certain
death. No aid was possible; the solitude of the woods and lands was as
absolute as if they had been in an unknown country. All he could do was
to keep the woman in whose safety he was concerned quiet, if not
reassured, while he exerted every nerve in his body to withdraw the
little craft from the danger line.

"Cling to the boat," he shouted loudly, for the falling water rang in
his ears with a deafening roar.

As he spoke, the frail craft capsized, and its occupants were plunged
into the foaming, churning water. Leroy made a frantic grasp at his
companion's dress, but missed it. A second later, he saw, in the midst
of the foam, her slight form being carried down to the weir. With a cry
of horror he struck out, in an attempt to rescue her.

In those few awful seconds he prayed that the punishment of their
light-hearted folly might not fall on the woman, but on him; that his
life might be lost, sooner than her good name.

Luckily, he was an expert swimmer; and aided by the stream, which was as
swift as a mill-race, he soon managed to get within reach of Lady
Merivale. With a great effort he grasped her firmly, and, turning slowly
and painfully, swung aslant the stream to the opposite bank.

Her face was white, as if life were already extinct. Her eyes were
closed.

"Heaven grant me her life!" he groaned, as, panting and nearly
exhausted, he dragged himself and his precious burden up on the bank.

He laid her down and felt for some signs of life; to his intense
gratitude, she still breathed; and with a silent prayer of thankfulness,
he turned to look for assistance.

At a little distance a light burned in a window. Without pausing an
instant, he took the still form in his arms and hastened towards it.

All unconscious of the struggle for life going on so close to her, Lucy
Ashford sat working busily, her pretty face lifted to the clock every
minute or so, as she waited for her husband to return.

The children were in bed, and Jessica was just coming down the tiny
staircase when a sharp knock sounded at the outer door, causing Lucy to
drop her work in her usual terror at any unexpected sound.

The shop had been closed, it was too late for rural customers, and
wondering who it could be, she took up her candle and went to the door.

Timidly she pulled back the latch and peered out. A gentleman stood on
the threshold with his face towards the river. At the sound of the
opening door, he turned. Down wen