The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-05
By
HENRY C. ROWLAND

VIZ HEN the quick rising tropic sun
Nv had cleft the velvet darkness
into long, thin shadows, the
Baronet and the Banker found the
Countess and the Mate.
She was lying on her side, with one
rounded arm half hidden in a tangled
mass of hair that matched the sunrise; the
other was clinched in the cold. iron grasp
of Jordan Knapp, the mate, whose mas
sive frame was sprawled face downward,
his forehead resting on his other hand
Strewn along the beach were fragments
of wreckage and the stove-up whaleboat,
and all around was the soft, warm deso-
lation of South sea isle
The Baronet carried thin plank whit
tled shoVelwise, the blade of which was
frayed and splintered from contact with
the hard packed sand. The Banker carried
q large sailors bandana caught up at
the corners, and bulging from the per-
sonal effects that he had taken from the
crowned sailors whom they had just in
TERED. When he saw the Countess, a
corner of the kerchief slipped from his
ungers and the pitiful little trinkets rolled
unheeded across the shining sands.
They tried to pry the mates stiffened
nngers from their grip, and as they were
DONG so he suddenly gaSped and awoke.
The Baronet handed him a little flask
and the banker took the woman by the
SAAOOANSAS anu uEdSSeU neF ABOVE nlSn-
water mark. When he laid her down an
eyelid fiuttered. The Banker with beat
ing heart filled the hollow of his hands
with sea water. The Mate, leaning on his
elbow, watched him sleepily-and OWNED
his intention.
Good Lord! she's had water enough;
try little sunshine and whisky!'
we thought. of course, you were both
drowned, murmured the Baronet.
Thought almost right" said the Mate:
might have been, so far as you were con-
cerned. Why didn't you wait for her?'
Il don't know. I don't remember q
great deal of what did happen. The boat
was sinking as 1t waS-did sink, in fact,
before We had taken a dozen strokes" re-
piled the baronet, holding the flask to the
Countess lips.
SIS he dead2" she asked. feebly
mo, dearest; I am here. safe and
sound said the banker soothingly, as he
chafed her hands.
"Oh, you! I do not mean you. mean
that gran man who plunge after me as I
struggle in the sea. Yeu-you go an leave
me to perish"
''You are unjust, dear. I thought that
you were in the boat
''Ah, yes-when 1 call to you from the
vessel But I do not ask you this; 1 ask
you if he live?'
''Yes, Celeste, here he is-and none the
worse Tor his ducking, said the baro-
net
What happiness! Why I have the so
great wish to sleep?" The long lashes
dropped drowsily over the deep violet
eyes, and a gentle little sigh was lost IN
the soft breeze that famed in from the
sea.
The Mate, watching her alphabetically.
reused himself from his lethargy Let
her sleep right where she is. Give me
your coat The Banker slipped it off.
and the Mate folded it and. placed it un-
der the countess head. She smiled drows-
lily and reached out a fluttering little
hand.
"Ah! it is you-my preserver-mon cher
anil"
There, there; you're all right now.
Take little nap; that's a good girl!' He
rose stiffiy to his feet and stretched both
great arms above his head.
The Baronet looked at him quizzicaIly
and smiled.
Don't you think that you are a little
proprietary in your manner, Knapp"
asked the Banker in a sulI1y. voice.
The Mate brought down his arms, threw
out>his chest, and stared at him a mo-
ment. The deep lines on his face threw
darker shadows, and the heavy brows
came together.
Who's got better right?" he growled.