The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-02

| her, while all remained still and golden at
| the island. But by the time the sail had
| disappeared behind Indian Pipe Rock the
| Wind was surging through the trees and
| crisping the waters on the island shores.
i. The breeze continued to freshen all the
afternoon. Everything had been packed
| that could be then, and Dan was to come
( over in the morning to assist the sloop's
men in shipping the goods. So they had
the sensation OF ease and quiet one OF
pleasure with a lash ofindefinable sadness.
They kept together instinctively, walked
awhile on the sands, sat looking out at the
boat hat went swiftly near and lar, not
caring to read or talk much.
By and by they went in and prepared @
supper for three.
BY the time they came out again it was
blowing very hard and there was quite q
surf on the outer shore. There was no sign
Of the boat, and after a while they took
their own tea and busted themselves with
their few cares. looking out occasionally
Tor the boat, but expected it less and less.
Finally they gave it up and went about
closing the shutters or the lower windows
and fastening the doors, and made some
little things ready for the morning. Then
they made themselves comfortable in the
room over the kitchen, which was wa"m
from the cooking fire below. They talked
awhile, as Adela mended Il rent in her dress,
then settled themselves for a good long
read, taking turns at the book. The wind
and waves without made a hurly-burly
that shut them in and they enjoyed their
pleasant story with a cosy sense OF comfort
and a trusting, warm-hearted companion
ship. Yet there was a tacit agreement be-
tween them that bedtime should be indefi-
nitely postponed. So they read on and on
and hours passed.
BY and by Gala was reading and found
the interest flag somewhat, but kept along
till the consciousness came to her that
Adela was very still, and turning she saw
that the bright eyes were dropped, the fine
head fallen back upon the chair and the
breathing regular and deep. A fond smile
came into Calais eyes as she watched the
dear sleeping face, and then tender and
more sober thoughts OF what they had been
and were to one another and OF some other
things looked out from those same pure
windows. She forgot time and place in Il
long waking dream.
aware that the wind had much abated.
The trees still rustled outside, but the q lick
surging OF the waters on the beach was
clear and distinct from the wind which be-
fore had overwhelmed It,. She looked at
the time and found it was nearly l O'Clock.
She went and looked out (there was no
shutters on the upper windows). The
clouds were beginning to scatter and she
could dimly see the dark and tumbled bay.
She peered more and more keenly, shading
her eyes. She came back and put out the
light and went quickly and looked out
again. Then she came and shook Adela
and spoke to her quickly, yet in a way
that Weakened her thoroughly, and Adela
asked:
"What is the matter? Why have you
| put out the light?'
Come and look out" Gala said.
The two stood together at the window Of
the dark room and pecred out upon the
vague and troubled waters. A broad shad-
owy sail stole across the view like a ghost;
| They watched it glide past slowly, close on
the wind. 1t went about presently and
came directly toward the house, rounded
to and came to anchor a little to the west.
ward. The girls heard the rattle OF the
running chains. Instintively they graspec
| for each others hands and turned away.
They went down and barred the halldool
and assured themselves hat all was as Sc
secure as they could make it. They wen1
up and listened again, heard distinctly fol
a moment the chock Of oars, lost it behinG
the bluffs and after an anxious waiting
heard a nearer and startling sound, tn,
crunching OF heavy feet.
Then ensue al hour or more of terror
and disquiet that can only be limited a
here. They quickly made out that the.
were two men and that Lane Applegat'
was one.
What an anxious watching and listen
ing, what stealthy and fearful movement
from window to window, what sudde,
alarms and ugly imaginings in periods O
quiet and strains, resolves, suspenses, plans
panics, indignations they endured, as tn
two ruffians tried every way to find al en-
trance below, talked and consulted
together, got II ladder and mounted tn,
veranda, whose crazy roof crushed unde
them. How the girls climbed out then iron
Il rear window directly upon the cliff ant
went over it at whatever risk, clasped to
gether face upon face, and fell, slid, rolled
to the shore fifty feet below-the readers
imagination must fill out.
When Landon had got his baggage up tc
the railroad station by Dams help thai
afternoon, he had an hour or two to wal
for his train, and walked back to the land
in. with Dan. Then, as he stood ready tt
cast off he took IL sudden resolve an(
sprang aboard and went out to spend {
night at the lighthouse.
He walked alone on the point late that
night. 1t was a narrow, low sand beach
and the gale blew free across it, raised 6
regular surf all around, and drove thu
spray clear over it from water to water
1t was very much like walking dry-shod il
the midst OF the sea, and the wild tumult
all about him somehow harmonized will
and at the same time Gained certain in
ward passions and disquiet. BY and by he
went Jack toward the lighthouse and tried
to make out whereabout the island in the
darkness lay, and pleased himself will
fancying that Il distant light shone from q
certain window and sent him a kindly ray
Weary at last, he went up to his rude bee
about midnight and fell asleep.
But some one else, as it appeared
watched later. Landon woke suddenly
and fOund Dams hand on his arm and
heard him saying:
Mr.. Landon, wish you'd get up and
come down to the landing as soon as you
can; there's something the matter"
He stepped away and Landon got into
boat, the sail set and everything ready. .
"Come aboard" he said, there's nc
time to waste"
"When they were under way Landon
spoke first:
"That's the island, isn't it? What are
those two lights just above it, close to.
gether? They can't be stars?
They're lamps on the top ofthe house,
Dan answered.
Landon turned sharply. "What does
that mean"
1.-TWO flags in the day time mean Come
over if possible That's all [ know" said
Dan.
By and by they caught sight Of the yacht
and Dan made a low imprecation. But
Landon stoppedhim "Hush-put her up
quick! Here's Il row-boat coming rigllt
at u.s."
Dan bent forward and caught sight o
the boat, and leaned far out on the watcl
as they rapidly approached. Suddenly
he made a spring and damned the tille1
hard to ~starboard, e%xclaiming under hit
breath:
"It's them, rs l breathe! Don't you
see? The young ladies!"
He brought the boat around with a
sweep and came up alongside to leeward
Landon called out:
Miss Classen, Miss Westward, don't b.
frightencd-it's friends, Dan Cantrell ant
l."
lie helped them aboard the %sailboat, anC
in the revulsion from long strain to sudder
Joy Adela sank down and sobbed. Lando1
had her hand and would nave supported
her, but Gala took her in her small arms
and held her, though her own voice was MOI
| -4.~1, ~, ~h0 -1l 4Inr, yrl~k hal 40,