Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-04-06

Though not so hot as In the prison,
the atmosphere of the lower deck was
close and unhealthy, and the girl, paus-
ing to listen to the subdued hum of con-
versation coming from the soldiers
berths, turned strangely sick and giddy.
She drew herself up, however, and held
out her hand to a man who came rapidly
across the misshapen shadows, thrown
by the sulky swinging lantern to meet
her. 1t was young soldier who had
been that day sentry at the convict gang
! way.
"Well, MISS" he said, 81 am here, yer
see, waiting for yer"
The tone of the sentence seemed 70
awaken and remind her of her errand in
that place. She laughed as loudly and
merrily as she dared, and laid her hand
on the speakers arm. The boy Redeemed
| to the roots Of his closely cropped hair.
There, that's quite close enough.
You're only a common soldier, Miles, and
you. mustn't make love to me-"
II know you're above me, Miss Sarah.
You're lady, but l love yer, l do, and
you drives me wild with your tricks"
Hush, Miles! they'll hear you. Who
is in the hospital?"
II dunno"
"Well, l want to go in"
Don't ask me, miss. It's against or,
ders, and"
She turned away. "Oh, very well. If
this is all the thanks l get for wasting
my time down here, l shall 20 on deck
again. Mr.. Frere will let me go in,
dare say, if l ask him."
Go in if yer like; | won't stop yer.
but remember what I'm doin' Of"
She turnel again at the foot of the
ladder, and came quickly back. THAT'S
a good lad. | knew you would not re-
fuse me-" and smiling at the poor lout
she was befooling, she passed into the
cabin.
There was no lantern, and from the
partially blocked stern windows came
only dim vaporous light. The dull rip
pie of the water as the ship rocked on
the slow swell Of the sea, made a mel
anchOly sound, and the sick mans heavy
breathing seemed to fill the air. The
slight noise made by the opening door
rounsed him; he rose on his elbow and
began to mutter. Sarah Purfoy paused
in the doorway to listen, but she could
make nothing of the low, uneasy muir
muring Raising her arm, conspicuous
by its white sleeve in the gloom, she
beckoned Miles.
'The lantern" she whispered-"bring
me the lantern.
He unlocked 1t from the rope where
it swung, and brought 1t toward her.
At that moment the man in the bunk sat
up erect, and twisted himself toward
the light. "Sarahw he cried, in shrill,
sharp tones. Sarah and swooped
with lean arm through the dusk, as
though to seize her.
The girl leaped out of the cabin like
a panther, and was back at the bunk
head in a moment. The convict was
young man of about four and twenty.
His hands were small and well shaped,
and the unshaven chin bristled with
promise of a strong beard. His wild
black eyes glared with all the fire of
delirium, and as he gasped for breath
the sweat stood In beads on his sallow
forehead.
The aspect of the man was sufficiently
ghastly, and Miles, drawing back, did
not wonder at the terror which had seiz-
ed Mrs. Vickers' maid. With open
mouth and agonized face, she stood in
the center of the cabin, like one turned
to stone, gazing at the man on the bed.
'Ecod, he be a sight" says Miles, at
length. Come away, miss, and shut
the door. He's raving, l tell yer"
Hes choking. Can't you see? Water!
give me water!"
And, wreathing her arms around the
mans head, she pulled it down on her
bosom, rocking it there, half savagely, to
and fro.
Awed into obedience by her voice,
Miles dipped a pannikin into a small
unheaded puncheon cleated in the cor
ner of the cabin, and gave it her; and,
without thanking him, she placed 1t to
the sick prisoners lips. He drank greed
lily, and closed his eyes with a grateful
sigh. Just then the quick ears of Miles
heard the jingle of arms.
Here's the doctor coming, miss" he
cried 81 hear the sentry saluting. Come
away! Quickr'
She seized the lantern, and, opening
the horn slide, extinguished it.
'Say it went out" she said, in a
fierce whisper, "and hold your tongue.
Leave me to manage
She bent over the convict as If to ar
range his pillow, and then glided out of
the cabin just as Pine descended the
hatchway. AS he groped his way with
outstretched arms in the darkness, Sarah
Purfoy slipped past him.
| ITO he cOntinuedO