The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-03-20

ana sailing toward them. IT the wind
held in the same direction. the ship
would be apt tn make long reach be-
fore going about and must surely pass
go near that they would be sighted.
Dick looked at Tom and then at
Kate. while battle ragged in his soul
The excitement which had sustained
the sick man during the morning had
passed. and Dick could see plainly
enough that the reaction was Juggling
hard upon the frail strand Of life. Yet
he understood that he had at command
as potent a stimulant as was ever COM
pounded by a pharmacist
Ii was hope,
In an hour or two the approaching
vessel would he within hailing dis
lance. Another hour or two meant life
or death to Tom. II he knew that res
cue. food, drink and comfortable quar-
tiers were but few dwindiing miles
away, existence would grow sweeter
to the wealthy shipowner and importer.
and the innate love of life might buoy
him through the crisis.
Shall speak?' he asked OF him
self.
If Tom died-but he tried to put that
out of his mind. How he loved and
had lonSed for the woman he faced.
nickerinS spark was all that kept
them apart Should he fan 1t into a
blaze or let it go out forever:
At last Tom again opened his eyes,
M l,N,l- in,F i,,
pitiful, pleading expression. he feebly
put forth his hand
Forgive me-" he whispered i'm a
voice OF utter weakness. Kate bent
over and kissed him-kissed him as n
mother might her child.
Dick drew a long breath. and tremor
shook him like IN ague Spasm
"A SAIL" he cried hoarsely and rose
unsteadily. For Il moment he swayed
with the rocking of the boat. pointing
straight ahead. and then lie sank upon
his knees and took Toms hand in his
own.
"Tom," he said. rouse up. man. and
listen to me. There's a ship coming.
She's not five miles away. Think OF it, |
to drink and plenty TO
eat. Don't weaken now after all you've |
been through. Let the past he bygones. |
Live it out and he happy
"A ship in sightr gaspcd Tom. "Oh.
let me see her,
1t taxed Dicks failing strength to the |
utmost, but he lifted him to his knees
and held him thus while he looked long |
ingly at the distant sail. For q brief |
space the lustcr Of hope rekindled the |
fire OF failing vision. but it was only for |
4 moment. \ film bcclouded his eye |
again. and he sank back to the bottom
Of the boat with n gasp.
TOO late" he murmured, "too late
for me-
When Dick looked up, he met Rates
gaze. 1t WAS Il calm, steady look she
gave him and the first since Tom began
his story. Dick felt mcaner and guilt
Ter than he had ever felt before. lie
had TO do something to distract her
eyes.
1.-THE sail!' he said, pointing over the
waters. why don't you look?"
II saw it." said she, two hours ago"
"And you were waiting for me to tell
Tom of it,
YES" replied Kate, land how I
should have despised you IL you had
not"
The ships crew answered Dicks
faint hail with shouts Of encourage
ment, and the vessel luffed up into the
wind with Tapping sails. \ boat skip.
pered by the mate was lowered and
towed the castaways alongside the
ships quarter.
"IIow are they:" asked the captain
IS he leaned over the rail and looked
down upon the recumbent figures in
he boat. for Dick had collapsed.
zone man is gone. think, SIR" said
The mate after holding his hand over
Toms heart.
Yes" said Kate; "my husband Is
lead"