Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-08-28

a monstrous deal of people for haIr-
penny worth of breadv'
ssWhat is the use of repining?" sang
Enid, with a fortissimo accent on the
penultimate syllable For where
there's will there's way Tomorrow
the sun will be shining. although it is
cloudy today"
But Constance was not to be drawn q
second time. Her clear brain was trou-
bIed by formless shadow. 1t ban
ished from her mind all thought of a
harmless Irritation with the good look
ing youngster who had brought a blush
Of momentary embarrassment to her
fair face.
How dreadful it would be to meet
hunger with refUsals. Perhaps there
were worse things IL the world than
tie midnight ordeal of an angry sea.
Indeed, when Pyne did join them in
accord with his intention, he soon per-
ceived the extent of the new danger
The stress of the night had only en-
hanced the need Of an ample supply of
food. Everybody. even the inmates of
the hospital was outra geously hungry,
and the common allotment was half
cup of tea and half a ships biscuit.
For the midday meal there would be
two ounces of meat or bacon, one pota-
to and another half biscuit with about
a wineglassful of water. For supper
the allowance was half cup of cocoa
and two ounces of bread, which must
be baked during the day. Not quite
starvation, this menu, bat far from sat
isfying to strong men and wornout
women. -
The Falcon, knowing the uselessness
of attempting to creep nearer to the
Gulf Rock, had gone off with her budget
to startle two continents. Stanhopes
last message was one of assurance. He
would do all that lay in mans power.
The lighthouse soon quieted down to
state of passive reaction. Pyne, refus-
ing to be served earlier, carried his
own and Brands scanty meal on
tray to the service room.
The unwearied lighthouse keeper was
on the balcony, answering a kindly sig
nal from the Lands End, where the
coast guards were not yet in posses
sion of the news from Penzance.
He placed the tray on the writing
desk and contemplated it's contents
ruefully.
81 guess that banquet won't spoil Tor
keeping" he said to himself. 'I'll just
lie round and look at it until the boss
quits making speeches by the yard"
A couple of minutes passed. Brand
was hosting the last line of flags, when
the American heard faltering footsteps
on the stairs.
''Don't follow SO close, Mamie" said
a child's voice. "AIy arm hurts just
huff for anything when I move"
A tousled head Of golden hair
emerged into the light. 1t was one of
the two little girls. whom Pyne had
not seen since they were swung aloft
from the sloping deck of the Chinook.
Their astonishment was mutual.
The child, aged about eight, recognized
in him playmate of the fine days on
board ship. She turned, with confident
cry: - ~
II told you so, Mamie. 1t was up.
You said down. Here's the big glass
house-and Mr.. Pyne."
She quickened her speed, though her
left arm was in sling. Pyne, dread
ing lest she should fall, fastened to
help her.
nounced, with an air of great dignity.
Il make one step at time. Then
ketch the rail. See?'
you've got it down to a fine point,
Elsie,' he said But what in the
world are those women folk thinking
Of to let you and Mamie run loose
about the placer
Elsie did not answer until Mamie
stood by her side. Judged by appear
ances, Mamie was a year younger.
Apart from the nasty bruise on Elsie's
left arm and shoulder, the children
had escaped from the horrors of the
wreck almost unscathed in body and
certainly untroubled in mind.
Mamie came to my room for break
fast" explained Elsie at last. "We'se
awful hungry, an when we axed for
mother biXit Mrs. Taylor she began to
cry An when I said we'd go an find
mamma she cried some more"
"Yes. We'se awful hungry" agreed
Mamie. An. please, where's mann
map
Pyne needed no further explanation.
The little ones had lost their mother.
Her disfgured body, broken out Of all
recognition, was tossing about some
where in the undercurrents of the
channel. None of the women dared to
tell the children the truth, and it was
a heartrending task to deny them food.
So they were permitted to leave their
refuge, with the kindly belief that they
would come to no harm and perchance
obtain further supply from one Of
those sweet faced girls who explained
SO gently that the rations must run
short for the common good.
Pyne glanced up at the lantern. Out
side he could see Brand hauling down
the signal. He sprang to the tray and
eoo,,ro1 h;e holf hico,,;t on1 Zoo