New Britain herald., 1923-11-20

clutched gave an ominous crack. It
 began to sag in dangerous way, and at the fork where it joined larger branch q white slit appeared and be- gan to grow wider. He watched it growing. his eyes quite steady, his mind alert for the emergency that it seemed must arrive. but the branch Ecld for the space of time that he needed ii: and it was with heartfelt r. lief that he grasped a larger bough, and the next moment touched bottom with his feet.
 At that he shifted his hold on the girl. towing her by portion of her dress. and two minutes later. lifted her beyond the water-line or the high shelving bank. The next moment he had her in his arms and was scramb- ling up the hank.
 Gasping he stood looking at her until he had recovered his breath. the girl unconscious of his gaze; then when he felt equal to the task, he plunged again into the river and swan to his own camp. A few min utos later he returned in h,s canoe, carrying with him field water bottle filled with medical brandy.
 The girl lay as he had left her, and his first action was to pour a few drops of brandy between her parted lipS. and that done he waited. chafing her hands. X minute later the long lashed eyelids fluttered and opened, and the gray eyes looked wildly round without seeing him, then closed ' gain and a long sigh came from her as she lapsed into unconseiousness anew. Al that he wasted no more time. Lifting her. llc carried her down in the canoe. and paddlinG across the river. bore her ur to his own camp. and laid her down where then he administered further brandy and once more waited.
 Again the cyelids fluttered and upencd, and the girl looked round with wild. nncomnrehendinG gaze. then her eyes grew steady. and a moment later fixed themselves upon Stane, He waited. saw wonder light them. then. in voi"e that shook, the girl asked: How did | come hcrc 9"
 That you know host yourself, answered tho young man. cheerruly 'I ashcd VOL ont of tho river that IS all know" The girl mado as fl 10 reply; hut stane prevented her,
 NO, don't try to talk for little while Watt, Take a little more Of this brandy"
 she lifted herself into a sitting pos turc. and he thoughtfnlly rolled n small sack of beans 10 support her back, then she looked at him with q puick questioning gaze,
 'I have seen you before. have I nots You are the man who was at Fort Na'sum, aren't you-fh fhp man whom Mir. Ainley used to know"
 Yes" ho answered with a sudden l bitterness. "T am the man whom 1 Ainlcy used to know. My name is Hubert stane. and | am discharged | convict. as dsresay he told you"
 "You-nshed me out" she said. her yves on tho rocks across the river | Was it there tho canoc overturned ?"
 "Yes," hc answered. you struck he rocks"
 Then you swam for me-" persisted he girl.
 Had to-" he answered earelnssly. | rouldnt lct you drown before my | ,yes--cyen if am a convict"
 '"roll me where you got me- l r,- nothing about it."
 He looked down the river
 "As near as l can tell you. it WAS " that rlump of frs there: though ras not able 10 land for quite a long listance beyond. You were uncon- eions. and carried you along the opposite bank. then swan across for " canoe and ferried you over There on have the whole story" He broke ff sharply. then before she could ,ffer comment he spoke again:
 T think lt would be as well if you ould have change Of clothes. IL E not cold, but to let those you have Try on you might bring on all sorts ,f ills. There arc some things Of nine in the tent. I will put them handy. and you can slip them on whilst [ take a stroll You can then ry your own outfit"