The San Francisco call., 1904-06-19

Ns@uea haa a6 sls55 6s the sne Eslsss shadows doTn
the Baronet and the banker
found the Countess and the
mate She was lying on her side, with
one arm half hidden in a tangled
mass Of hair that matched the sun
rise: the other was clinched in the
cold. iron grasp Of Jordan Knapp, the
mate. whose massive 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
desolation OF a South Sea isle.
The BarOnet carried thin plank
whitfield shOvelwise, the blade of
which was frayed and spiintered from
contact with the hard packet sand.
The banker carried a large sailors
bandana. caught up at the corners,
and bulging from the personal effects
that he had taken from the drowned
sailors whom they had just Inferred
When he saw the Countess a corner
or the kerchief slipped from his
fingers and the pitiful little trinkets
rolled unheeded across the shining
sands.
They tried TO pry the mates
sJfened fingers from their grip, and
as they were doing so he suddenly
gasDed and aWOke.
The Baronet handed him a little
flask and the banker took the wo-
man by the shoulders and dragged
her above the high water mark.
When he laid her down an eyelid fut-
tered. The banker with a beating
heart filled the hollow of his hands
with sea water. The mate, leaning
on his elbow. watched him sleepily-
and OWNED his intention.
GOOD I Cv1F had ENafpr pF1pl1rh-
try a little sunshine and whisky"
we thought. of course. you were
both drowned" murmured the Bar
onet
Thought almost right said the
mate. might have been. so far As you
we're concerned. Why didn't you wait
Tor her.
u. don't know. don't remember
great deal Of what did happen The
boat. WIS sinking as it was-did sink,
in fact. before We had taken dozen
strokes" replied the Baronet holding
the flask 10 the Countess's lips.
us he dead:" she asked feebly.
No. dearest: ] am here. safe and
sound" said the banker soothingly, as
he chafed her hands.
"Oh. youl I do not mean you.
mean that gran man who plunged af-
ter me as I struggle in the sea. You
you 50 an leave me to perish"
You arc unjust. dear. I thought
that you were in the boat"
"Ah. yes-when ] call TO you from
the vessel. But 7 do not ask you this;
] ask you if he live?'
Yes. Celeste, here he is-snd none
the worse for his ducking," said the
Baronet.
What happiness, Why ] have the
so great wish 10 Sleep" The long
lashes dropped drowsly 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 apathetical-
". reused himself from his lethargy.
LET her sleep right here where she
is. Give me your coat" The banker
slipped IL CsE and the mate folded IL
and placed il under the Countess
head. she smiled drowsily and reached
out futteriDg little haIfd.'
All, it is you-my preserver-mO9
cher ami"
There. there: you're all right now.
Take e little nap: that's good girl"
He rose stifiiy 10 his feet and stretched
both great arms above his head.
The Baronet looked at him quizzical-
ly and smiled.
Don't you think that you are a little
proprietary in your manner, Knapp"
The mate brought down his arms.
threw out his chest and stared at him
a moment. The deep lines on his face
threw darker shadows and the heavy
brows came together.
who's got a better right2" he
growled.
TT seems TO me that as I am her
fiance"-
You're a Jim dandy fiance. What
Er faur n oy1 he oh
"Oh. well. we won't argue that point.
But inasmuch as I am the owner and
you''=
yes, I am not disputing that the
schooner was your schooner nor the
mate your mate. But you've got no
schooner left, and therefore no mate.
Ssvvy?"
But your pay goes on just the
same said the banker.
"Oh, does it2 Well, I'm no sea law
yer. and ] don't know whether I'm en-
titled TO any more pay or not; but il
seems to me that / am entitled TO some
salvage on this little craft that you
abandoned in a sinking condition" and
the mate jerked his thumb at the
Countess.
''Oh. you do, Ell? Well. you'd better
stick TO your pay, youg man; it's more
negotiable"
The mate studied the sand at his
feet thoughtfully. Got anything to
eat?" he asked, presently.
"One can Of biscuits said the Bar
onet: and there's a spring back from
the beach a way"
Good That's worth more TO us than
coin-or countesses, just now"
The mate took a survey Of as much
OF the island as he could see. Then his
eyes inventoried the fragments Of
wrecksge along the beach.
"Uninhabited, OF course. Wouldn't
support a jack rabbit SO far as chow
goes. And Just about enough fotsam
70 ferry one awayi"
The Baronet nodded "What are the
chances Of being taken on, Knapp?"
he asked.
Dan slim. Accidental. you might