The record-union., 1892-02-13
WEST BY SOUTH.
written for the REcoRD-USroN by Lem

IOoheu VIII ner snowy SAILS furi6Q
against the cleaning polished masts.
The ripping wavelets crowded around
as if to tempt her to break loose from the
chains that bound her and speed away
over the blue water, but she seemed to
know it was best not to, for the morrow
would bring action and see her sailing
away from her rivals, for what had been
could be again.
Her owner and sailing master, Frank
Burgess, was the only one on bord; the
crew had all gone ashore. Frank was a
fine fellow, but i'll health and financial
trouble with it had depleted the store of
money left him by his father The yacht
Hebe was the one thing left him worth
money and health, for sailing her, with
the help of revivifying ocean breezes, had
partially restored him. His family were
counted as one OF the units in the 400 of
New York society, though Frank had
Withdrawn from its expensive precincts.
AS he said, laughingly, she wanted
change and without money could not
hold his own or anyone else's."
The sun set, leaving a glow over the
waters red as wine, the windows of the
island homes reflected rainbow hues, and
where the SUMS CLEANS fingered latest
patches of golden glory shimmered and
quivered on the tide going swiftly out
through the Narrows, and the sands
Sparkled like diamonds. 1t was a lovely
scene, and Frank drew a long breath of
satisfaction as much for the beauty of the
dying day as for the prospect of a fine
day on the morrow.
Sunset glow faded into the mellow,
creamy tint that heralded twilight, and
with the stars darkness stole through
nights portals before Frank awoke from
pleasant reverie Of anticipation, and ar
ranged his lines to catch some fresh fish
for breakfast.
He first lighted the anchorage light and
then like true sportsman forgot the
flight Of time. The last boat from Coney
Island had passed up, her tiers of colored
lights reflected in the calm water. shore
lights were lit, twinkled and faded out
before he thought of giving up, and the
creel at his side was quite tull of shining
fish when the sound of oars and swish of
an approaching boat could be heard COM
ing over the water. On it came. When
near the yacht Frank hailed it. but no re-
ply. He opened the cabin-doOr and the
light streamed out bringing into relief
the dark outline of small boat with one
occupant. 1t came alongside and girl
stepped over the yachts rail, holding the
painter in her hand tokeep her boat along
side.
Frank looked his amazement at his
strange visitor before he found voice to
say, "Good evening, is there anything
you wish? Anything | can do for your
She did not reply at first, as though she
was eXhaused'from the exertion of row.
ing. Seeing this Frank waited, as he
pushed camp-stool toward her. She
stood against the mast, a tall, fair girl,
with a coil of golden hair half escaping
under small, felt cap, and the cabin
light showed dark-blue, luminous eyes,
under dark lashes, and brows accentuated
by the fairness OF her skin.
The silence was embarrassing almost
when Frank broke it by repeating his
question: The girl looked at him in a
half frightened, half pleading way, and
said in low, sweet voice, ''Steer south. y
steer south? What for?" asked Frank,
in a surprised tone.
you will, won't you?" she pleaded.
''He-he, is so ILL.," and, shuddering vio-
lently. she might die.''
who might die, and where is he?'
asked Frank.
'Steer south % sAnd repeating this she
re-entered her boat and pushed away into
the dark night again, her oars beating
slowly on the water, as If she was waiting
for Frank to follow.
1t was some seconds before he made up
his mind whether his visitant was an es.
capped lunatlc, or if she really needed as
sistance for some one who was dying,
and evidently some one she cared for.
Frank, however, made up his mind that
she really needed assistance, so he un-
fastened his boat, and, with a few long
strokes, he was within range of the small
boat ahead. She stopped a second, as if
to assure herself he was coming, then she
called out in clear voice: 'Steer south,
for New Brighton
AYE, aye" answered Frank, as he
rowed along.
He could not help admiring the girls
firm, steady, even stroke, that showed
plainly she was no novice at rowing. The
speed she attained was something mar
velous for one so slight-looking and frag-
lie. Frank had all he could do to keep
up to her, and he was considered a fine
stroke. On the two boats went over the
dark water, under the stars, past the
whistling buoy, rocking on the tide that
was now at half ebb.
The air was warm, and the wind off
shore brought flower fragrance and the
scent of new-mown hay. The low-lying
beach loomed up ahead of them, and the
girl steered her boat deity till the keel
grated on the beach. Frank following
boat above tide-water: and his own boat
safely beached, he followed his silent
companion up q well-wOrn path to a
small cottage on a slight elevation, one
evidently built for summer use.
A light burned dimly in the small hall
way, and through an open doorway
glimmered larger light. The girl led
Frank into this room, and on bed lay a
man with CHASTITY face and dim eyes
that betokened evidently approaching
death. The girl pointed to the bed; then
fell forward in faint on the floor.
Are you the doctor?" gasped the man,
painfully.
"No, Pm sorry to say, am not" said
Frank, as he stopped first to pick up the
girl and lift her on the couch near by,
and was looking helplesslY around for
water.
''She is all right" said the sick man;
"only tainted, poor girl; it was too much
for her. She was mistaken, too. She
thought you was the quarantine DOCTOR"
Shall l go for one?" asked Frank.
mo, no, it's of no use; it is only a cues
ton of time-time-time."
AS the light fell on him, Frank thought
queer smile passed over the ashy pale
ness of his face.
Cannot l do something to relieve
you?'' asked Frank kindly.
"Drink-drink," moaned the sick man.
Frank saw some chocolate and an aIco-
hol stove on the table, and he quickly
made some. The man took it gratefully
The girl came too, then, with a long,
shivering sigh. She did not seem to see
Frank, but the man called, and she came
to his side. He said something in a low
tone TO her, and she left the room.
Frank stayed some time, then he left,
promising to send some one the next
morning, or rather early that morning,
for it was after II. The girl came in again
as he was leaving, and he told her what
he had told the man. She spoke low
"thank you.' AS Frank looked at her,
her face was deathly pale, and heavy,
dark rings were under the now downcast
eyes. Frank felt all the sympathy for
beauty in distress. but she acted so dumb,
On cuTiouclu ha ooIld fhinL- Of ,,o+biY ~