The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09


rending sound near at hand felt nev
swirl in the water benath them, and cou
see her companion Straining his eyes into tn
night.
II hat was the last of the Tantalus; sh
has broken up and sunk! he said, at last
so soon?" said Hilda, shuddering. ''Thel
we were not moment too soon. And hav
you any idea whereabouts are?'
She knew from his voice that he had Smle
at her question, despite the danger of the po
sition.
I can tell you within a few miles, or coul
II L could show you a chart. The coast o
Portugal is over there, and he pointed hi
hand across her. I'VE struck on a sunkel
rock, as you know, of course; but we wer
very little out of the course 1 have a few
instruments with that will show gu
position, and with this wind blowing straigh
towards land we should reach the coast safe
~ IN a day or so, even if we are not luck,
enough to be picked up by a passing vessel
When day breaks 1 shall put up an apolog,
Tor a sail, and we shall get on quicker. Nov
we can only be patient. Are you very cold :?
Not at all, thank you,'' she said, bravely
All! what was that?'
Something had struck the frail timers, am
they swayed beneath the shock.
Raymond peered out, leaning dangerousl,
near the edge
1t is the boat-the last one that wa
launched" he said. 1T has gone past bot
tom upwards, and even if 1 could have go
hold of it, we could not have rghted it b,
ourselves
The boat? Then the people in her?
1t capsized when they rushed in madl.
at the last. just as I had foreseen. I wa
glad you did not see it; but you heard M
shouting and finging down ropes? Well, i
was all in vain, not one came near the shil
again, and 1 could hear no answering shout
from the darkness
When the dawn broke, the roll of canva
that had served Hilda as pillow was hoistec
on a spar in the form of a rude sail, and all
during the long, grey, misty day, they floatet
over a sullen sea that seemed to match tn
dull grey of the lowering clouds
No friendly sail was seen by their wistfu
eyes, but Raymond Grant lost no whit o
courage, and Hilda's hope was still high ever
when night fell again, and the darkness
crept once more upon them.
A wan moon, in her last quarter shone on
at length from between the clouds, and mad
the night hours seem less long and fearful.
Hilda had fallen into Stupefied doze fo
some time, when she woke to find Raymond
standing over her. and thrill of gratitude
went through her heart as she saw that hi
thick pilot jacket was over her own shoulders
now and he himself had only his thinne
uniform coat.
You should not" she began reproach
fully, but he raised his hand.
Hush! We are close to land now; you cal
see the rocks and some stretches of sane
down below them. You must not be fright
ened now if we get flung overheard in tryins
to land, for am good swimmer, and / viii
take every care of YOU ts.
1t rseemedTto Hilda's fancy that he chose
his words with evident care, and said bu
half of what on his lips, or perhaps
deeper STILL within his heart; something pre-
vented her answering him in words and sh,
only bowed her head gently and laid one
hand on his.
ling over the narrow strips of sand ant
looked frowning and inhospitable when the.
at length reached the shore in the faint moon
light.
R11f
welcome change to the incessant rocking O
their wet, frail raft, and the restless moan O.
the waves beneath it.
They clambered, hand-in- hand up towards
a little bay ScOOped out in the cliff and fo
the first time, she felt how utterly weary ant
stiff were her limbs, how cold and crampeC
her feet.
You must be nearly dead" he said, sympa
thetlcally; and as the little cleft was shell
tered from the wind, and the sand dry, he pu
down the canvas bag that held their stool
of biscuits, and wrapped the jacket more
closely round her.
You must lie down here and try to sleep
or you will not be rested tomorrow; and
will try and get on the top here, and see i
there is any village near; but I hardly thinl
We shall find one hereabouts, for 1 know THU
coast, and it is very lonely
He was back in half an hour his hand
torn with his rough climb and his clothes
ragged.
Still awake!" he said. "There is no sigr
OF even cottage, for miles; but do not los,
heart there Will be coast town some dis
lance along the Shore and we will find it al
right. The question is, whether you would
wish me to start off at once and look for help
while you rest here and return for YOU in tn,
daylight; Or
You must not leave me alone here. coulf
not bear that! And when we go. we will %
together. Of course, l will do whatever yol
think best, but 1 should suggest our restins
now, and starting by daylight only. YOU mus
nr0r | ms with
er, and perhaps Drawer, than you think
He gave her quick glance from his darl