The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

though. The fisherman who had brought
her to the rescue watched her shrewdIy and
helped her IS much as he could.
'Ye see, she said. brusquely, Il must be
back at T. cottage as quick as l can, for
Jack'll be comm mp to say goodbye"
These words had the desired effect of
guenching Coultas Storms ardor. and of
reducing him to a gloomy silence until the
old fisherman asked him question.
.'Tha says tha doesn't know how tina
COON by that wound. lsdp
mo more l DON'T" answered Coultas.
shortly.
ingp pursued the elder man. composedly.
mo, there wasn't no Tight" said the lad.
Rachel broke In with decided tone. in a
high. clear voice.
Jack Mennel doesna' fight with knives"
she said. haughtily. even If some other
folks does Happen ye used yer knife on
yerself, ladp she added. with short
laugh.
Happen / should only ha' been taken
your advice if l had" said Coultas drily.
"Buty e're wrong this time"
Dawson, the fisherman. picked up the
od.stained knife which lay upon the
ground, wiped and examined 1t. Rachael
watched him narrowly;
It's yocr knife. Coultas." said she decid-
eddy. 'Leastways. It's the one ye were
showing me two hours ago."
Dawson laughed. but COultas looked puz-
zled.
Il know't," he said. but 1t warn't me as
used It. i"
He paused exhausted. and Rachel told
him not to talk But he would not heed
her.
II maun tell ye,," he said doggedly. II
msun maxi We believe me-"
LAY. lad, if tina can," put in Dawson.
Coultas struggled to speak, in spite of
Rschels protests. He was in deadly ear
nest. and his chest heaved as he began in
q hoarse whisper.
''Ye mann say it's lies il ye, like; but it's
Gods truth. 1 swear it. l were walkin'
along to the town. an heerd steps behind
me. An turned sharp. WI my knife open
In my hand. like as 1t might be So" said
be. feebly demonstrating with his hand.
IAN 1 were on a sudden blinded like. Wi a
arm round my face. think. An my knife
were tugged away. an felt stab ell in q
minute like. An were thrown down, or
fell down. doan't rightly know how it
was and presently Dawson came along.
That's the truth, if / die this minute
Coon on then lad" said Dawson, cheer
ily. as he lifted him TO his feet "One tales
good till another un's told"
"D'ye believe me. Raoheip asked the
young man. eagerly.
But Rachel was not in the mood to be too
kind.
Its q rum story. Coultas," said she
dryly. But ye've done talkin' enough for
& present. So come along"
Supported on the one side by Dawson,
muscular Rachel, Coultas was brought to
the cottage with but little exertion to him.
self. Tho Welcome he got from old Mrs
Wade, when she heard that he had come as
n patient to be nursed. was none too hearty.
She moaned and murmured To her grand
daughter concerning this visitation: but to
means and murmurs Rachel turned q deaf
ear.
I'VE maun see him through 10 now" was
all her answer: ''an' if so he's deceived me-
I'll find way TO make him pay for it."
In the meantime IL was evident that she
did not mean to be too sentimen tally Xxi nd
TO the invalid. whom she looked after in
the businsss-like manner of hospital
nurse. She continued to express great
anxiety 10 receive Jack Menneps farewell
visit. and affected the most ostentatious
disappointmebt when bow came from the
town little later with the message from
her betrothed, to the effect that the boats
were starting little earlier. so that he
could not come.
AN it'll be ten days afore shall sec
him aRainw walled Rachel with demon