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About Oregon City courier. (Oregon City, Or.) 1902-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1907)
.J.. , - At the Last Of the Ebb By Henry C. Rowland fHEN the quick-rising tropic eun had elaft tha velvet darkness 1I0 long, thin shadows, til Baronet and the Banker found the Countess and the Mate. Already the Inquisitive ripples of the rising tide were washing back, and forth the skirts of the Countess's pongee gown now wantonly uncovering the grace ful limbs, now deftly smoothing the sllk-lace trimmings over the dainty feet, uncertain whether the nln.y gar ment was to be regarded as a vanity or a shroud. She was lying on her side, with one rounded arm half hidden In a tangled masc of hair that matched tha sunrise; the other was clenched in the oold, Iron grasp of Jordan Knapp, the mate, whose massive frame was sprawled face downward, hla forehead resting on his other hand. Strewn along the beach were fragments of wreckage and the stove-up whale-boat, and all around was the soft, warm desolation of a South Sea Isle. A few hundred yards off the beaoh the giant comuers, opalescent In the early dawn thun dered aoross the reef and wore shat tered Into wavelets of fairy hues. Half-way between the reef and the beach the broken water swirled around a slender, tapering topmast, from the truck of which was flying a torn bur gee. When the bubbling spume of a breaking wave bad passed, there sud denly rose to view the splintered stump of another mast and slack ends of shrouds that writhed around It Ilka sea-snakes. The Baronet carries a, thin plank whittled shovelwlse, the blade of which was frayed and splintered from con tact with the hard-packed sand. The Banker carried a large sailor's pan dana, caught up at the oorners, and bulging from the personal effeots that he had taken from the drowned sailors whom they had Just Interred, When he saw the Countess, a corner of the ker chief slipped from his Angers, and tha pitiful little trinkets rolled anheaded across the shining sands. They tried to pry tha Masai atlf. fened fingers from their grip, and aa they were doing so be suddanly gasped and awoke. The Baronet handed him a little flask, and the Banker took the woman by the shoulders and dragged her ' above high-water mark. When he laid her down an eyelid fluttered. The Banker, with a beating heart, filled the hollow of his hands with sea-water. The Mate, leaning on his elbow, watched him sleepily and divined his intention. "Oood Lord! she's had water enough; try a little sunshine and whisky." "We thought, of oourso, you were Y)Oth drowned," murmured the Baronet. "Thought almost right," said the Mate; "might have been, so far as you were concerned. Why didn't you Walt for her?" "I don't know. I don't remember a great deal of what did happen. The boat was sinking as It was did sink In fact, before we had taken a dozen strokes," replied the Baronet, holding the llask to the Countess's lips, "Is he dead?" she asked feebly, "No, dearest; I am here, Bafp and sound," said the Banker soothingly, as he chafod her hands. "Oh, you I I do not mean you. I mean that gran' man who plunge after me as I struggle In the sea. You you go an' leave me to perish." "You are unjust, dear. I thought that you were In the boat." "Ah, yes when I call to you from the vessel. But I do not ask you this; I ask you If he llve7" "Yes, coleste, here he Is and none the worse for his ducking," said the Baronet. "What happiness mon Dleu! Jo suls tres fatlgude. Why I have the so great wish to sleep!" The long lashes drooped drowsily over the deep violet eyes, and a gentle little sigh was lost In the soft breeze that fanned In from the sea. The Mate, wntrhlng her apathetical ly, roused himself from his lethargy. "Let nor sleep right whore she Is. (live me your coat," Tho Hunker slipped it off, and the Mate folded It and placed it under the CouiiUish's head. She smiled drowsily and reached out a fluttering little hand. "Ah! It is you my presorver man cher ami!" "Thore, there; you're nil right now. Take a little nap; thnt's a good girl!" Ho rose stithy to his feet, and stretched otVth great arms above Ills head. Tho llaronet looked at him quizzi cally and smiled. "Don't you think that you are a lit tle proprietary In your manner, Knapp?" asked the Banker In a sulky voice. The Mate brought down his arms, threw out his chest, and stared at htm a moment. Tho deep lines on his face threw darker shadows, and the heavy brows came together. "Who's got a bettor right?" he growled. "It seems to mo thut as I am her llnno " "You're a Jim dandy fin nee. What made you leave her on the yacht?" "Oh, well, we won't argue that point. Hut Inasmuch as 1 am the owner and you " "Yes, I nm not disputing that the schooner was you schooner, nor the mate you mate. Hut you've got no schooner left, and therefore no mate, savvy?" "Hut your pay goes on Just the same," said the Hanker. "Oh, does It? Well, I'm no sea law yer, and I don't know whether I'm en titled to any iuui'j pay or not; hut It soems to me that I am entitled to some salvage on this little craft thut you ahundnned In a sinking condition," and the Mate Jerked his thumb at the Countess. "Oh, you do, eh? Well, you'd better stick to your pay, young man, It's more negotiable." The Mate studied the sand at his foet thoughtfully. "Hot anything to eat?" he asked presently. "One can of blsqults," said the Bar onet; "and there's a spring back from the beach a way." "Good! That's worth more to us than coin or countesses, Just now." The mate took a survey of as much of the Island as he could see. Then his eyes Inventoried the fragments uf wreckage along the beach. "Uninhabited, of course. Wouldn't support a Jack-rabbit so far as chow goes. And Just about enough flotsam to ferry one away! Gentlemen, the altuatlon has Ita drawbacks." "Aw J .we have observed that al- r fHEN w I I KIWI M 'tf ffiU.l M V -L?Ni MMKmmwuu - mW fill 1' -1 ' She ready," drawled the Baronet. "The Is land goes about as far as you can see In each direction. There is saved from the wreck of the yaoht ,one lady, five men, one can of biscuits, one boat compass, one hatchet, one dipper, a Jar of marmalade, and about a dozen matches besides such unlnventorled articles as ioay be scattered along the beach. Have you aw anything to suggest?" "Darn little," said the Mate, who had finished his survey. "There isn't enough material to work on." "Shall we carry the Countess to the camp?" asked the Banker. "Bettor carry the camp to the Countess," said tho Baronet. "It's more portable, and won't be disturbed by moving." "How much of a camp have you got?" asked the Mate. "An artist, a Jap mess boy, and tho articles before mentioned," replied the Baronet. The Banker sat on the sand, and with his shovel shielded the Countess's eyes from tho sun-rays. Tha Hnronet led tho Mate to tho camp, whore they found the Artist breakfasting on the sunriso tints over tho sea, while the .Inp, truo to his professional Instinct, was boiling eome wnter In a biscuit tin: There jeemed to he nothing be sldo tho water to boll, but presently the Jnp departed, and returned later with hnlf of a very dead fish, some mollusks, and a large crab. Jordnn Knapp eyed the crab with animosity. "Don't cook that thing. The others may bo safe, but that fish doesn't look like a good convalescent diet." "Maybe we can boll the ptomaines nil out of him." said the Baronet; "and when tho Countess Wakes tip, Bhe'll want something mure nourishing than wet biscuits. ' "Well, since she hasn't been present at the autopsy It may bo good for her," answered the Mate, doubtfully. "Boll up tho whole business, barring the crab, and then thicken the mess with biscuit crumbs." "Is the Countess hurt?" asked the Artist languidly. "No," answered the Mate, shortly. 'She's sort of dissolved, but otherwise all taut." The three men sat down and watched the preparation of the chowder In si lence. Knapp meanwhile munching a biscuit. Presently he nrose. "I'm going to take a pnsear around the Island. Want some exercise?" he asked the Baronet. "Thanks, awfully; but I've had enough for mie day. I fancy. It doesn't take long to dn the place. You can walk all tho way around It In twenty minutes." Knapp picked up the cover of the biscuit tin. and, going to the water's edge, tilled It carefully, and placed It In the sun. "What's that for?" asked the Artist. "Salt." The llaronet nodded. "What are the chances of being taken off. Knann?" he asked. "Darn slim. Accidental, you might say. Everything passing gives this Island a wide berth on account of the others on either side of us. Now. Itl we could manage tn get to the next Island; but I don't quite see how w can." He wandered 01C down the beach. When he returned an hour later, the Countess and the Hunker had Joined the group around tho tire. There were dark shadows under the yea of the Countess, but her face was almost hlldlsh In Its animation. "Nevttlr have I taste' a dr.leuner so good!" she cried, ns she set down the shell which contained the last of her howder." "AJi! here Is my preserver. ltonjour, m'sleu. Hefure 1 am so faiuguce 1 cannot express my thanks." She roso to her feet and dropped a courtesy, while the vivacity of her fea turned and faced them defiantly; tures softened for an Instant. "And what it Is that you have In the pan uela?" She gathered her Bklrts in both hands, and thrust out her pretty head Inquisitively. 1 "Something to bring back your strength again, Countess fresh-laid from our farm," said the Mate. He set down the bundle, out of which rolled several large, round eggs. "Right you are turtles' eggs, by Jove!" exclaimed the Baronet When the eggs were cooked and eaten, a better feeling seemed to per vade the castaways. In their hunger none but the economical Jap observed that the Mate ate but one egg. The Countess dropped off into a doze and the others soon followed all but the Mate, who arose and searched the horizon with a cold, gray anxious eye. Soon he stole away from the others, and prowled the beach, dragging frag ments of wreckage away from the reach of the tide, searching shell-heap und riffle for objects of use. His hard face lightened, as, wading waist deep, he dragged from the water the sail of one of the boats and spread It out to dry. Three oars and a bucket were the next treasures. Later, he almost howled with Joy as hl3 eye fell upon a mass of cordage and a hatch tai- paulin. When the others awoke, he Bet them all to search for turtles' eggs and any thing else the grudging sea might give up. The Banker got more Joy from finding a water-logged cask than ever the negotiation of a loan had given him, and the Baronet would not have exchanged the sailor's dunnage-bag he found for a quarter's rent-roll. The Artist, who said that he did not feel equal to Joining In the search, amused the Countoss by modeling the wet sand Into profiles of the others. Only the little Jap, turn by turn and twist by twist, unraveled long cotton cords from the sull-cloth, wove them cunningly Into a plaited line, bent a nail from a washed-up box, batted It with a piece of mollusk, and, wading Into the sea, soon booked a large fish of shining hues. Far away on the horizon a hazy bluish cloud marked the location of an Island to the eastward, and later In the day another appeared to the north. These gave foothold to the Imagina tion and robbed the sea of Its appar ent loneliness. The Countess folt that but for these Islands she would go mad from fear and desolation. But she prattled, Joyously, and praised the others for their finds. When toe shonl-green of the sea turned to deep ultramarine and the golden sands began to purple, they dliied upon the rest of the eggs and cautiously upon the fish, for tropic seu-food Is sometimes better to admire than to eat. The little Jap appeared with two ripe palm-nuts, gleaned from the hnlf-dor.en trees upon the Island, und none but he appeared once more to notice that the Mate's appetite was not In proportion to his efforts. A lean-to was constructed uf the tar. paulln, and the dried sail furnished a common coverlet to all but the Count ess, for whom the Mate cut off a sep- urate generous slice. The Mote sat j piece of canvas? Who'd ever think with his back to a tree, and fed the that it could be so cold down here In tire with tiny scraps of brushwood. the tropics!" he grumbled. "You know When all were sleeping, the Count-my lungs aren't very strong. Celeste, ess suddenly awoke, chilled to the bone 'and the first thing you know I'll be from contact with the cold sand which having pneumonia." the sun-warmth had long since left. I He tugged the scrap of sail partly The tire was almost dead, and beside off the Baronet. "I say, Knapp, Just the smoldering ashes lay Jordan tuck that thing around my feet, will Knapp. face downward, and sleeping I you? I believe I'm going to have a heavily. Ills great shoulders were out- lehlll! Heat up the rest of that chow lined against the'moonllt sky. and aa dor for me. Celeste. D the luck, he breathe.! deeply and silently shejanyway! You bet that the next time I could see them rise and fall against 1 hire any officers for a. yacht I'll get the white horizon. As she watched, 'men with the proper licenses, and Tho I hi cold to move, a shudder shook theiknow their business. It's all your fault, great frame; he turned partly on hla I Celeste. If you'd only been content to lde. and drew In his limbs to warm, go right back this never would have his body, I happened. Why dou't you ht up The Countess crept softly out, and threw a few sticks on the Are. As she slipped from beneath the edge of her ooverlet a dark object across It caught her eye. It was the Mate's coat, and another glance "showed her that he slept In his tin shirt, open at the neck. She picked up the coat and held It over the coals of the fire. , When It seemed that the heat had penetrated every fibre she spread it gently across the shoulders of the Mate, noticing as she did so that the cotton shirt was clammy from the dew. Almost as the garment touched him the Mate was broad awake, up on one knee, and tense as a forestay. "Oh! It la you," he whispered, recog nizing her in the moonlight. "I thought that I was In China again with Boles, and that the river pirates pshaw! I'm half asleep still. What's the matter, Countess?" "Dleu! I have so cold I may not sleep. Perhaps I have sleep enough In the day. What pity I arouse you, cher ami! But you shiver In your sleep, and you have put your coat across my knee," she added reproach fully. "I don't mind the cold," said the Mate almost roughly; "and I ought to have kept the fire up, but I was sort of sleepy,. I guess." He was building the feeble flames as he spoke. "I'll make you a comfortable bed to-morrow, Countess, built up off the ground and thatched out with palm leaves. Seems like I might have thought of It befsre, but I was busy saving Junk that we may need." "How long you think we must re main on this lclan'?" asked the Count oss, holding her palms to the flowing blaze. "Not long, I reckon," he answered reassuringly. "We'll start to knock the pieces of the boat together to morrow, and then we'll work our pas sage along this chain of Islands until we strike an Inhabited one. Maue can't be more than three hundred miles to the eastward, and the natives there are friendly." "But the boat how without tools may you make him sea-deserving?" "Seaworthy? oh, there are nails In the wreckage, and I can chip these shells Into tools; and I have my knife." "It will be a task like 'The Tollers of the Sea.' You have read that book?" "Yes; but there are several of us, and we have a sail and can wait for a fair wind. It will be easy enough. Don't worry, Countess, you'll be In 'Frisco In a couple of months." 'I do not worry when you are near. J-Jordtn Knapp." she added softly. 'That's a brave girl." said the Mate, patting her hand. "Now you must go to sleep again." The Countess made no reply, but gazed out over the still, moonlit sea. The Hanker , awoke with a gasp. "Are you awake. Knapp?" he asked querulously. "I'm as cold aa death. Can't you build up that fire?" He raised himself on his elbow und saw the Countess. , "If you're going to sit up by the lire, Celeste, do you mind If I take your something, Celeste? Sa 70 want Bia to have a " "Shut up" growled tha Mate. "Eh I What's that7" "Shut up, or I'll ooma over there 'and twist your neckl Savvy?" "What 'do you mean? b that tha way " "Shut ye mouth, d'ye heart The Countess's got enough to bother her without your drool!" The Banker glared across tha flrellt spaoa, then grumbled off to sleep again. The Countess gazed pensively at the moon, and than turned to the Mate. He rose suddenly, picked up tha Countess's poor little canvas coverlet and held It to the blaza, then wrapped It gently around her and drew her up to him. "Put your head on my lap so. Now turn your back to the Are so." The fire was behind her, and the broad chest of the Mate sheltered her from the night breeze. "But you Jordln Knapp you can not sleep so!" "Never fear, child; go to sleep." His voice waa kind, but imperative. "Ah, mon ami, nevalr was I so com fortable." She gave a' little sigh, and the eyelids fluttered down. The flames 'grew brighter. Soon she slept, and after a little the Mate's chin sank on his chest, and he, too, slept. So until the morning, when the Baronet awoke. He looked at them keenly In the early dawn, and the smile that parted his patrician lips was not altogether ironical. H. A week passed, and no errant sail clove the distant sky-line. The supply of turtles' eggs was gone, and the fish caught by the Jap seemed a very lone ly member of his species. The cast aways ate but twice a day, and then scantily. The llnea under tha Count ess's eyea deepened, and new ones ap peared in the rugged face of the Mate. He mads a bold pretense of eating and only two of the party saw the de ception) but as ha grew daily more cadaverous his energy seemed to In crease, With Infinite toll he bad chip ped some of tha broad sea-shells Into the semblance of tools a saw, a chisel and an adze. Nails were Crawn or dug from box and cask, the smashed ends of the boat neatly spliced and caulked with cotton fibres. On the ninth day a bright Idea sud denly seized the Baronet He called the Banker, the Artist, and the Mate aside. "I say, you chaps, I've been thinking that the grub la getting Jolly low, and that the Countess is not getting enough to eat. She's a game 'little thing, and never whimpers; but she's going downhill fast. We men have got to out down our rations what?' Knapp smiled a tired smile. "Women don't need as much food as men, anyway. You'll And It in the physiologies," "'began the Banker. "You're right, Sir Henry," interrupt ed the Mate; "We'll make you commis sary ofHoer, and let you dole out the chuck." The Artist nodded a moody assent, and walked off up the beach. When they had trimmed down the fore and after fragments of the boat all that remained to spllee was about four feet of the after, and about the same length of the forward section. At the most, with the greatest econ omy of their scant material, the boat when completed would not be more than eight feet over all. The peculiar design, afur they had ..pieced the fragments, brought .a smile to the Hps of the Mate, although its size gave him food for reflection. "Looks like a bait car," he remarked to the Baronet, "or a punch-bowl. "Knapp, if you mention that word 'punch' I will attack you. with this prehistoric weapon!" replied the Bar onet, wielding his neolithic stone maul, made of rounded rock lashed in the end of a cleft stick. While they worked wearily tho Ar tlst suddenly fainted. They carried him Into the shade, and the Countess bathed his forehead until conscious ness returned. He gazed dreamily up at the sunlight that, filtered through the plain leaves over his head In green and yellow bands. 'Countess," he asked, presently, "do you believe in God, and heaven, and all that?" Certoinement, mon cher," she an swered in surprise. 'So do I, and I think God must have the artistlo spark. No one but a great master could get such wonderful symphonies of color. Just see the play of color In the surf as It breaks, and consider the accuracy In the values of blues and greens over our heads. Who ever saw a clash or chroiuat.c alscosd In a sunset? Or in wild flowers, or the leaves In the autumn? Yes; God is a great artist and a musician, and all that is broad and comprehensive. Do you suppose tl. t the mind that conceived such wonders could mis- Judge a motive or direct the destiny of souls by a rule of three?" The Countess's violet eyes grew round. 'Ah! but you must not try to think of such mysteries now. Rest, mon cher; sleep, and rest your tired brain." I will, soon," drawled the Artist, and lazily closed his eyes. That evening the Artist .vas the life of the whole party. The Mate, who had never approved of him, listened in amazement and Joy to his sudden How of wit and gaiety. Then to the astonishment of all. Just as they were about to prepare for Bleep he sug- guested prayers. Ah, yes; let us supplicate le bon Dieu!" exclaimed the Countess. What rot!" grumbled the Banker. I say, It can't do you any harm, you know!" said the Baronet, as one inspired by a sudden new Idea. Knapp rose slowly to his feet and took off his cap. Our Father " he began, and the others Joined In; all but the Banker, who took the opportunity to clean the Countess's unfinished chell of chow der. "The Lord's Prayer doesn't seem to quite fill all ef the requirements." heerfully remarked the Mate when he. had finished, Dut us me only one 1 know; and, after all, the 'daily bread' part Is the most Important for us." When they awoke In the morning the Artist was missing. The Countess was the first to find his writing In the sand. "Dear friends," It read, "this Is to apologize for leaving you so abruptly, but l"e Uwt my nurve. iLiLapp THE WONDERFUL HEMSTITCHER By Which Perfect Hemstitching Can Be Done On Family Sewing Machines With Perfect Ease and Rapidity. This is something that every woman who owns a sewing machine has long wanted a practical attachment for hem stitching.' We guarantee the Krag to work to your entire c , , sn satisfaction and that it will do Sent posipzld on 50 hemstitching more even and receipt of price, regular than you can do it by hand. If you do any sewing at all, you will find it an im mense help, a great money-saver and an easy and inexpe sive way of making even the plainest material rich and beau if ul. Write for Booklet and Samples of Hemstitching The booklet thoroughly describes the Hemstitcher and method of use, and shows numerous photographs of garments produced by it. The. samples of hemstitching show actual work done on a sewing machine with the Krag Hemstitcher. UNIVERSAL HEMSTITCHER CO,, 18 West 30th Street, New York the" boat can only safely carry four possibly five.1 The grub is getting low and I'm sick of chowder; besides, my demand is greater than my supply. Love to all. May God bless you, and get you safely out of the mess! Au revoir." The "au revoir" was no sarcasm. Late in the afternoon the Artist 1 turned from the sea, and they found him with his black hair full of eand, and a sea-gull on his chest. The next day the Mate, with a smile at the Countess, pronounced the boat to be "sea-deserving." Then they spent three days In catching fish, which they dried In the sun. It was easier to catch the fish, now that they had a boat. Several bottles that had washed ashore, and the biscuit tin, were filled with water from the spring, which day by day was dwindling as the dry sea son advanced. Another day was spent in waiting for a fair breeze and re caulklng the boat. They towed her to the leeward side of the Island, and there the Countess, the Banker, the Baronet, and the Jap embarked. The Baronet kept his face averted, and when the tried to answer a question of the Countess's his voice choked. Is It that you have grown fond of this beautiful islan'?" she demanded, half Jokingly, half in surprise. "J-J-Jordln, what do you make? Get In the boat!"- , "No," said the Mate, "I'm going to stop here until you send a schooner for me. It won't be very long. This tub wouldn't be safe with my extra weight In her when it breezes up this afternoon." He was wading behind the boat, shoving her through the shal lows ahead of him. The Countess could not see his face as he was lean ing over, the better to throw his weight against the stern. "You're all right now. There's noth ing more that I can do. Sir Henry un derstands about the courses, and as soon as you get clear of the island you can hoist your sail and get a fine fair wind. When you get to Maue you can send a schooner " "Celeste, sit down!" snapped the Ranker. "You'll upset the boat if you don't look out!" 'Yes, sld donf, Celeste," said the Baronet. "We've arranged It all, and It's the best way " Splash! The Countess had leaped nimbly Into the water and 'was wad- ling, waist deep, back to the beach before the Mate could intercept her. At the edge of the water she turned. "And you would ' leave J-J-Jordin Jnapp so alone, desolated even as you left me on the vessel? Mais non! He have stay by me, an' I will remain with him. Think, mes amis, what It would be alone on this terrible Is lan' at night, with the moaning of the sea!" She burst Into a storm of tears The Mate turned to her fiercely. Celeste, do as I tell you! Get In that boat; do you want to make me . Oh, go, for heaven's sake. Can't you see that you're only making It worse?" The Banker said nothing. . "I say,, do be reasonable; why do you want to make it so hard for us, Ce leste?" crie.d the Baronet, with a Queer vibration in his voice. The drooping head came proudty up. The bare, gleaming arms .flashed down and outward. She turned and faced them defiantly, her back to the man she would not desert, her bosom rising and falling.' Before her stretclied sal vation and the sea; behind, the green walls of her prison. Her thin, tattered gown hung in rage, whllte at her feet the glowing sands pressed hot kisses where the frail satin slippers had worn away. The rising trade-wind blew her awny hair about her face. "You ask me why I remain? I tell you. It Is because that If I go I aif the base Ingrate. This man have risked his life for me when his blood run quick, an' when his life is low he give me his blood, drop by drop. Day hy day he starve himself an' he think I do not see. Ver' many times he bring me food an' say he have eat plenty, but I know It is only his din unr Licii ha fciv. I am cold La. oover ma with bia ooat an' shiver; when X am trlsta ha tall ma tha droll story, an' say how soon X will be home. An' now ha have put everything of food an' shelter in tha bateau, an' an' you ask me that X laave him " Her voice choked, and aha oovered her face with her banda. Tha Mate dug bia foot In tha sand, and gnawed tha and oi bia new brist ling mustache, "Is there any other reason, Celeste?" ha asked In-a voloa like tha echo of the aurf. She raised her bead, and the sun light shone on her face. The little hands were tightly clasped. "Ah, yes; there is more. X have known many men in many country, many who have the wit, the resource, the courage, ho heart of gold. But never have I known a man who have them all, as this gran' man; and he has, besides " she turned and cov ered her face with her hands "mon coeur,!" she sobked softly. "Oh, h 1" growled the Banker; "let's go I" "Good-by, children," called the Bar onet. "We'll have a schooner here for you in a fortnight!" He dug his oar blade in the hard packed sand, when suddenly a feeble spark of decency flared up from deep in the Banker's sordid soul. "If Celeste's not coming, we might bjave her a ration," he muttered. "I say, by Jove! that's so what? There's some hope for you yet, old man," said the Mate genially to tha Banker. "Who's going to chaperon you two until the schooner comes?" asked the Baronet Jocosely. "This!" said the Mate, In a deep toned voice. He snapped a cord about his neck and drew forth a heavy golden ring. The blue eyes of the. Countess opened wide. "It was my mother's, Celeste. Will you wear It for me always?" She put her hand in his. "Yes, J-J-Jordln Knapp." The busy little Jap, who had been swabbing the boat dry, leaped to his feet so quickly that he almost had a capsize. "iJeeee yah!" he squealed, pointing seaward. The Mate's keen eye was the first to follow the boy's. "SAIL, O!" he roared in a voice that sounded like a cry of pain. Suddenly 'he threw his hands above his head. "They've come for us! The other boat's been picked up! What? what?" He did a beach dance that would shame a cannibal. The Banker stared out to sea as If uncertain of hla part of the play. Close to the shore the placid waters lay pearly gray, still unawakened in the shadow of the palms. Beyond, the sparkling waves danced sun-klssed-and Joyous with the life of the growing day. Far on the low horizon a widen ing band of ultramarine marked the advent of the trade-wind, and over the skyline a pink puff rose steadily over the ocean's brim. . Larger it grew, coursing in the wake of the breeze, and soon the darker speck that marked the hull appeared.' On she came, her topsails shot with the naming crimson of the sunrise, and soon a snowy streak beneath her fore foot showed e.ach onward rush. Close grouped, as If to concentrate their sight, they feaated with ther eyes until tha Countess's grew so dim she could not see. A little, sob struggled to eecapa, and at the sound the Mate and the Banker turned to her. The eyes of the two men met in a look dif ferent from that thrown seaward. "Well," said the Banker, "there's no need for heroes after alL We'll all go together, and let's try to forget this chapter. I say we call everything that's happened on this blooming Is land off. Celeste, don't cry, my " The Mate's arm encircled the Count ess. She turned to the Banker. "Ah. yes, mon cher! It shall be as you wish. Everything Is off but the ring!" she added softly, turning to the Mate. i&pyrlsut. & & McCiure Caji
