The silver star., 1900-05-25
oHAPTnR Ix.-(Continusd.) !

CHAPTER IX.-(C0ntinued.)
Tho Indian now, with . savage grasp
on Don's throat, had pinioned him
AGAINST the gunwale. and Don, unable
|to utter q sound, was flghting desper-
ately with his hand for dear life. Then.
|as through thick mist, he saw Lii
Hes sweet face near him, convulsed
with anguish, and terrified onicers
rushing forward. A great lurch Of the
vessel blotted out the rest. Locked In
his antagonists ruthless embrace. lfe
felt himself whirling backwards into
the boiling sea and the waters closing
over him.
Instantly the captains voice came
ringing out In quick command:
Sentry, let 60 the lifebuoy! Bosun's
mate, call away the lifeboat crew!"
Quick as the order. 1t was obeyed.
The great ship was swiftly hove to.
But what agony Of heart was every
second Of delay to the paralyxed young
bride!
Officers and men had now gathered
on the scene, scanning the choppy sea
with telescopes and speaking in tense,
awed tones as they watched the gal
liant cutter straining might and main
10 reach those black specks which rose
60 often to the surface only to disap-
pear. Lille stood apart, speechless,
almost sightless. in that wild endeavor
to peer through the gloom Of night.
while the remorselese deep was lit up
with a spectral terror by the lurid
light with which the lifebuoy was
charged Once the ships surgeon went
10 her side and begged to take her be-
low. She only shook her head. She
was past speaking now.
At last! at last! A thrill Of excite
ment passed from lip to lip. The look
out man on the mixen-mast had de-
scried the rescue Of both the drowning
men-alive or dead, who could tell!
Impatience to know the worst was
checked as the boat came alongside. In
Difference to the young wife. who
stood In their midst waiting-waiting
for whatf
She followed blindly as they bore
Don's PROSTATE form to his cabin and
laid him on his couch. The seaman
was dead. Had Don, too, passed away
across the mystic ocean, whence the
voyagef NO moro returns?
In the weird lamplight that still. un-
conscious face looked indeed ~ II It
already bore the stamp Of death; and.
with despair terrible In its calmness.
she turned from doctor to steward
while they unfastened coat and vest
and laid bare the ghastly wound and
Its streaming blod.
TELL me-" she said. "is he dead?''
Oh. what . whole history Of pain and
pathos lay In that brief question!
The doctor looked the sympathy be
felt. He was blum. stole Scotchman.
Injured to scenes Of sorrow and suffer-
ing, but there was something In that
pathetic picture Of the strong young
man struck down in his prime. and the
lovely girl wife in her uncomplainine
strength Of endurance that touched
him Infinitely.
He Is not dead" he answered. "Be
assured I will do everything that if
possible to save him." he added cheer.
lily. as his busy fingers sped at hii
work.
She stood aside In breathless excite.
ment.
This IL q nasty wound" he spoke
st last: "but fortunately the salt va.
ter has stanched the bleeding. II b
after effects I am more afraid of.
should like to get two trained nurses
who happen to be ON board. to under
take the case. They are very clever
! could thoroughly rely on them"
For an instance there was tense si
lence.
Gould you not rely on myself fol
oue?" was the answer which falteret
through her parched lips.
Are you strong enough?" he que
ried kindly. "If II Is q matter Of ex
pense. think you will hnd will ar
range"
She Interrupted him with . littl'
gesture almost Of scorn. All her III
che had known nothing Of the bitter
ness Of poverty. and now II seemet
like mockery to her to mention *
pense In conjunction with her love AMI
Don's life. =
Spare nothing-n0thing that mon
~ can buy!" she spoke breathlessly.
The doctor paused to take her slim
wrist between his finger and thuml
and calmly count her throbbing pulse
We'll make . compromise" said b.
soothingly. you shall relieve n
nurses from duty now and then; bu
yoa must remember his life depend
On constant care night and day.
That settled the question definitely
ana Lillie allowed herself 10 b 10
away to partake Of . strong cup Of 10
ana some refrsshmsnt 70 AZ her for th
.ons hours Of Watching which lay bs
Iore her, for she insisted ON the nurs
not being summoned ct least till morn
ing, AZ the doctor himself meant ;
oe In close attendance on hi patisn
= night. In his heart he deeply pitis
sae fair young bride. who svidsnti
owed 70 deeply tho atn1vart bfidG