The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-06

now in gusts. Joan's hair had become un-
loosed and was blowing about her face in
curly tendrils. Steve Bathursts face
changed, he drew the girl nearer to him,
pressing his lips a moment TO her pale
cheek
Il couldn't give up the work, even IL I
wOuld-because il is the only way l can
make home for you he muttered his
voice vibrating with fierce passion! then
he pushed her a little roughly away, and
went back to join his fellows.
Joan looked after him. In her eyes was
an expression half dread, half fascination.
II was TO be her husbaud--this man, who
held human life so lightly that he would
take 1t with careless Indifference, az he
might wiring a sparrow's neck. Already
the glamor Of their early courtship had
faded. She was longing nov only to be
free. AS she moved, her glance fell on
the PROSTATE man. His eyes were open,
staring at her in dazed bewilderment. The
cruel waves had done only half their work,
buffeted, tossed about, bruised by the
rocks he was still alive. and conscious.
Thought is quick and thought accelera-
ted by apprehension, quicker still
BE silent--for your life" murmured
Joan. bending over him. and though but
family understanding, the man obeyed.
She knew well what he did not-that this
desperate band of wreckers would think
nothing of taking away what little life re
manned to their victim. Living, he might
still witness against them-dead, he would
be harmless.
All the woman in Joan Mallory's heart
awoke into being. She would save this
man-save just this one, and by doing so,
ease at least some of the intolerable smart
of conscience. which was her portion day
and night. But it would be no easy task.
She bent down on pretense to fasten her
shoe. Eyes ana ears were all around them.
DO you understand me?' she said, in a
rapid whisper. You are in peril of your
life here but / will save you, If | can.
Listen can you move, do you think?'
He whispered back faint affirmative.
The wind had fallen TO curious quiet
ness even the booming Of the waves was
less distinct. Joan Mallory's practiced
eyes, looking Stewards, saw coming what
might be the mans salvation. Slowly it
moved EDWARDS, even broadening, bit by
bit misty impalpable, white and opaque
clingng like smoke-wreaths around the
sharpened points of the rocks, hiding even
their rugged fronts, rendering more and
more indistinct the knots of men, busy
at their grewsome work.
This sea fog, all unexpected as It was
gave Joan Mallory her chance. She tight
ened her fingers on the mans wrist
'Now-come with me-" she whispered.
Don't speak, don't utter a word. Your
life, perhaps mine, hangs on our secrecy"
He raised himself with an effort, sitting
a moan Of pain between his clenched
teeth. 1t seemed to Forbes Devereux as
If every bone In his body were out of
joint, but where this girl exhibited such
bravery he could scarcely show himself a
coward. Well was it for Jean Mallory now
that she could, even blindfolded have
found her way from east to west of Criven
Point
Devereux stumbled along beside her.
Half-perished with cold, dazed, suffering
pXhnngfaH H. If.
enfeebed condition. that they must have
walked for miles, although in reality the
distance scarcely measured four hundred
yards. Around them the fog was thicken-
ing. He could scarcely distinguish the
outlines of his companions figure.
At last the girl stopped, and feeling eau
uously about. seemed TO be moving aside
some bushes, which probably concealed
the mouth of a cave.
1T is only a poor shelter" she said
apologetically, but anything is better
than the open beach. Core bend your
mead, because the entrance IS so low You
are quite safe at present"
Devereux obeyed; a moment later they
were out of the fog, II Is true; but in
pitchy darkness Joan Mallory. who had
produced finder box from somewhere.
struck light Devereux looked round
him in surprise. Despite the pain he was
suffering his curiosity had been keenly
aroused by the events of the last -four
minutes all this savored of romance, and
to highly strung, imaginative man like
FORBES DeVereuX, romance possesses a
keen fascination.
Inc cave was a large one, torn by some
terrible CONFUSION of nature, In the heart
Of one of those mighty rocks. which made
the coast line Of Criven Point such "A ter
ror to mariners. 1t was a rude enough
shelter but as Joan had said, would serve
their purpose.
Two lodges OF rock jutting out from the
wall, made a convenient resting place. and
upon one Of these was thrown a skin rug
The floor was covered By a CARPET of
PUSHES, and the atmosphere of the cave.
although by no means airy, was far from
unpleasant To Devereux. after the chilli
ing cold and fog outside II felt like
heaven. lie sank on to one of the lodges,
rubbing his chilled hands together. in
vain effort to induce some warmth
Joan meanwhile was kindling fire from
some dried sticks at the further end OF
the cave. It blazed brightly up warm
ing the atmosphere, although rendering IL
perhaps little choky. Devereux was in
/ no mind TO caVl at this He coughed
once or twice. but il was better TO be
warm and partially stined here, than per.
| ish outside.
Joan handed him bottle. She had un-
| corked H. and a strong smell Of spirits
nOatcd up 20 him. DeNereuN drank IL eager
! ~ slow fire began to burn iu his
veins, circulation, hitherto slow, quick
! ened, a grateful warmth pervaded every
/ nerve already he felt refreshed, invigor-
ated, as 4 new life had been put into him.
1T is good stun" he said, handing the
! bottle back to her.
half-smile dawned In the girls brill
/ liant eyes.
/ Yes she said, there has been no duty
/ paid on that, so Il tastes better. We are
/ primitive folks out here m the west"
Very primitive" he said slowly $50
| primitive that your companions are will
| ing 60 lure a gallant barque 20 her ruin,
| caring less for the valuable lives she car
| rles than the Indifferent merchandise with
which she is loaded. Tel me now-I done
| understand. Why have you saved my life
you belong to them?"
he was staring AT the girls handsome
face What healthy, spirited incarna.
ton Of womankind she appeared. standing
there IN the lurid light OF the fire. the
| magnificent lines OF face and figure
| brought into bold relief against that ruddy
background. quick glow OF shame burn.
cd on, her checks
]