The Democratic advocate., 1908-01-24

down the lane that led to the sea, when
he heard the sound of running footsteps
behind him and turned. The Lively Girl
rushed at him and held his sleeve, as il
she feared that he might escape before she
found her voice. They were both staying
in the only hotel at place which is out
Of the world, and shall not come into ii
from my telling. She had been there a
week with her aunt, but he had come only
the day before in little yacht of his own.
They knew nothing of each other, not
even the names; but, since the mind must
have pegs to hang its thoughts upon, they
had named each other as [ have called
them. He was thirty, and perhaps more
a man who might be anything, the girl
thought, but certainly gentleman.
She was twenty, and perhaps less. "a
merry little MINK the Grave Man had
said in his thoughts. His thought were
not so solemn as that grave face Of his.
Her own face was the graver at the mo-
ment.
''Take me to Mailport in your boat, y
she entreated, catching her breath between
her words. "There is no train for three
hours, and the carriage is out, and my
bicycle is broken; and it is life or death. y
The Grave Man looked at the sea and
the clouds and frowned thoughtfully.
''It is very rough" he said dispassion-
ately II had decided not to venture out
this afternoon. But, if it really is case
of life and Death
"Yes," she cried. "Yes, yes She
looked at him pleadingly, knowing well
that she was very pretty girl. ooh,
do o.
Gas it is so serions,'' he said, II will
90; but it is too rough for you. Do you
want a doctor?''
"No, no 1t ism illness. It's worse.
And you can t do it for me. No one can.
[ must go aboard the mail boat before it
starts 1 must. I-oh Don't waste
time talking. l must CO."
every WE'LL He resumed his walk
down the stony lane to the beach, and she
walked with him. His boat-a tiny half
decked cutter, with cabin for one-lay
under the lee of the little rubble pier, green
with seaweed and mussels. He helped
the girl on board, unlocked the cabin and
dragged out the foresail and proceeded to
put it up.
"Get a cushion for YOURSELF he Or
dered over his shoulder. ''Put out the
boathook and balers The thing like a
small pail, and the can in it, I mean.
We shall ship some water.
Yes, those. Now, un-
fasten the big SAIL Put the tapes on the
seat. shall want them again. Now,
tie up these reef points two rows higher
like this. No, no. So"
"We shan go SO fast if you make the
sail smaller" she protested.
"We shall go to the bottom if don t, >
he replied grimly. "You understand that
you are taking risk p
eyes. II must.
'You are not afraid p
She laughed uneasily and pushed back
her hair
sI am afraid she owned; "but l
must 60"
every well. I must try to make a
sailor of you. It's difficult to manage
alone in this high wind, you see. Pull
on this rope. Now E.
Now Again. That S
right. Now sit there. Be ready to duck
your head when the boom swings over. y
He united the boat, pushed it from the
pier, stuck the tiller in its socket and sat
down, and they slipped away gradually into
the sheltered water. "Put your hat in
the cabin, and take cap from the locker
on the left. mean that cupboard under
the seat. Now, lock the door and give
me the key. don't want more water in
there than I can help. Now sit still and
dom be frightened when she leans over.
Now! Hold tight"
A great wave caught the side of the
boat with loud slap, and the spray few
over them. The boat sprang forward like
dog off the chain The mast creaked
and the cordage groaned. The girl clung
to the side and trembled. The Grave
Man lit his pipe calmly, holding the tiller
under his arm.
''Now she feels it," he remarked care
lessly, as he threw the match overheard
and splashing wave rushed it away.
The girl held the seat-and her breath.
ssWill it be-like this-all the time p
she asked.
s'Nor p said the man with laugh.
''Not bit This is nothing. just wait
till we are past the point. But the boat
will stand it-unless the storm blows up.
Well, I told you it was risk. But it
ism t too late to turn back.
land l told you it was matter of life
and DEATH said the girl 81 can turn
back -
The man nodded.
'.What is your matter of life and
death p he asked.
The girl pushed her cap on little furth-
er 1t was red stocking cap, and it set
off her black hair. Shepushed some stray
ing locks under it.
II suppose you are entitled to know,
she said slowly.
II think so, her companion answered.
She adjusted the cap again and looked
at him, considering how much she should
tell him. There were some feminine sub
terfuges in her mind at first; but he did
not look like good subject for subter
fuges, and she was not sure that she liked
to deceive him, because he had accepted
the risk first and asked the reason after
ward. He was strong, she felt; and wo-
mems burdens are meant to be shifted to
strong shoulders; and she wanted to tell
some one-being woman. Also it is not
easy to be little and crafty before the great
threatening sky and the great swollen sea.
She would tell him-the truth
sit is man. she confessed, twisting
her gloves in her hand. 81 needn't tell