in the situation in
which Vic was placed. Nor did he refer to the old man's maudlin demand
that he should take care of Dennie if she were left fatherless, and of
his sworn promise to do so.

Burgess felt as, if the Dean's black eyes would burn through him,
so steady was their gaze while the story was being told. When he had
finished, Lloyd Fenneben said quietly:

"You are worn out with the excitement of the day and night. Go home and
rest now. I've learned through many a struggle, that what I cannot
fight to a finish in the darkness, I can safely leave with God till the
daylight comes."

The smile that lighted up the stern face and the firm handclasp with
which Lloyd Fenneben dismissed the young man were things he remembered
long afterward. And above all, he recalled many times a sense of secret
shame that he should have felt degraded because of his association with
Dennie Saxon on this day. But of this last, the memory was stronger than
the present realization.

Meanwhile, as the mad waters surged around the bend in the river, and
swept over the shallows, Victor Burleigh flung his arm around Elinor
Wream and leaped back from the very edge of doom.

"We must climb the bluff again. Be a good Indian!" he cried, groping for
a footing.

Climbing the west bluff by daylight for the sake of adventure was very
unlike this struggle in the darkness to escape the widening river, with
a wind-driven torrent of rain sweeping down the land behind the first
storm-fury, and Elinor Wream clung to her companion's arm almost
helpless with fear.

"Do you think you can ever get us out? she asked, as the limestone ledge
blocked the way.

"Do you know what my mother named me?" The carelessness of the tone was
surprising.

"Victor!" she replied.

"Then don't forget it," Burleigh said. "It's a dreadfully rough way
before us, little girl, but we'll soon be safe from the river. Don't
mind this little bit of a storm, and you'll get personally conducted
into Lagonda Ledge before midnight."

In her sheltered life, Elinor had never known anything half so dreadful
as this storm and darkness and booming flood, but the fearlessness of
the strong man beside her inspired her to do her best. It was only two
hours since they were here before. How could she know that these two
hours had marked the crisis of a lifetime for Victor Burleigh. With a
friendly little pressure on his arm, she said bravely:

"I'd rather be here with you than over t