and you take the other, and we
must get out of this current whatever happens. As soon as we are out of
it we are safe. Oh, never mind the lightning, and don't listen to the
thunder."

"It almost blinds me," said Hughie, passing his hand across his eyes as
he spoke, dazzled by the vividness of the ever-increasing storm. Irene
gave him strict directions.

"You are strong," she said. "When you see me pull, you must pull, too,
and you must be very quick, for the nearer we get to the cascade the
swifter runs the current. On a calm day I could save you, there wouldn't
be a bit of fear; but on a rough day, in a storm like this, I mightn't
be able to manage it. Now then, a strong pull, and a pull all together!"

The boy obeyed her directions. Whatever she might have thought of him a
minute ago, he was indeed no coward. He pulled with all his might and
main. Irene did likewise, and in a few minutes' time they were out of
the dangerous current, in smooth water. But it was a close shave, and
the girl's hands trembled and for a minute she dropped her oar.

"Never mind," she said to Hughie.

"But you look as white as death, just as though you would faint. Did
that last flash touch your hair? It seemed to me that it was almost hot
on my cheeks."

"No, it wasn't that; and the storm is going off," said Irene. "Somehow I
am ashamed of myself. I oughtn't to have been so mean."

"Please tell me."

"I have tested you, and you are brave. You are not a coward like poor
Carter."

"Who is Carter?"

"A governess I once had. I took her on to the lake, and into the central
current, and she was in such terror! I wanted her to go away, and I
wouldn't get out of the current, however hard she implored. But I
promised to save her when we got among the breakers if only she would go
afterward. She promised, and I did save her, and she is all right now;
and Frosty--your dear Emily, I mean--and she are the best of friends.
And I am friendly with her, too. I have been much better lately--much
better since dear Rosamund came--only somehow I felt that you defied me,
and I wanted to test you. I have tested you, and I respect you, for you
weren't really frightened that time, and you did row all right. What a
strong arm you have! I wish I had an arm like that."

Hughie colored with absolute pleasure.

"You are a plucky un," he said; "but I didn't know that you really
wanted to drown me."

"Of course I didn't want to drown you. I knew a storm wa