The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-07-13


one was missing-that with the white lines
running from bow to stern. No one spoke
but all knew that Phil Martin had beer
caught in the storm.
Some of the younger men were for launch
ing out for his rescue for it was terrible
to them to sec man fight CALAMITY for his
life and yet move no hand to save him; but
the o:..: men held them back, seeing that
one death was better than many. Now the
foam, blown In their faces, almost blinded
them. so that for an instant they could not
see; then. when they cleared their eyes
again, they saw the boat still riding gal
iantlys but, alas! no nearer to the shore.
Whlle they stood watching. one rushed
past them down 10 where the boats were
floored, and seizfng one of them, called for
neip 10 launch it. 1t was Con Heffernan,
and none stood in his way. since who had
better right to save Phil Martin than he i?
Thrice the boat was driven back again
to shore by those waves but at last, with
mighty effort, she was launched, and
Con sat In her. holding the oars and with
a smile on his lips.
Never had Con rowed as he did now, for,
tnoueh the sea and storm We're against
him. he rowed for his honor and to Danish
the curse.
spray, and for several minutes their eyes
could see nothing When the mist cleared
away again groan burst from them, for
now but one boat lived in the sea. Then
suddenly they saw Con rise and leap from
Lis boat into the water. wall came
from the lips of the women, but Eileen
cried out that Con Heffernan would swim
to shore and bring Phil Martin. Hearing
ner, the women grew quiet again, for she
spoke rs though she knew what would
happen.
Then again cry of joy and wonder
broke out, for the black head of Con and
the yellow head of Phil were seen together
Tor moment as they rose upon the wave.
NOW the fishermen could no longer re-
strain themselves, but binding a rope about
them they went into the water the bravest
and strongest going first, so that they might
nelp to draw the swimmer to land
But as they came nearer it was seen
mat only the dark head was erect amid
the foam and that the fair head drooped
ty It's side. The line of men in the water
stretched out to help him, but the waves
carried MIN from the eager rrasp of the
foremost. little further down the bay
were rocks, sharp and cruel, and thither
they were drifting.
None knew the bay better than Eileen
and she saw the danger. Swifter than a
Iawh she sprang down the beach, Chamber
ing over ridge of rock which projected into
tue sea ana calling to the others to follow
Hef Voice seemed to reach the swimmer
LOT with last effort he swan to the rocks
me girl threw herself on her face and
s'retched out her arms, clutchng, and in
her hands gripped the wet hair of Phil
Martin. In moment willing hands aided
her and drew out of the water the iife1ess
form of Martin Then, exhausted, Con fell
Hack INTO the seething water, a snort of
the waves which dashed him upon the
iocks and bore him away again like a life
less thing, for the strength had gone ont
of him.
Eileen could bear the sight no longer.
i1ast'ly casting her shoes from her feet,
pelore anyone was aware of her intention
she plunged into the sea and caught Con
as he was being borne away. Then ex-
ertlhg all her strength, she swan to the
rocks again. Three times the waves dashed
her against the rocks and carried her hsoL
again ere she could grasp the rope that
was thrown to her. At last it fell near her
ana sel@lng 1T in her strong white teeth.
sne was drawn Upon the rocks and out
OF the reach OF the waves, still holding
Con last with her right hand shout of
Joy ana triumph went up from the fisher
men as she was carried over the rocks
ana across the bay, for Eileen had dared
more than the bravcst among them.
But their gladness was soon stilled in
sorrow, for Martin was dead, and Con as
near to death as a living man could we'll
be- So they bore them to the nearest cabin
ana laid them each upon a bed doing what
they knew to bring back life and strength
But Martin was beyond all hope. His face
was fair and calm as it ever had been and
o bruise Was upon bis body. only the scar
upon his brow
But Con was sorely bruised by the rocks
ana MS limbs cut and bleeding and for
long 1t seemed that death was stronger |
nan the life in him till he began to mend |
cut MS great strength never came hack |
TO him, for that he had left in the sea
when he had struggled to bring Martin to |
and
When the storm had past, Cons boat |
vas found unframed upon the beach but
none ever saw again the boat with tho
white line.
SO Con Heffernan freed himself from tho
curse that was upon him. and Phil Martin
slept in the churchyard by the sea. and
n the hearts of the fishermen of Malbav
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