Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-06-10

still as she seemed on the point OF
descending the companion But she
had another purpose in mind. Throw
ing aside the gaskets. she stripped
the sail covers on the mainmast and
began with practiccd hands to reef
down 90 the third reef. Then shO
went forward and did tho same to the
forestaysail. A minute later, hardly
knowing why or how. except that he
was helping Madge. Gregory. like .
man in a dream. was pulling with her
on the halyards OF both sails. Tho
wind Numbered In them as they rose:
the main boom jerked violently as
the sheet and dashed to and fro the
width of the deck; tho anchor chain
fretted and sawed In the hawsc hole:
tho whole schooner strained and
creaked and shook to the keelson.
Gregory. in amazement, asked Madgo
what she was doing.
Going to sea, Greg" she said.
"Alone?" he cried. "Alone?"
Joe aud l." she said.
1t was on his tongue to tell her
Joe was dead; but. though he tried,
he could not do so. 1t wasn't In
flesh and blood to tell her no had
killed her husband. He could only
look at her helplessly, and say over
and over again: ITO seal"
Greg" she said. Il mean to leave
you while l am brave-while am yet
able to resist-while / can still re-
member l am Joe's wife!"
And drown" he said.
What do / care II l do?" she re.
turned. What do l care for any.
thlng?"
III It's to be one or the other" he
said. I'll go myself With my big
schooner I'd have twice the chance
you'd have"
She put her arms round his neck
and kissed him.
You sweet traitor" she said. YOU'D
play me false!"
He protested vehemently that he
would not deceive her.
Besides" she said, 1T could risk
myself. but couldn't bear to risk
you, Greg"
He tried last shot The words
almost strangled In his throat.
And Joe?" he said. "Have you NO
thought of Joe?"
Joe loves me-" she said-"Ioves
me a thousand times better than you
ever did. Joe's man enough to
chance death rather than lose his
wife"
But won't let you go!" said Greg.
Dry.
You can't stop me-" she returned.
He caught her round the body and
tried to hold her, but she fought
ctr
gone; he was as feeble al a child:
in the course of those short hours
something seemed to have snapped
within him. Even Madge was start
led ut his weakness.
Greg, you're III" she cried. as he
staggered and caught at a backstay to
save himself from falling. He sat
down on the house and tried to keep
back sob. Madge stopped and
looked anxiously into his face. She
had known him for two years as q
man OF unusual sternness and self
control; obstinate, reserved, willful
and moody, yet one that gave al
ways the impression of unflnchins
courage and resolution. 1t was inex-
plicable now to see him crying like q
woman, his square shoulders bent and
heaving, his sinewy hands opening
and shutting convulsively.
You're ill.," she repeated "I'll 60
down and fetch you something"
This pulled him together. I'm all
right. Madge." he said, family. II
suppose It's just touch OF the old
fever See, it's passing already"
She watched him in silence. Then
she stepped forward, dropped down
the forecastle hatchway, and reap
peared with an ak. While he was won
dering what she meant to do, she raised
II In the air and crashed 1t down ON
the groaning anchor chain. 1t parted
at the first blow. and the Edelweiss.
now adrift, Numbered broadside on
to- 1eeward.
Madge ran aft, brought the schoon.
er up in the wind, and cried out ia
Gregory to get into his boat.
He said sullenly he wouldn't do any,
thing OF the kind
She lashed the wheel and came up
to him.
II mean IL, Greg" she said.
you are going TO your death,
Madge," he said.
Get into your boat" she rs
peated
lie rose, and slowly began TO obey.
obey.
you may kiss me good-by, Greg"
she said.
She put up her face 10 his; their
lips met Then, with her arm around
him, she half forced half supported
him TO the port quarter. where his
boat was stopping against the side.
He wanted 70 resist; he wanted to
cry out and tell her the truth, but =
strange, leaden powerlessness be
numbed him. He got into the dinghy,