Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-24
PLAYING SAFE @ By HENRY C: ROWLAND

had been washed out and given way. Ana mere
she was imprisoned. probably the only one in
the car to be thus helpless, as otherwise there
must have been cries for help.
No doubt the torrent was continuing to rise.
in which she must be drowned like a rat
in a trap unless speedily released
"At any rate this solves my problem she
thought and at that moment there came the
soshing Of water in the aisle and voice said
cheerfully, Now I'll soon have you out of this
Keep over against the window side
Followed a smashing and splinterlng, ap-
parently the blows OF a train AK directed against
the partition at her feet. But as these continued
the flood rose higher about her until her body
was half submerged. The seemed to settle
a little so that Claire's body was covered and
she was forced to raise her head to keep II clear
And all OF this in Stygan blackness.
Now. we'll see,' said the vibrant voice
huskiy. Clares hands were against the lid OF
her aqueous coffin. when she felt 1t suddenly mt
slip out" painted voice.
She squirmed through the aperture and
found herself spashing about in two or three
feet of water
"Al right" said the voice, and hand fun
bling about griped her by the shoulder and
helped her to her feet.
The was at an agile of As degrees and,
like people ABOARD sailing vessel in gale. they
managed to crawl and scramble to the plat
form Crossing this they entered the car ahead
which slanted az lesser angle. while the
water in the aisle was not so deep. lhey mace
their way the length of this. stephen in the
lead, and on reaching the forward platform he
paused with exclamation Of dismay.
Good Lord!--the rest of the train is gone
"Into the river?" Claire said tremulousy.
"I don't think So He peered out into the
murk. ITS not very deep and we could see if
it had We were moving very slowly when the
side of the treste gave way This car is on the
track. The passengers from must have
gone through to the car ahead of this when they
uncoupled the train and went on"
The black water swirl!ng past two feet
deep over the platform. while the rain was
crashing down in solid sheets. Then as they
stood there a shudder seemed to shake the
and it lurched at a greater angle.
We've got to get out of this and quick
said Stephen. "The trestle is apt to go at any
moment, or our car might roll and drag
this one after 1t. We're ShipWrecked In Ar
kansas. Wait moment"
He plunged into the oblivion of the car and.
above the crash of the rain and the gurgling
sounds Of the torrent, Claire heard the clattering
and banging Of loose planks. Lacking the re-
sourcefulness of her rescuer, she could not
imagine what he hoped to find as material for
raft in a sleeping But she was enlightened
when a few minutes later Stephent emerged and
propped in the doorway what sounded like a
heap of planks.
"These are the triangular partitions from be-
tween the upper berths, he said breathessly.
They'll float US until we ground somewhere. It's
not If were a thousand miles at sea- III
get couple more"
He accomplished this and taking five of the
partitions he laid them in the water one on top
of the other beside the downstream edge of . .
platform, and he did so there came another
ominous shudder and the careened slightly.
Stephen went down the steps and set his valise
on the improvised raft.
Come on said he to Claire Lie half
way across this thing and we'll cast off. Hurry.
The cars apt to topple over at any minute"
Claire followed his instructions and mo-
ment later they were swirling away through the
inky murk, partly submerged but foated easily
by the wood partitions. The water was warm
new milk and about as thick, though this was
not Immediately discoverabe. AS the bed Of the
stream smooth there were no waves, but
occasionally they were caught in a whirlpool
and twisted from side to side.
1--WE ought to wash ashore pretty soon," said
Stephen, that is if we don't get foated out into
the Arkansas. But even in that we ought
to land somewhere in time for breakfast"
Claire began to laugh, not Historically, but
from the absurdity of their situation. 1t seemed
a fitting end to her disastrous trip to be floating
down through the ptchy darkness with nothing
left her but her life and suit OF silk pajamas.
very thin and torn. While opposite her was
young man similarly clad and chained to bag
of treasure which rightfully hers and which
he had been at such pains to safeguard.
What do you think Of playing safe?"
she asked.
There's no such thing I've hung on to 1t
far, though and he raped the panel be-
meath him with his knuckes.
well, I don't begrudge it to you, now. You
saved me from very oozy death. What if you
hadn't been able to get me out?"
"Then I'd have Kept you company. There's
no good in hating ones self for all ones life"
His hand close to hers Claire laid hers
on the back of it for moment with sudden
ifnpusive pressure. Thank you," said she.
The pressure returned and for several
moments they drifted on in silence, then Ste
phen said:
This is the first time I've been comfort
ably cool since my morning tub and that was
fairly lukewarm. Not getting chilled, are you?"
mot bit It's very refreshing"
THE daylight can't be far off," said Ste
phen; then we can make landfall and lay a
course for somewhere"
The rain stopped suddenly though
body had turned off the faucet of the shower
and the silence struck upon them with sort
of shock There was no noise beyond the low
voice Of the food. sort Of deep.
musical diapason. Then presently the heavy
clouds seemed to roll at the edges and the bril-
liant summer stars shone down upon them from
a widening of fathomless sky. Dark high
banks loomed up on either side at distance of
several hundred yards But looking downstr cam
was like looking straight out to open sea.
Just thought" said Stephen. This Is
a big shallow torrential tributary Of the Ar
kansas, and it can't be very far away" His
eyes pierced the gloom. rapidly tightening,
and suddenly he gave gasp of dismay.
Good Lord! look at that. We're out in
the river"
For the clay banks on either side had
dwindled abruptly, then disappeared and they
saw that they were swirling out upon broad
expanse of water higher draft of air had
swept away the rain clouds and there was a
growing light which announced the dawn
This frightened rapidly as the sky cleared