Part 26 (1/2)

”I wonder, too So, and sometimes I believe that I could be as wild and turbulent as the river is to-day”

Beyond the gorge the river widens out into a broad estuary before it enters the sea It is across this estuary that the lower bridge has been built Just below it is the bar, where river and sea were battling in a wild confusion

When Kathleen saw that the bridge was half subh not to be coh the gorge, she reined her horse in

”We must turn round and ride home the e came,” she said

”Turn around? Why should we? I intend to cross I can see Denis Quirk on the farther bank”

”And he is warning us to turn back,” said Kathleen

”Thethat Sylvia was deterside of Sylvia's, and seized her friend's rein

”You shall not go on!” she cried

”Let go of nised the note of anger in the voice, and saw that the custo, and that there was a line of determination on the usually smooth forehead But this did not influence her

”No I will not let go,” she replied

Sylvia Jackson raised her whip Once it fell s a red wheal; still Kathleen held on But when the bloas repeated more viciously than before, with a cry of pain she released the rein

”Do you iine you can stop me, with Denis Quirk on the other side?”

Sylvia asked, and urged her horse on to the flooded bridge I have already said that Sylvia was not an expert rider; her horse realised the fact, and faced the water with a snort of terror The handrail of the bridge alone appeared above the ed occasionally as a wave rolled up froe

The horse began to rear in terror, threatening every e into the strea but follohile from the further bank a small collection of men and women watched in a panic that prevented action But Denis Quirk was quick of thought and pro the flooded bridge towards Sylvia

”Sit still!” he cried ”Keep your rein loose, and get your feet free fro, Sylvia obeyed him He attempted to seize the horses' rein, but the ani away froed to throw his ar her frohtened by his action or bewildered by the water, the horse reared over the handrail into the flooded river He ashed aled to reach the further shore, and gallop home to his stable at ”Layton”

Denis Quirk carried Sylvia across the bridge, followed by Kathleen, whose horse went quietly through the flood secure in his rider's co the farther side, Denis realised that Sylvia had fainted There was, however, a sirl, safe in a kindly landlady's care

He found Kathleen dis from her horse, her face very pale froer had caused her

”Why did you allow her to do such a foolish thing?” he asked, abruptly

Kathleen held her hand, with the ht It was not for her to tell him how her atteainst e,” she answered

”Even for you it was ato do,” he said ”You can never trust a horse in such a flood as this I have telephoned for the o hoe of your horse

You have causedKathleen scarcely able to control her mortification and annoyance Denis Quirk had, she told herself, disregarded her danger, and spoken to her like a disobedient child By what right did he lecture her or hold her responsible for Sylvia's wilfulness? When the landlady came to ask if she would coue to refuse but she restrained herself by a great effort, and went into the roo placidly As Kathleen entered, tears came into her eyes, and she asked in a penitent voice:

”Can you ever forgiveyou But no one has ever atte o on I have been sufficiently punished”