Trudie Zirbel’s Miraculous Rescue of Mildred and Gracie

“This afternoon as Trudie walked on buried in thought, her steps turned half unconsciously to the lagoon, Suddenly she stopped, listening. “I'm sure I heard someone call,” she said shading her eyes to look out over the water. “Yes, there is a boat. Why, I do believe it's Mildred Whitney in the ‘Daisy’ and it is leaking. I wonder if didn't know it was condemn And great heavens, she has Gracie with her. She is dip water with her hat and is cal for help.” All this Trudie too! at the first glance. Common sé told her the danger was imminent and that something must be done at once. She looked about frantically but no one was in sight. She knew if she went to the village for help it would be too late. The girl was no coward so she did not hesitate after fully taking in the situation, but summoning all her strength and courage she loosened her cousin’s skiff and pushed resolutely off to save the girl who had ignored her... With a wild prayer in her hte.c she called out, “I’m coming, Mildred, but keep on dipping. Dip for your lives.” Mildred tried to obey, but Gracie clung to her neck in fear, and she could do very little. Slowly, but surely, the boat was going down, down... She was straining every nerve and muscle to the utmost, but there was still some distance to be made and she did not know how long she could hold out. Suddenly there was a wild scream from Mildred. Evidently she had just perceived how great was their peril. “O, God, we are lost,” she cried, frantically. “Save Gracie! Save Gracie!’ she called out in desperation, and with horror Trudié saw that she was preparing to leap from the boat toward her. “Don’t!” she cried, and not daring to look to see if her command was obeyed she pushed on with one last mighty effort and reached the sinking skiff just in time to take the child which Mildred held out to her, and to drag the half-fainting Mildred herself in after. — The Young Woman's Journal 21:4”