Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-11-26

sightiess eyeS end called again. The
rope streaked down, slackened and
limp. He fancied he saw a dim blurr
OF bubbles soaring the smooth surface
Of the distant water and his head reel
ed.
With trembling fingers he knotted
the rope firmly to the bar, and throwing
on his coat, swung himself over the
brink.
The sun climbed the sky and slid
down lazily behind the Witches Pillar,
decking the sky with gold and the big
eye Of the far-off lighthouse started
dazzling through the gloom. The bouts
came in n by ne.
Long after the light in the west had
melted into n hazy gray, Kitty sat and
unused in the cOttage porch. When the
shadows drew in the lighthouse unclos-
ed It's ponderous eye and glarel ut her
for a moment like some huge beast as
1t circle,l round, cleaving the darkness.
II think III just u down an see
Mrs. Trewlowe. dad" she said. shakily,
looking through the open door.
Jem's little cottagc. with it's screen of
tall fuclsias. stood silent and deserted.
The frenZied beat of her knuckles on
the door echoed back to her m%Ockingly
through the two tiny rooms.
A painting woman. with n dingy
shawl thrOwn Owe her head. met her
half way down. Some instinct intangi-
bic and underlined. seemed to tell each
what she wished. yet dreaded to learn:
for no words We're spoken. no questions
asked. Their hands met in unspoken
sympathy. and hand in hand they de-
scendcd the hill.
They paused on the bluff. straining
their eyes in hopes of seeing IL dark
speck crawl out under the shadow Of
the cliffs. a boat was moving outward
toward the deeps where the conger lay,
and the girls heart grew bitter against
it's occupant. and the tiny band of gold
upon her wrist seemed to scorch her
flesh.
When they stood below the creaking
sign of the Merry Mariners the woman
hung back. and looked at her piteously.
I'LL go ill.," said Kitty. touching the
woman on the arm.
There was II sudden hush as the
whitc-faced girl tottered in and gave a
hurried glance around.
Isis he here:' she gaspcd. IL
mean-"
An old hag. seated in the far corner
of the room barred her toothlcss gums
and uttered Il cracked laugh.
Il
mo. he hain't. dearie. l seed him
goin' congertishin' in his swell clothes.
P'raps. if l aXed him prcttily. he'd put
me in Il pictur', too. Eli, dearie? He.
he"
Il mean Jem-Jem Holt-my Jcm."
as she painted. catching her breath.
Ted Trewlowe an him went ncstin'
on the Pillar this mornin'. Ted amt
back, an my Jcm amt back. an-Jcm
and Ted Trewlowe-my Jem-is-is-"
She broke down. covering her face
with her hands. The men laid aside
their pipes and went out softly, whis-
pering among themselves.
The sad-eyed woman was waiting fol-.
her. and together they FASTENED to the
beach and launched old Andrews boat.
The others We're far across the bay al
ready.
The oars splashcd sluggishly. and the
boat sped on through the creeping dusk.
At last the girl pecred over her shoulder
and stood up. covering her mouth with
her hands.
"Iiallo..'
An answering cry in a mans deep
tones echoed across the water. and she
bent to the oars once more. Then she
drew back her arm and tossed some
thing into the air-something that glis-
tened with IL yellowish tinlle at the
artists feet.
1t was IL narrow chain of gold. en-
bellishcd with IL hcart-shaped pendant
his gift returned.
The NOSE of the boat vecred round
and they headed up the bay. The wom-
an still rocked herself. sobbing softly.
but kitty's cheeks were dry. though
her breath came and went in uncertain
gasps.
\ hoarsc cheer swellcd up through
the night and set their hearts singing.
INitty's head went down on her hands.
and tears came at last. as the heavy
burden of agOniZed suspense fell from
her. One by IL the boys toiled across
the light. and were soaked up by the
darkness under the Farcombe shore.
Kitty reused herself and followed.
There was a chattering crowd of men
and women outside the Merry Marin
ers. but they fell aside to let her pass,
and they thronged the doorway curl
ously. The room inside was packed.
and little Trewlowe, very pale and
shaky. was jerkingly %narrating the adj
venture between the sips of his brandy
and water. But Kitty saw 10 one but
Jem.
He sat in the middle of the room. the
aslien hue of his face, showing clearly
through the CRIME, his hands bruised
and bleeding, and his clothes torn to
shreds. They had cut away the left
sleeve of his coat. and the brawny vii
1n0o Iootop x,,o Sof<3or thu en1s,&om,1