Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-29

risk proposed or possibly forfeit his peace
Of mind forever. Quickening his pace, he
reached Hazen and the lawyer just as the
men awaiting them had advanced on their
side. Instantly he knew 1t was too late.
There was neither time nor opportunity
for any weak protests on his part now.
Older men were speaking; men who knew
the river, the danger and the man, but
even they said nothing to him In way OF
discussion They only pointed out what
especial points of suction were to be avoid
ed. and showed him the chain they had
brought for his waist and how he was to
pull upon 1t the very instant he felt his
senses or his strength leaving him.
He answered as courageous man might,
and making ready by taking on his coat
and shoes he gave himself into their hands
Tor the proper. fastening on Of the chain.
Ihen. while the murmur of expectation
rose from the crowd on the river bank, he
stepped back to Mr.. Ransom and whispered
hurriedly in his ear:
You have good heart better heart
than ever gave you credit for. Promise
that in case / never come out of those
waters alive that you will put no obstacle
in the way of Mr.. Auchincloss inheriting
/ his fortune In good time. He's a man
worthy of all the assistance which money
can bring. You do not need her wealth;
Observation-Disclosures"
Ransom half drew back in his amaze
ment Then started forward again. This
man whom he had always distrusted, whom
he had looked upon as Georgian's possible
enemy, certainly his own. was looking into
his eyes with a gaze of trust, almost of
affection. The money was not for him
SELF he showed it by the noble, almost
grand look with which he waited for his
answer: a look that carried conviction de-
spite Ransom's prejudice and great dis
like.
You will give me that much additional
nerve for the task lying before me?"
he added. And Ransom could only bow
his head. The mans mastery was limit
less; it had reached and moved even him.
Another moment and gasp went up
from fifty more throats. HaZen had
taken the chain in his hand. walked to the
edge of the rock and slipped into the
quietest water he saw there.
Strike left!' called out voice. And
he struck left The eddy seized him and
they could see his head moving slowly
about in the great circle which gradually
grew smaller and smaller till he suddenly
disappeared. A groan muffied with horror
went from the shore. But the man who
held the chain lifted up his hand, and ST.
lence-more pregnant of anticipation than
any sound-held that whole crowd rigid.
The man played out the chain; Harper
stared at the seething. tumbing water,
but Ransom looked another way. The tor
ture in his soul was taking shape, the
shape of ghost rising from those tossing
waters. Suddenly the pent-in breath of
fifty breasts found its way again to the
lips.
The men who held the chain were pulling
1t IN with violent reaches. 1t dragged
more slowly stuck. loosened itself. and
finally brought into sight face white as
the foam it rose among.
Dead. Drowned"' the whisper went
around
But when IIazen was dragged ashore and
Ransom had thrown himself at his feet, he
saw that he yet lived. and lived triumph
antly Ransom could not have told more;
it was for others to see and point out the
smile that swcetened the wan lips, and the
passion with which he held against his
breast some sodden and shapeless object
which he had rescued from those awful
depths, and which. when spread out and
clean of sand. betrayed itself that pc
cuiar article of woman's clothing, a small
side bag.
Il remember that bag" said Harper. Il
it. one exactly like it, in Mrs.
Ransom's hand when she got into the
coach the day all rode up from the
ferry What will he have to say about it?
and could he have seen the body from
which it has evidently been torn?'