The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-01-09
Continued From Page 81


through. the cold OF the night and
the forest would he swift 20 claim
them II by any miracle they were
ah,s 10 struggle out OF the river. Yet
there was not an instant's delay.
nAe full sweep OF his thoughts was
like flash OF lightning In the sky;
he was out % tho saddle almost the
instant that the water engulfed her.
lie sprang with his fun strength into
tho stream.
ON the hank the two men saw Il
As In dream. the horses fall. the
upheavsi OF the water as the animal
struggled. a flash OF the girls face.
and then BUS leap. They called
cut In their impotence. and they
cared with horror.wiiened ewes. But
almost al once the drama was hidden
from them. The flight dropped
it's gray curtains between: besides.
tho waters had swept their struggling
figures down the stream and out OF
their sight.
Already the river looked just the
same. Mutvauey. riderie-s. was bat.
Ting toward them through the tor
rent. but the stress and struggle Of
- second before had been instantly
cut short. There were no spreading
rippies. no break In the gray surface
81 the stream TO show where the two
had fallen. The stream swept on.
infinite. pasSionic~s for all its tu-
mutt. unconquerahle--llke the River
OF Death that takes within Its depths
the souls OF men. never 10 yield
them. never 20 show whence they
have gone
The storm recommended. the wind
walled In tho spruce tops. and the
snow sifted down into the gray
waters.
VII
Bill Bronson had no realization OF
the full might of the stream until he
felt Il around his body. The wat-rs
were fed from the snowfieids on the
far peaks. and every nerve in his
system seemed to snap and break In
the first shock OF immersion. But
he quickly rallied. battling the
stream with mighty strokes.
lie knew that II the rescue were
accomplished. IL would have to be
soon. The torrent grew even wilder
50 ~ sttHsA aO~u ttfN t&&Aty RAs
human being could live In the great.
black whirlpool az It's mouth Re
sides. the cold would claim him soon.
lust few little instan's Of struggle.
md then exhaustion. II indeed the
y waters did not paralyre his mus
es-
Ne He swam with his eyes open. fun
- the current. and with a really In
credible speed And BY the mercy
OF the forest gods almost at once he
caught a glimpse Of virginla's dark
tresses IN tho water.
She was ten feet TO one side.
sovarsi the Gray Lake shore OF the
river. ard several feet IN front. The
man seemed simply to leap through
the water. And In an instant more
his arm went about her.
Give yourself to the current he
shouted And hang on to me-
He knew this river. They were
Just entering upon stretch OF
water dreaded OF old by the river
men that had sometimes piled down
the stream In their fur-laden canoes
IA place OF jagged rocks and crasS
and powders that were all but sub
merged By the waters. To be hurled
against their sharp edges meant
death. certain and speedily. He
knew that his mortal strength
-ouidn'. avail against them. But by
Welding to the current he thought
hat he might swing between them
nfo the open waters below. His
rn frightened about the girls form.
lie had not come an instant too
,on. Already she had given M. A
. y ir swimmer. she had been power.
F-s in the rapids She had not
Teamed but that the trail OF her
- was at an end. She was cold
and afraid and alone, and she had
been ready TO yield. But the sight
Of the guides strong body beside
her had thrilled her with renewed
hope.
Even in the shadow OF death she
WINS aware OF the strong wrench OF
his muscles az he swan. the saving
might Of his powerful frame. She
knew that he was not afraid for him
self. but only for her. Even death.
with all It's shadow and mystery had
not broken his spirit or bowed his
head: he faced II as he faced the
wilderness and the whole dreadful
battle OF ltfe-strongiy. quietly. with
overwhelming courage. And the
girl found herself partaking Of his
own strength.
Up 10 now she had not entered
into comradeship with this man. She
had held herself on different plane.
But he was a comrads now: no mat
ter the outcome. even ~ they should
find only inhospitable Death at the
end OF their trail. this relationship
could never be destroyed. THEY
fought the same fight. in the same
shadow. Now she would not have
To enter. the dark gates Of Eternity
alone and afraid Here was a com
-t,de: she knew the truth at the first
-a,Vch Of his arm. . He could buoy
up her spirit with his own.
III let go Of you. can you hang
on TO my SHOULDN'T" he asked her.
Yes
He tried 10 look into her face. 20
ses IL she spoke the truth. But the
shadows were almost impcnetrsble
now, and the air was choked with
falling snow.
Then put your hand on my
shoulder. / can't make progress the
way I'm holding you now. III try
20 work TO the nearest shore.
Shs seized his shoulder. but near
iy lost her grasp in channel OF
swift water. Her fingers locked in
tho cloth Of his shirt. And he be.
gan, little at time. to Gloss the
sixty feet of wild water between
them and the shore.
lie had never been put to a great
er test Every ounce OF his strength
was needed. The tendency OF the
stream was 10 carry him into the
center Of the current, he was heavily
-lothed and shod. and the girl. cx.
Iausted, was scarcely able 10 give