The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-08-04

CHAPTER XvIu.-(CoSrrSrEp.,

get the wash or the sea out or my ears.
/ can't get the shining stars all night,
and the burning sun all day, out or
my brain. When was | wrecked?
When was | first adrift in the boat?
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 1t;
j can't think; l 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 eat!'
Even the sailors pitied him. The
sailors asked leave of their officer to
add little drink to his meal.
We've got a drop Of grog with us,
sir, in a bottle. May We give it to
him.
Certainly"
He took the bottle fiercely, 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
timer" 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
'Is 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 IL he wishes it,"
He never spoke. He stood in dead
silence, looking long and anxiously at
the beautiful English woman.
'well?" said Steventon.
He shook his head sadly, and drew
back again with heavy sigh. mo"
he said to himself; that's 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. keep her face in my
mind, though / can keep nothing else.
] must wander, wander, wander-rest-
less, sleepless, homeless-till l 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
sIoke to her husband as he passed her.
cts only a poor mad creature, Will
lam" she whispered; "shipwrecked
and starving"
'SMadw Crawford repeated, approach
ing nearer and nearer to the
man. "Am l in my right senses?'
He suddenly sprang on the out
cast, and seized him by the
throat. Richard Wardourr' he cried,
in a voice of fury. Alive! Alive to
answer for Frank The man struggled.
Crawford held him.
where is Frank" ne said. "You
villain, where is Franks"
The man resisted no longer. He re-
peated vacantly-"Villain?" and
Where is Frank"
AS the name escaped his lips. Clara
appeared at the open yard door, and
hurried into the room.
"I heard Richards name" she said
"I heard Fraaks name! What does
1t mean?"
At the sound OF her voice the out
cast REM we'd the struggle to free him
self, with sudden frenzy of strength
which Crawford was not able to re-