS
board.
"oh, Ruddy, how grateful + am. to.
you!" Rachael said. Perhaps you 4
go back get us 4 tow? What can
1--we do?"
Stuck :" asked Rudy, wading as
unconcernedly about the car as If the
sun were shining on the scene.
mo. ] don't think so. not yet. Blu,
I can feel the road under us giving
already. And I've killed my engine!"
Rudy deliberated.
Won't start, Ell
She simply WON'T" III. MN
"Aain't got a crank, have ye:"
Rachael stared. ~
Why, yes, we have, under my seat
here. But is there a chance tina she
might start on cranking?" she said
eagerly. ;
"Dun't know" Ruddy said non.
cornmittally.
| Rachael was instantly on her feet,
and after some cropping and adjusting.
the cranking was attempted. Failure.
Rudy went bravely at it again. Fail
ure. Again Rachael touched the
starter.
mo USE" she said with d sinking
heart.
But Ruddy was bred of sea-folA
who do not expect quick results. He
tugged away again vigorously, and
again after that. And suddenly-thc
most delicious sound that Rachael's
ears had ever heard-there was the
sucking and plunging that meant sue
cess. The car painted like a giant re-
vived, and Ruddy stood back in the
rAerciless green light and sent Ra-
chael q smile. His homely face, run
ming rain, looked at her as bright as
an angels
"Dun't know ss I'd stand there,
s'deep in my tracks," shouted Rudy.
Gingerly, tin1idly, she pushed the
car on some ten feet. What Is
thinking" suggested Rudy then,
coming to put his face in close to
hers, and shouting over h noise Of
wind and water. lis this: if I was to
walk ahead Of We. kinder feeling for
could come after, dye see?"
"Oh, Rudy. do you think we can
make 1T. them" RachaeTs face was
wet with tears.
"Dun't know.",he said. He took off
his immense boots and gray socks,
and rolled up his wet trousers, the
better to, feel every inc OF rise or fall
in the ground beneath his feet. and
Mile held these for him as If it were
a sacred charge.
And then, with the~full light of the
lamps illurnining his big figure, and
with the water rushing and Eurgling
about them, and the rain pouring
down as if 1t were an actual deluge,
they made the crossing at Clark's Bar.
The shifting water almost blinded Ra-
chael sometimes, and sometimes it
seemed as if any way but the way
that Ruddy's waving arms indicated
was the right one as if to follow him
were utter madness. The water
spouted up through the clutch. and
once again the engine stopped. and
long moments went by before 1t
would respond to the crank again. But
Rachael pushed slowly on. She was
not thinking now, she was conscious
Of no feeling but that there was an
opposite shore, and she must reach
it.
And presently it rose before them.
The road ran gradually upward, a
shallow sheet OF running water e
ing 1t, but firm, hard roadway dis
cernible = nevertheless. Rachael
stopped the car, and Ruddy came.
again and put his face close to hers.
through the curtains.
! Nov ye've got straight road, Mrs.
Gregory, and / hope to the good Lord.
tyou'l have a good run. Thank We,
Millie-much obliged!"
"Ruddy!" said Rachael passionate
|ly, her wet gloves holding his big.
hairy hands tight. TIL never forget.
this: If ha has a2chance to live at all.
this is his chance, and you've given 1t
to him! God bless you, a thousand
times"
That's all right" said Rudy.
terribly embarrassed. You've al
ways been awful good to my folks.
I'm glad we done It! Good-night!"
Then Rudy had turned back for the
walk home in the streaming Black
ness, and Rachael. drawing a deep
breath. nAs on her way again. She
stopped only Tor a quick question to
Mary.
mo change? 2"
Just the same
The wet stilcs EAN BY; rain s.e4t
untirtnsly against the curtains, slish-.
cd in two treat feathers Of water
frons under the rushing wheels. RAJ
lch4Ai watched her speedometer;
tWenty-dve-twAnty-4iEht - thirty
they could not do better than that in
this weather. And they had a hum
dred miles to 60.
But that hundred vas only eighty,
SIX now, only 4ighty. Villages flew by,
and ~ came out and stood on .he
dripping porch4s 81 ~crossroad stores
Ito marvel ~ the long scream Of
Rachael's horn cut through the night
air. Twenty minutes past eight
io'clock-eight minutes of nine
O'clock. The little villages began to
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