Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-10-05
Chapter Z-COntinued.

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 establishment was mutual.
The child, aged about eight, recognized
In him a playmate Of the fine days Oh
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.
''rs all right, Mr.. Pyne," she an
nounced, with an air Of great dignity.
II make one step at time. Then
ketch the rail. Seer"
you've got 1t 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 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 said we'd 60 an find
mamma she cried some more"
Eyes. We'se awful hungry" agreed
Mamie. "An', please, where's man.
mar
Pyne needed no further explanation.
The little ones had lost their mother.
Her dIsdgured 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 1t was
. 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 a further supply from one Of
those sweet faced girls who explained
20 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
secured his half biscuit and teacup.
"Come along. Elsie" he said, crook
ing his left arm for her. Follow close,
Mamie. Mind you don't fall"
"Your mamma Is asleep" he assured
them in a whisper on the next landing.
"She just can't be woke up for quite 4
long time"
Then he navigated them to the door
Of the second bedroom. where Mrs.
Taylor was. He broke the hard biscuit
In two pieces and gave one to each
child.
I "Here. Mamie, you carry the cup and
20 shares II, the tea"
II don't IKE tea," protested Mamie.
eff I can't have coffee I want some
milk"
well. now, you wait little bit, and
you'll be tickled to death to see what
III bring you. But drink the tea. It's
good and hot. Skip inside, both Of
you"
He held the door partly open, and
they vanished. He heard Mrs. Taylor
say:
"Didn't tell you those two little
dears would do their own business
best?"
He regained the service room to find
Brand sleeping the remains Of his bis
cult In an almost empty cup. The
lighthouse keeper greeted bis young
friend with smile.
Il suppose that you, like the rest of
as. never had such an appetite in all
your days." he said.
"Oh, I'm pretty well fxed." said
Pyne, with a responsive grin.
"Then you are fortunate. There is
usually q wretched little fend lurking
prompts him to desire the unattaina-
BILE. Now, l am a poor eater, as q rule.
yet this morning l feel I could tackle
the toughest steak ever cut of su-
perannuated cow"
II don't deny" admitted Pyne. "that
the idea of a steak sounds good. That
II. you know" he went ON languidly,
1T might sort Of appeal to me about
q o'clock"
II should have thought you could do
with one now. especially after the hard
Night we have gone through. Perhaps
you are a believer In the French sys-
tenn and prefer a light breakfast"
Brand finished the last morsel Of bis.
cult and drank the cup dry.
"It's first rate proposiion-when
you are accustomed to It," said Pyne.
"But talking about eating when there's
little to eat is poor business anyway.
Don't you find thatT
II do indeed"
Brand rose and tapped the barome-
ter. adjusting the sliding scale to read
the tenths.
slightly better" he announced. IF
only the wind would go down or even