Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1901-08-29
CHAPTER lI,-tcoutIauedl

GlAi VIZ AlFN"HtkouttuuFtN
A little crumbllng path led round the
rock and along the edge OF tho ravine.
| chose II because from Il ! could see
ali lhe fantastic shore. bending 10 semi
circle towards the iale OF Brsekhoa, with
tiny, untrodden bays, covered at this
hour with only glitterlng ripplea. and
with oil the soft aud tender shadows OF
the hendlanda failing across them.
| WAS Just giving ms last look 70 them
when the loose stones on the ernmbllnx
path gave way under my tread, and be-
fore could recover my foOthold found
myself slipping down the almost perpen-
dlcular face ~ the cllif, and valnly
clutehlng at every bramble and tuft Of
grass growing 10 lts clefts,
landed with n shock far below, and
for some time lay lnaenaIble. Az nearly
~ | could make ont. Il would be high
water In about two hours. Tardif had
aet on az low water. but before starting
he had said something about returning at
high tide. and running up bis boat on the
beach OF our little hay. lf hv did that
he must pass close by me. II was Sat
uEday morning. aud be was In the habit
OF returning early on Saturdays. that be
might prepare for the aeryleea OF the
next day.
At lRat-whether years or hours only
had gone by. could not thea have told
you'll heard the regular and carefal beat
OF oars upon the winter. and presently
tho grating OF a boats keel upon the shin
gle. | could not turn round or raise my
head. but | was sure II was Tardif.
"Tardlfg | cried. attempting 20 shout,
but my voice sounded very weak In my
own ears. and the other sounds about me
seemed very loud,
He paused then, aud stood quite still.
listening. 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.
''Mamxelle.' he exclaimed, "what has
happened your"
| tried to smile as his honest, brown
face bent over me. full Of alarm. II
was so great n relief to see face like
his after that long. weary agony.
''I'ye fallen down the clin," ] said
feebly. "and | am hurt"
Tho strong man shook, and his hand
trembled as he stopped down aud laid
II under my head TO LIT Il up little
Ills aglte:ion touched me 10 the heart.
"Tardlf," whispered, ''it Is not yer,
much. and | might have been killed.
think my foot Is hurt. and | am Quits
sure my arm II 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 slops
which led homewarda, II seemed lons
time before we reached the farmyard
gate. and he shouted. with a tremendous
voice, TO his mother 20 come and open lt
Never. never shall forget that night
could not sleep; but suppose my mind
wandered little. Hundreds OF times
felt myself down on the shore. lying help
less. Then was back again in my owr
home In Adelaide. on my fathers sheer
farm. and he was still alive, and with
no thought but how to make everything
bright and gladstone for me; aud hun
dreds Of times ! saw the woman whC
was afterwards to be my atepmother
gealing up to the door and trying to get
In to him and me.
Twice Tardlf brought me : cup Of tea
freshly made. l was very glad wher
the first gleam OF daylight shone into my
room. II seemed to bring clearness t.
my brain,
"Mam'zelle," said Tardif, coming t
my side. II am going to fetch doctor.
"But II is Sunday" | answered faint
~. knew that no boatman put out Il
sea willingly on Sunday from Sark; ant
the last fatal accident. being on Sun
day, had deepened their reluctance.
at will be right. mam'Eelle," he an
swered, with glowing eyes. II have nj
fear"
"Do not be long away, Tardif," said
sobbing.
'Not one moment longer than l caI
help" he replied.