Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-06-15
CHAPTER ll,-(Continued.)


with all the soft and tender shadows Of
the head-lands falling across them.
was just giving my last look to them
when the loose stones on the crumbling
path gave way under my tread, and be-
fore could recover my foothold l found
myself slipping down the almost perpen-
dicular face Of the cliff. and vainly
clutching at every bramblc and tuft OF
grass growing In its clefts.
I landed with a shock far below, and
for some time lay insensible. As nearly
MS l could make out, It would be high
water In about two hours. Tardif had
net of at low water, but before starting
he had said something about returning Mt
high tide. and running up his boat on the
beach OF our little bay. II he did that
he must pass close by me. 1t was Sat
urday morning, and he was In the habit
Of returning early on Saturdays, that he
might prepare for the services Of the
next day.
At last--whether years or hours only
had gone by. l could not then have told
you-1 heard the regular and careful beat
Of oars upon the water. and presently
the grating of a boats keel upon the shin.
gle. l could not turn round or raise my
head, but was sure II was Tardif.
"Tardif" I cried, attempting to shout,
but my voice sounded very weak In my
own ears, and the other sounds about me
seemed very loud.
He paused then, and stood quite still,
listening. I ran the fingers Of my right
hand through the loose pebbles about me,
and his ear caught the slight noise. In
q moment heard his strong feet coming
across them towards me.
"Mam'zele," he exclaimed. "what has
happened your"
I tried to smile as his honest, brown
fnce bent over me, full Of alarm. 1t
was SO great relief to see face like
his after that long. weary agony.
1--WE fallen down the cliff" said
feebly, "ond I am hurt"
The strong man shook, and his hand
tremblcd us he stopped down and laid
1t under my head to lift 1t up a little.
His agitation. touched me TO the heart.
"Tardif," whispered, ut Is not very
much, and might have been killed.
think my foot is hurt, and am quite
sure my arm Is broken"
He lifted me In his arms as easily and
tenderly as a mother lifts up her child,
and carried me gently up the steep slope
which led homewarls. 1t seemed a long
time before we reached the farmyard
gate, and he shouted, with tremendous
voice, to his mother to come and open 1t.
Never. never shall forget that night.
could not sleep; but I suppose my mind
wandered little. Hundreds Of times l
felt myself down on the shore, lying help.
less. Then ! was back again In my own
home In Adelaide. on my fathers sheep
farm. and he was still alive. and with
no thought but how to make everything
bright and gladstone for me; and hun.
drcds Of times l saw the woman who
was afterwards to be my stcpmother,
stealing up TO the door and trying to get
In to him and me.
Twice Tardif brought me cup Of tea,
freshly made. I was very glad when
the first CLEAN Of daylight shone into my
room. 1t seemed to bring clearncss to
my brain.
'Mam'zcllc," said Tardif, coming TO
my side. II am going to fetch DOCTOR"
But 1t II Sunday" l answered faint.
ly. l knew that no boatman put out to
sea willingly on Sunday from Sark; AMI
the last fatal accident. being on a Sun.
day, had decpcncd their reluctance.
1T will be right, mam'xclle," no an.
swered. with glowing eyes. II have no
fear"
do not be long away. Tardif." !, said.
sobbing.
Not one moment longer than l can
help" he replied.
CHAPTER III.
I, Martin Dobree, come into the
Grange. belonged to Julia; and fully half
Of the years household expenses were de-
frayed by her. Our practice. which he
story to tell my remarkable share In its
events. Martin, or Doctor Martin, I was
called throughout Guernsey. My father
was DR.. Dobree. He belonged to one Of
the oldest families In the island, but our
branch OF It had been growing poorer In
stead Of richer during the last three or
four generations. We had been gravi.
tating steadily downwarts.
My father lived ostensibly by his pro-
fession, but actually upon the income OF
my cousin, Julia DObree,\ who had been
his ward from her childhood. The house
we dwelt In, a pleasant one In the
and ] shared between us. was not Q
large one, though for Its extent Il was
lucrative enough. But there always 10
an immense number Of medical men In
Guernsey In proportion to Its population,
and the island IL healthy. There was
small chance for any Of Us to make
fortune.
My engagement to Julia came about no
easily and naturally that ! was perfect
~ contented with 1t. We had been en-.
gagged since Christmas. and were to be
married In the early summer. We were
to set up housekeeping for ourselves; that
was a point Julia was bent upon. A
suitable house had fallen vacant In one
Of the higher streets Of st. Peter-pOrt,
which commanded a noble view OF the
sea and the surrounding islands. We had
taken 1t, though 1t was farther from the
Grange and my mother than l should
have chosen my home to be. She and
Julia were busy, pleasantly busy, about
the furnishing.
That was about the middle of March.
! had been to church one Sunday morning
with these two women, both devoted 20
me and centering all their love and hopes
in me, when, as We entered the house
on my return. heard my father calling
Martin! Martin" as loudly as he could
from his consulting room. answered
the call instantly, and whom should
see but very old friend of mine. Tar
dif, Of the Havre Gosselin. His hand
some but weather-beaten face betrayed
great anxiety. My father looked cha
grined and irresolute.
Heres a pretty piece OF work, Mar
tin" he said; "Tardif wants one of US to
20 back with him to Sark. to see
woman who has fallen from the cliffs
and broken her arm. cOnfOund It"