Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-15

Inc NSntnOuSe soon Quleteu down TO q
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 unwcaried lighthouse keeper was
on the balcony, answering kindly sig
nal from the Lands End, where the
coast guards were not yet In possess
sion of the news from penzance.
He placed the tray on the writing
desk and contemplated its contents
rucfully.
~ 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, AIamie." said
child's voice. "AIy arm hurts just
huff for anything when 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 We're 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 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.
"l's all right, Mr.. Pyne," she an
nounced, with an air of great dignity
II make one step at Il time. Then
ketch the rail. Seer
You've got it down to 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 place."
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
npu M Ny-ltn mt ri
mamma she cried some more"
YES. We'se awful hungry" agreed
Mamie. AN, please, where's man.
MAJ"
Pyne needed no further explanation.
The little ones had lost their mother.
Her distigured body, broken out of all
recognition, was tossing about some
where in the undcrcurrents of the
channel None of the women dared to
eell the children the truth. and 1t was
heartrcnding task 10 deny them food.
So they were permitted to leave their
refuge, with the kindly belief that they
would come to no harm and percliance
obtain further supply from one of
those sweet faced girls who explained
SO gently that the rations must run
short for the common good
I'yne glanced up at the lantern. Out
side lie could see Brand hauling down
the signal. He spr:u!g to the tray and
secured his half biscuit and teacup.
"Come along. Elsie" lie 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 n
long time"
Then he pavigated 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.
''Here, Name, yon carry the cup and
go shares in the tea
II don't like tea" protested Manic.
'If l can't have coffee want some
milk"
We'll, now, you wait Il little bit, and
you'll be ticliled 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 l tell you those two little
dcars would do their own business
best?'
He rcgained the service room to find
Brand stepping the remains of his bis
cult In an almost empty cup. The
lighthouse keeper greeted his young
friend with smile.
II suppose that you, like the rest of
us, never had such an appetite In I'LL
your days." he said.
"Oh, Pm pretty well fixed" said
Pyne, with Il responsive grin.
Ihen you are fortunate. There is
usually wrctched little tiend lurking
in a mans inner consciousness which
prompts him to desire the unattainn-
bic. Now, am n poor eater as a rule,
yet this morning feel could tackle
the toughest steak ever cut Off su.
perannuatcd cow"
~ don't deny" admitted Pync. .'tliat
tine idea of Il steak sounds good. That
is, you know" he went on languidly
lit might sort of appeal to me about
O'clock"
II should have thought You could &c
with one now, especially after the hard