The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-16

back in hopeless horror at the dwindling shore.
 "We'll soon be picked up-dont worry he answered, comfortingly "I think that the joke Is on the rest of the people, he waved his hand at the pile of provi- sons-"here we are sailing out to sea with all of the eatables and drinkables that make a Christmas dinner worth the effort Are you warm enough?"
 "I am more frightened than cold" she admitted faintly. her self-assertion all swept away by surrounding dangers. She found herself looking to him childishly for reinsurance, and ganied the greatest comfort in his quiet smile.
 Carling stood up and searched the bleak horizon. All at once his eyes rested on d distant, uneouth object on their port bow. He turned joyfully to Miss Ches- CT.
 ''The lightship!" he cried T had for gotten all about herb
 Something in his tone sent a quick thrill through the girl In spite of her agitation she realized that it was the first time she had ever heard his voice raised from it's usual unruffled calm
 ''Where?" she asked eagerly; "Oh, yes, l see her, but isn't she a very long way off?"
 Not over four miles; but the tide is setting to the southward of her. I will have to rig some sort of sail" His voice still carried the quick, eager tone that made the girls heart beat faster He leaped down and began to haul the tar paulns from under the cushions of the launch, and the next moment had spread them open and was lacing them together by running the twine from the parcels through the eyelets
 '"rhe big sweep will do for a mast" he explained eagerly ''and that boat hook is long enough to use as a yard'- he cast away one of the small pulleys leading the tiller line to the wheel and lashed it deftly to the end of the sweep You see. I can stay the mast with what's left of the anchor line and reeve halliard through this block" He worked quickly and skillfully as he talked, and Miss Chester, watching him, wondered if this could be the same man whom she had so condemned for lack of animation Voice, manner, actions, even appearance, all seemed new to her. and as she watched his purposeful efforts she forgot the dangers about them, and a new senti- ment, strangely sweet and one which seemed to bid defiance to the chill of the darkening December day, gradually pos sessed her
 Take the wheel, Doris" he said pres ently, and keep her before the wind while l get up this sail"
 
 doing his will, especially as uttered in a terse command. Carling was working at his improvised sail, and as she sat with the little wheel in her hands Doris's eyes rested idly on the bulkhead inclosing the tank. blotch on the light woodwork attracted her attention. and the next in- stant she had discovered the fatal bullet hole which was the cause of their mis- hap.
 "Dicki" she called sharn1v and Ieavino his sail unhoisted, Carling sprang to her side
 What is it, Doris2' he asked concern edly. She pointed at the bullet hole.
 Did you know it. Dick?'
 Yes. dear he answered gently.
 And you never said a word" Her big. blue eyes were raised to his. and as he looked into them they brimmed oyer. There was q suspicious quiver to her lips
 He rested his hand upon hers as 1t held the little wheel
 Ut was an accident. Doris Any one might have
 But you never told me. and I was blaming you--for not keeping a better watch---" There came a break in the sweet voice. Carling squeezed the cold, litXe hand.
 sNever mind. dear. it will soon be all right He returned to his improvised sail, which was soon set and drawing strongly.
 Satisfied that it was ample to furnish the necessary steerage-way to reach the lghtship- Carling gathefed up an armful of loose wraps and went forward to where Miss Chester was sitting holding the wheel. He enveloped the girl in a warm steamer rug, then took the wheel gently from her hands and, without a word.