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


with masses of tangled seaweed
His clothes seemed to cling closely to him
as though sodden with wet. Raymond coult
not see how he was dressed or what name
of man he was, but presently he saw hin
stoop and kneel some moments motionless.
He was eXaming something that he helt
upon his knee; that done he started off at
quick pace, picking his way over the htt
patches of sand, and began soon to climb tn
face of the cliff.
Fearful of waking Hilda from a sleep h
hoped would fortify her for the long walk il
store, Raymond forebore to shout, but started
off in pursuit, hoping this stranger nigh
prove to live near, and serve them as guild
to the nearest town.
But the man by the shore, listesSly as h
had crept among the rocks at first, was aler
and agile now.
He had neared the summit before Ray
E2ond, rounding bluff caught sight of him
and shouted now loud and clear.
NO answer came, save from a flock O
frightened gulls, that wheeled and circlet
against the blue sky, and dipped dowI
screaming to the sea; and the dark figure 81
| far up the cliff-side seemed at first to hide
behind rock, as though Directing to be seen
but Raymond hailed again, this time in wha
Portuguese he could muster and asked TO
! help for a shipwrecked lady.
Still no answer, and the man had crept 81
ne al the top of the cliff that a quick bound
took him over and out of sight
Raymond Redeemed with fierce indignation
and went up some yards in pursuit; then thu
futiiity of it came home to him.
The fellow would be a mile off before
could reach the top; there's nothing to b.
done in that direction he thought as HI
turned back towards Hildas resting place
But | should like to have the handling O
that gentleman for just five minutes
Hilda came round a curve Of the cliff anC
met him; some of the wan WEAKNESS of yes
terday's hardship had left her face and seeI
had refreshed her.
Again the color crept into the mans cheeks
this time because he saw his pilot JACKIE
hanging on Hlda's arm, and a reproachfu
look in her eyes.
"Goodmorning. MI. Grant she said will
her eyes not on him but on the sand at thei
feet. Il have to scold you again. I though
you promised, and yet l found this over me
and you, of course, are as stiff and cold
Il am neither, l assure you," he said
smiling. Il have had too much night duty
on deck to notice a trfe like that 1t is Sc
different for you. Now, shall we have break
fast and discuss plans?"
Breakfast consisted, as had all the meals OF
yesterday, of ship biscuit and some sips Of
wine from Raymonds flask; but Hilda chose
to make very merry over it, and elected tt
speak of it as delightful picnic
And 1 think in future I shall always vote
for picnicS to take place in the early morn.
ing" she said, as she rose at last There
is charm in that hour that we lose as the
day grows older 80 az
That night the wanderers found shelter il
f1shermans hut in little hamlet on the
shore, and slept soundly, after receiving E
promise from their kindly host that he would
guide them next day to the nearest seapor
town, where they could telegraph to England
And the lady shall ride my old mule" he
had said, with smile at Hilda's tired face
and worn shoes, stretched out to the Cheerful
blaze the hearth.
But they could hear no news of the boats
or even of stray stragglers from the wreck
the few ignorant nha bitants of the little vii
lage knew nothing even of the disaster to the
Tantalus, and had seen no boats on the sea
but those of their own fishermen plying theil
trade
When Hilda awoke next morning, on the
rude couch that had been made for her in the
kitchen, she found a good fire blazing on the
hearth. and Raymond kneeling over it, hold
ing out some pa pers to dry which he ha6
taken from a damp pocketbook.
One of them looked like bank note and
as he put it hurriedly into his breast pocket
as sounds of footsteps came from the mex
room, she for the first time remembered the
little store of notes and jewels she had res.
cued from the wreck.
Only at this moment she remembered thai
she had not felt the little bag hanging from
the shoulder-strap from the time they hao
landed from the raft.
She remembered it had been safely round
her until they reached shore.
Then, in the relief and pleasure of feelns
on land once more, and within reasona BILE
reach of succor the diamonds had been for.
gotten.
Ao, ~ SUCH sorry Strall as her anc
Raymond Grants, the canvas bag of coarse
biscuit was of far higher value in their eyes
than a fortune in jewels that were useless or
desolate beach.
When he had finished his task she sat ur
and told him of her loss.
Was it of great value, that bag? I near
was there much in it?'' he asked; and Hilds
found now that confession was not to be
STAYED off much longer.
She omitted to mention the stones, and said
only
There were some notes that would have
raid nv Journey hOrna-n