The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-07-12
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CHAPTER xvIII.-(CoNTrNuED.)

T1Tf .
can't get the shining stars all night,
ond the burning sun all day, out of
NV brain. When was / wrecked?
when was I first adrift in the boat?
when did I get the tiller in my hand
and fight against hunger and sleep?
When did the gnawing in my breast,
and the burning in my head, first
begin? have lost all reckoning of it;
can't think; / can't sleep; can't get
the wash of the sea out of my ears.
What are you batting me with ques-
tions for? Let me eatr'
Even the sailors pitied him. The
sailors asked leave of their officer to
add a little drink to his meal.
We've got drop of grog with us,
sir in a bottle. May we give it to
him.
Certainly"
He took the bottle fieroely, as he had
taken the food-drank little-stopped
and considered with himself again.
He held up the bottle to the light, and,
marking how much liquor it contained,
carefully drank half of it only. This
done. he put the bottle in his wallet,
along with the food.
Are you saving it up for another
time?" said Steventon.
I'm saving it up" the man an
sWered. Never mind what for'
He looked round the boat-house as
he made that reply, and noticed Mrs.
Crawford for the first time.
"a woman among your he said.
rs she English? Is she young? Let
me look closer at herr"
He advanced a few steps toward the
table Don't be afraid, Mrs. Cray
fcrd," said Steventon.
I'm not afraid" Mrs. Crawford re-
piled. "He frightened me at first
he interests me now. Let him speak
to me if he wishes it,
He never spoke. He stood, in dead
silence, looking long and anxiously at
the beautiful English woman.
J "Well?" said Steventon.
He shook his head sadly, and drew
back again with heavy sigh. "No!
he said to himself; chats not her face.
No! not found yet"
Mrs. Crayford's interest was strong
ly excited. She ventured to speak to
him. who is it you want to find"
she asked. "Your wife?"
He shook his head again.
Who then? What is she like?'
He answered that question in words.
His hoarse, hollow voice softened lit
tie by little into sorrowful and gentle
tones.
Young he said; with fair, sad
face-with kind, tender eyes-with
soft clear voice. Young, and loving
and merciful. I keep her face in my
mind, though I can keep nothing else.
must wander, wander, wander-rest-
less, sleepless, homeless-till find her!
Over the ice and over the snow; toss
Ing on the sea, tramping over the land;
awake all night, awake all day; wan
der, wander, wander till find her..
He waved his hand with a gesture
Of farewell, and turned YEARLY to go
out. At the same moment, Crawford
opened the yard door.
81 think you had better come to
Clara" he began-and checked him
self, noticing the stranger. who is
that?"
The shipwrecked man, hearing an
other voice in the room, looked round
slowly over his shoulder. Struck by
his appearance, Crawford advanced a
little nearer to him. Mrs. Crawford
spoke to her husband as he passed her.
It's only a poor mad creature, VIII
iam," she whispered; "shlpWreckeo
and starving"
'Madr' Crawford repeated, approach
Ing nearer and nearer to the
man. cam I in my right senses!
He suddenly sprang on the out
cast, and seized him by the
throat. Richard Wardourr' he cried,
IN voice of fury. "Alive! Alive TO
answer for Frank The man struggled.
Crawford held him.
Where is Frank?' he said. You
villain, where is Frank?'
The man resisted no longer. He re-
peated vacantly-"V illain?" ana
Where is Frank"
AS the name escaped his lips, Clara
appeared at the open yard door, ana
hurried into the room.
L heard Richards Manner she said
I heard Franks name! What does
it mean?''
At the sound of her voice the out