The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-12-07

away existence or needless multitudcS.
Thus, broodlng in the gloom, a tor
| tured soul without form and void, she
| awaited the return of her messenger.
Constance, after looking in at the hos
pital, went on to the service room. Her
father was not there. She glanced up
to the trimming stage, expecting to see
him attending to the lamp. No. He
had gone. Somewhat bewildered, for
she was almost certain he was not in
any of the lower apartments, she climb
ed to the little door in the glass frame
All! There he was on the landward
side Of the gallery. What was the mat
ter now? Surely there was not an
other vessel in distress. However, be-
Ing relieved from any dubiety as to his
whereabouts. she went back to the
service room and gave herself the lux
TRY of moments rest. Oh, how tired
she was. Not until she sat down did
she realize what it meant to live as she
had lived and to do all that she had
done sIrlng the past four hours.
Her respite was of short duration.
Brand, his oilskins cleaning with wet.
came in.
Hello, sweetheart What's up
now? he cried in such cheerful voice
that she knew all was well.
"That was exactly what l was going
to ask you," she said.
"The Falcon is out there" he replied,
with side nod toward Mounts bay.
Constance knew that the Falcon was
n sturdy steam trawler, bulldog little
ship, built to face anything in the
shape of gales.
''They can do nothing, of course" she
commented.
"No. l stood between them and the
light for second, and they evidently
understood that l was on the lookout,
as a lantern dipped several times,
which l interpreted as meaning that
they will return at daybreak. Now
they are off to PenZance again."
"They turned safely then?"
Shipped sea or two, no doubt. The
wind is dropping, but the sea is run
ming mountains high
He had taken off his oilskins. Con-
stance suddenly felt strong dsincli-
nation to rise. Being a strong willed
young person, she sprang up instantly.
81 came to ask you If you can see
Mrs. Vansittart," she said.
Mrs. Vansittartv' he cried, with q
genuine surprise that thrilled her with
a pleasure she assuredly could not ac-
count for.
Eyes. She asked If she might have a
word with you"
He threw his hands up in comic de-
spair.
'Tell the good lady I am up to my
eyes in work. The oil is running low
must HE me to the pump ut once. l
have my journal to fill. If there Is no
sun l cannot heliograph and l have a
host of signals to look up and get
ready. And word in your ear, Connie,
dear. We will be at home on the rock
for the next forty-eight hours Give
the lady my very deep regrets and ask
her to allow me to send for her when
have a minute to spare some hours
hence"
She kissed him.
"You dear old thing" she cried. "You
will tire yourself to DEATH am sure"
He caught her by the chin.
mark my words" he laughed. you
will feel this night in your bones Ion
ger than 1. BY the way, no matter who
goes hungry. don't prepare any break
fast until l come to you. 1 suppose the
kitchen is your headquarters?
Yes, though Enid has had far more
Of Mr.. Pyne's company. She is cook,
you know"
us Pyne there too?'
"He is laundry maid, drying clothes"
81 think l shall like him." unused
Brand. "He seems to be helpful sort
Of youngster. That reminds me. Tell
him to report himself to Mr. Emmett |
as my assistant-if he cares for the |
post that is"
He did not see the ready spirit Of |
that danced in her eyes. Che |
pictured N1r. Pyne fixing things" with |
Mr.. Emmett mighty quick"
When she reached the first bedroom
floor Mrs. Vansittart had gone.
81 thought it would be strange if she |
stood long in this draft" unused Con- |
stance. She opened the door. The lady |
she sought was leaning disconsolate |
against wall.
my father she began.
II fear l was thoughtless," interrupt |
d Mrs. Vansittart. "He must be great |
Y occupied OF course 1 can see him |
II the morning before the vessel comes.
They will send a ship soon to take us
,ff?"
vas the glad answer. Indeed, dad
las Just been signaling to tug which
Will return at daybreak."
There was a joyous chorus from the
'ther inmates. Constance had not the
equisite hardihood to tell them how
hey misconstrued her words.
AS she Quilted them she admitted to
lerself that Mrs. Vansittart, though
disturbing in some of her moods, was
eally very considerate. 1t never &C.
urred to her that her new acQuaint-
nee might have suddenly discovered
he exceeding wisdom Of proverb
oncerning second thought.
Indeed, Mrs. Vansittart now bitterly
egretted the impulse which led her to
'etray any knowledge of Stephen
Brand or his daughter OF all the fol-
les of a hayward life, that was inn
neasurably the greatest ip Mrs. Van
ittart's critical scale.
But what would you? 1t Is not often