The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-22
49, E g a
....l,S&s& Y A NOVEL BY
lwVLKlE COLLINS.
CHATTER xvII-(CoxrrSuEp.)

CuAPTEH s0VuI-(CONTrNEE
Il can't tell you," he said. Il can't
get the wash of the sea out of my ears.
can't get the shining stars all night,
and the burning sun all day, out OF
my BRAIN When was wrecked?
When was first adrift in the boat?
When did 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? l 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-
items 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
HING
Certainly"
He took the bottle fiercely, as he had
taken the food-drank little-stopped
and considered with himself again.
He he'd 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 you!" he said.
us she English? Is she young? Let
me look closer at herr"
He advanced few steps toward the
table. Don't be afraid, Mrs. Cray
fcrd," said Steventon.
Pm 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.
'well?" said Steventon.
He shook his head sadly, and drew
back again with heavy sigh. "No!'
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 p
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 ki1>;, tender eyes-with a
soft clear voice. Young, and loving
and merciful. I keep her face in my
mind, though I can keep nothing else.
/ must wander, wander, VANDERBILT
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 gesture
of farewell, and turned YEARLY to go
out. At the same moment, Crawford
opened the yard door.
II 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.
cts only a poor mad creature, Will
iam," she whispered; "shipwrecked
and starving"
Mad" Crawford repeated, approach
Ing nearer and nearer to the
man. Am I in my right senses?''
He suddenly sprang on the out
cast, and seized him by the
throat. Richard Wardoury' he cried,
in a 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?" b.
The man resisted no longer. lie re-
peated vacantly-"villain?" land
Where is Frank?"
AS the name escaped his lips, Clara
appeared at the open yard door, and
hurried into the room.
II heard Richards name! she said.
81 heard Franks name! What does
1t mean?" al s 49,
At the sound of her voice the out
cast renewed the struggle to free him
self, with sudden frenzy OF strength
which Crawford was not able to re-
sist. He broke away before the sailors
could come to their oficer's assistance.
Halt way down the length Of the room
! he and Claraimet one another face to,
: face. "A new light sparkled in the poor
wretch's eyes: cry Of recognition
burst from his lips. He flung one hand
up Wildly IN the air. ".Found!.: he
shouted, and rushed out to the beach
betors any ofS the men present could
stopshim. n
j.. ME- CTS xsord. mt 3Iar arnns ro,,nd