The National tribune., 1885-04-02

talking about him without requiring any spec
ial reply.
"Joe is a little impulsive and reckless. per-
baps." said Phil, but he is a capital SWIM
mer."
q 1t is growing coldr said Miss Mortimer.
contracting her shoulders in that graceful way
that some women have of making even shiver
attractive.
Phil remembered with remorse that her wrap
was hanging forgotten upon his arm. He
hastened to put it about her shoulders. but the
wind, which was rising to gale, made the
effort prolonged one
Don't You hate the windp" said Miss Nor
timer, coquettishly.
al am never un grateful" said Phil. capturing
The ends of the shawl again, and holding them
fast this time about her slender form. keen
look of incipont triumph flashed from Miss
AIortimer's eyes. Pills words always seemed
to mean so much more than they SAID. And
she could not, unfortunately see that his eyes
were still looking fiXedly over her head upon
the water beyond the surf.
A shaft or two of wild light flashed down
upon the scene. An ominous rumble from
clouds mingled with the roar of the sea. Sud
denly the earth and sky were enveloped in
binding glare In this spectral light Phil dis
tinctly saw Jpe Barrett fling his arms wildly
aloft and disappear in the darkness.
Phil threw off his shoes and his coat as he
ran to the sea- and Miss Mortimer had great
difficulty is rescuing his vest which was nearly
carried out 70 sea by returning wave. Her
costume was drenched with the spray and she
nearly lost her footing, but she saved the waist
coat which contained Phils watch and other
valuabes Then.she hurried to the shelter of
the bathing houses, for the rain now began to
fall heavily Through the hlacknesS Of the
storm she saw the white face of a woman. Miss
Mortimer knew that it was Mrs Barrett run
ming wildly down to the water hut she at
tempted no rcmonstrance. She had made up
hot oF fl,nr r.urfx- at fhat
down to the sea that day two would probably
never return, perhaps three. 1t was impossible
to say what might happen where such lmpui-
siye people were concerned.
Some men from the inn were now hurrying
to the scene of peril and, finding it impossible
to induce Mrs. Barrett to seek shelter, had
thrown about her rough taroaulin, from the
rough folds of which her haggard face and wind
blown hair was sorry sight to see.
The two bodies were now coming in atop of
the foaming surf, with no help or hindrance of
their own. and, closely locked together, were
swept swiftly ashore with other prey of the
elements They were narrowly rescued from
the greedy nav of the returning wave and car
ried with all speed to the little inn, where
everything was in readiness to restore con-
sciousness to the one and foster it in the other
The storm passed away as suddenly as it
came The pale glow of the twilight deepened
into night There was no moon, but the stars
shone over the bay and harbor and the dusky
little promontory. To look at the gentle ripple
of waves lapping lazly along the soft white
sand Phil could hardly believe that so little
time ago two ricn had been done almost to their
death. He could scarcely stagger ont into the
wooden porch of the inn TO breathe the cold,
sea-scented air. And as for joe God only knew
what would befali him. He had been brought
back to life, but not to consciousness Polly
had managed to get word to the town physi-
clan, but the way was long and the sand was
heavy.
It must have been about midnight; Phil
could not tell The exact time. His watch was
in his vaistccat, under Miss Mortimer's head,
In the bed ol the landady. Phil had told them
not 30 awaken Miss Mortimer, under any cir
cumstances: be was so glad that she was leep
and it would be impossible to say how glad
he was.
The latch Of the door clicked behind him.
Pills heart sank. He was afraid Miss Morti-
mer had, after all, been awakened. But fall
tering, uncertain step reached him, and the
cold little hand of Polly Barrett clutched his
arm.
ANY one but Phil would never have known
her. The last remnant of her soft round come
illness seemed swept away with the storm. All
her womanly erimps and fripperies were gone.
She wore an ill-fitting gown of the landlady.
Her whole face was of wan, gray pallor, like
the waves under the cold light of the stars.
SIS Joe better?" stammered Phil. Does he
know"
" He knows everything and perhaps he's
better. Oh. Phil Phill' Polly repressed her
sobs and rnotoned Phil to the door. ' he is
determined | shall try and get some SLEEP, and
you shall watch with him for a while AS if l
could sleep! Bat go TO him, Phil; don't thwart
him-ga."
Phil went in TO Joe. He will never forget
the lOY-ceiled room, the two wooden chairs
the pine table wilerecn a mop OF @ged wick
sputtercd from d saucer of oil, the bottle OF
liquor within reach, and the green
glass, the tall grim old clock in the corner
ticking off the seconds. and Joe's ghaStly face
and m0tiOnless form upon the camp cot in the
corner. Joe tried to stretch out his hand to
Phil, but it fell back heavily upon the patch
work quit of the landlady.
You did your best, Phil" he said you
brought me ashore, but the trouble was done
ont there: something seized me, God knows
what-paralysis. cramps, palsy-who tell ?
Anyway, rm done for, old man. | can't move
muscle below. It's a mere question of time,
Phil, and We can afford to lose any"
:" hope you're wrong, Joe Wen know
better when the doctor comes You were right
not 10 tell Polly. But she must come to sou,
Joe"
Phil would have gone at onre for Polly, but
something in Joes face held him back.
Hold on a bit, Phil. / didn't send for you
and drive Polly away TO tell you something
that You'll both know soon enough. There's a
there like plummet of lead all these years.
Listen to me, and don't interrupt me if you
can help it Give me some of that stuff from
the bottle, and when l grow weaker give me
more"
Phil lifted Joe's head and put the glass to
his lips; then he sat down upon the edge of
the cot, leaving his arm between Joe's neck
and the plllow. Joe could feel PILLS pulse
now, and the loyal heart of his friend beating
close TO his GwG.
It's % years, Phil" said Joe. 'sinre that
night we drove down to the shore here and had
that talk together. You remember il, Phiif"
"Yes, Joe"
"Ah you'ye remembered il too well Phil:
Pye tried hard enough. God knows to make
yOu forget. The was sinking over yonder
in the far west. and sky and sea were all afiame
Some feecy clouds dropped low over the old
shed where we had ordered some CLANS. / re-
member when / saw Polly thai night The
dress she wore was like stab to me: il was OF
some soft, floating material that reminded me
of the woolly clouds over the old shed. You
didn't eat the CLANS, Phil. You daliied with
the shells and turned them over with the queer
old fork they had given you. Aud all at once
you put them aside and lighted cigar and
turned your face TO tho Sea and began to talk
of woman you secretly loved. Now give me
some wine, Phil"
Phil pat the glass again TO .Joe's lips. "Don't
talk amy rsere. Joe, Ec said. Let me go for