The Saint Paul globe., 1902-09-02
Jhe Globes Daily Short Story

nearing surf, and feeling with fisher
mans instinct the gentle tug Of the
net.
An hour later boat w Sos capsized
just inside the breakers, where the
water boils with sand and to swim
far in clothes is impossible The time
was well chosen. None saw; none
heard.
AS the deep -bellied craft rolled over
in the trough of the foaming channel
surge, VragniZan came up from be-
meath, and, keeping one brawny hand
on the keel, stared out and around.
The net he had cut adrift long before,
and ne knew 1t would be picked up.
Nothing was visible but the white
Tipped waves. Then, score of yards
away, a form rose on a sheer comber
and disappeared. Jan Vragnizan wiped
the salt from his mouth and whispered
curse. His furnbling hand drew out
flask. With his teeth he pulled the
cork and drained the liquor in audible
gulps. Raising himself by a swift eff
fort, he flung the emptied bottle far
out to where he had last seen the
struggling boat puller. Then with a
raucous intake OF his breath he dived
under the boat.
The dawn was blowing into day
when the life-saving crew from Point
Adams put out into the chops and
made fast to an upturned fish boat.
Right her and bail her out, said
the captain. Maybe there's body
under-poor devill"
The men clanabered over and under
their simultaneous effort boat w S03
tilted and swept upright. AS the wa
ter washed into the bottom a cough
ing, snarling figure emerged from un-
der the seats. It was Jan Vragnizan.
You're a clever onel" gasped the
captain of the crew. ''How did you
manage it?"
There was no answer, only a sodden
stare
you just missed washing UP on the
Spit" continued the captain. Lucky
for you you didn't"
Jan Vragnizan shook himself and
stepped into the life-b boat. bad night"
he said, briefly, without thanks.
The men looked at each other, and
one said, shortly: where's your boat
puller%
'Bo' pu'? IN hell"
When the life-boat towing W s03
reached the landing on the river beach,
jan Vragnizan stepped out and
stretched himself. 'Liklzer," he growl-
ed.
GO and ask the steward" the cap
tain said. 'fll make your boat fast
here, and you can take her up on the
tide"
Without a word the fisherman NOV
ed UP the sand to the station. AS he
crossed the rise Of the beach he came
full upon a man sitting against a log
in the sun. He halted, ponderously, a
moment, and then spoke: How did
you get ashore, Dravhan?'
The young boat-puller looked up
slowly. and in his eyes welled a pas
sion that partook of anger. picked
up by launch Triton" he returned
curtly.
His captain muttered In his beard
and then shook himself again In his
reeking clothes. We'll go up on this
tide" he said
Dravhan rose. I'm going over and
take the early train for Astoria"
"Helma %
There was significant pause, and
the men measured each other. "Yes,"
came the defiant answer.
The boat-p -puller Strode away through
the yielding sands, crusted over with
the damp of night, and Jan Vragnizan
looked at him as he went. Suddenly
out of his past rushed vision. He saw
Helma's meeting with Dravhan. Then
he shook little as he remembered
how, once, in another land. two softly
flashing arms had gone around his
own neck as the surf sweeps around a
lonely rock.
He passed in and sought the stew
ard AS the latter handed him a glass
of liquor, there was an interchange of
words.
what was the matter?" the steward
asked
Forgot the tide" answered the fish,
erman. John Fleming Wilson.
San Francisco, June, 1902.