Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-21
Cons Part in
the Reuniting
By FRANK HI. SWEET
Copyrights, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

NON was the first to reach the
" wrecked steamer; but then ten OF
Cons IA years had been spent mostly
on the great south bay, and he was
more familiar with it than the life
station men themselves. His little
scooter was only large enough to
carry two besides himself, but he had
taken three loads TO the Long Island
shore before the first of the other
scooters arrived. Then they all
worked together as rapidly as possi-
BILE, for the vessel was sinking.
The last woman to- leave was one
Con had noticed several times as he
soaded his craft with women or chill
dren; she had been conspicuous
among them, encouraging and help
Ing, and insisting that all the weaker
ones should leave before herself Now,
rs he swung his scooter alongside the
vessel, whose rails were almost to
the waters edge, she came straight to
him, assisting a tall, powerfully built
man, whose pale face and languid air
proclaimed him an invalid AS Con
saw him he caught his breath sharp
iy and made a motion as though to
spring forward. Except for his pale
face and slightly STOPPING shoulders
the man seemed an exact counter
part of his own father
Can you take us on your-scoot-
err" the lady asked, with an amused
accent on the word scooter" ''I have
Noticed you a number of times, and
like your way of doing things We
AZ hn cd @ol,
Thank you, and / shall be glad,
too" answered Con, heartily. 81 have
been hoping that you could be my
passenger. II noticed you a num-
Der OF times, too, and liked your way
o; doing things"
The lady laughed as he reached out
TO assist her, but motioned for the
man to take his place first Then she
allowed him to place her in the
scooter
ut seems a case Of mutual liking"
she said, as she watched him jibe his
craft into the wind and grasp the TIL
Ter. But l. think / was as much at
tracted by your resemblance to my
brother-in-law here and to my hus-
band as to your way of doing things.
same manner. long ago." her eyes
growing far away in their gaze and
her voice wistful.
1T seems strange" she went on,
presently, that after all these years
l should come across the ocean and be
wrecked again at almost the very
place where they were lost"
Constance" said the man, gently.
Yes, / know what you would say,
brother; but you need not fear. have
schooled myself TO the first great
grief; else / could never have come
here again, as have been wanting to
so many years. shall not break
down. l owe that much to you, who
have been so good in taking this long
Journey just to indulge my within. I
Il think l will be ready to go back
on the next boat and live out the
rest OF my life quietly" Her gaze re-
turned to Con wistfully, with tears In
her eyes. though her lips were smil-
frg.
You are very young for such dam
ger" she said.
I'm IA" he answered, "and there
fsr't nearly so much danger as people
think-or If there is, one gets used
TO 1t and don't mind. You-you spoke
of being wrecked here twice." trying to
make his voice reassuring; but there
isn't the least bit of danger now. I'll
have you on shore in 20 minutes"
Il was not thinking of the danger.
my boy. but of other things" she re-
turned with sad smile. "And I shall
not forget you and your scooter after
I go back home. But you must tell
me your name, so that / can feel
know you more personally"
ITS Connamore-Fernald Gonna
more" he replied, lust like my faith
cr's. There's only just us two. and
we've lived around here ever since
was baby Fathers in the life
saving station"
The lady had half risen, a startled
hook Of inquiry in her eyes, But the
man drew her back gently.
1--WE have many kinfolk over here Z"
ne said. and Fernald is a common
family name. 1t is an odd coinci-
nence; but not at ali remarkable or
rather impossible. l might say"
When the scooter grated upon the
beach. there were willing hands to
help them out. But as the lady went
Forward to inquire after some of the
women and children the man turned
quickly to Con.
1T 10 remarkable coincidence
about our names-an Astounding one