Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-12-18

bursts the bonds of repression for the first
time, she gave him her heart of hearts.
She was like a queen who summons a
man of her people into her inner sane
tuary and bids him rule herself and her
kingdom. Resistless, trembling, whisper.
ing, she was drawn into his arms.
''To think didn't know you when you
first came !" she was saying family. But
when l was little girl knew you-used
to be frightened because you were so big
Always then | knew you would
come some time to take me away for
your lady, and l thought l would cry
when you came because | would be so
| happy. That part didn't come true. did
| it, Strongheart? They were all
dreams, baby dreams, as if left over from
some other betrothal with you! And
when | grew into big girl, Sir Peter, l
was ashamed, and put them away, with
other baby thoughts and things
All, listen to old Pelee y
The volcano had lost his monstrous
rhythm and was ripping forth irregular
crashes. Rue Victor Hugo was alive
with voices, aroused by the hideous rat
Ting in the throat of the mountain. The
old dread fell again upon Constable. He
drew the girl forward, almost running.
II beg of you-don't look back :" he NUT
tered. 1.-The launch is just ahead.'
Hello, Ernst | have kept you wait.
ing long," he called as they neared the
end of the pier. Top speed to the Mad
ame !"
The bells of Saint Pierre rang the hour
of two. The launch was speeding across
the smoky harbor. riding down little
isles of fioasam, dead birds from the sky,
and nameless mysteries from the rolled
bed Of the harbor. The wind was hot
in their faces, like stoke-hOld blast.
Often he heard kissing in the water,
like the sound of a wet finger touching
hot iron. A burning cinder fell upon his
hand, a messenger from Pelee, and clear
ed the source of the sounds. He jerked
off his coat and tossed it about her shoul-
ders, which the filmy shawl and the deli
cate fabric of ner waist scarcely. pro-
tected.
But you" she protested.
81 could not feel fire tonight! ~
Her face in the lantern-ray enchanted
him. In mingled shyness and ecstasy he
took it between his hands. He could not
speak for the marvel of the thing-that
this, so vigrant, so beautiful was for
him to kiss and worship and keep bright.
Her cheeks were as soft as flower, her
eyes glowing with the ardor which the
tropics alone can inspire in flower and
woman. In the strange light, he gazed
with the raptness of one who seeks to
penetrate the mystery of being-as if it
were any clearer in a woman's eyes than
in Nile night, Venetian song, or in the
flow of gasoline to the spark, which filled
the contemplation of Ernst.
Beloved he whispered at last, II
will tell you how much | love you at
our golden wedding"
He heard the swift intakng of her
breath with the peculiar tremble which
follows tears. The launch was swinging
around to the Madame's ladder Wherever
the ship lights fell, the sheeting of ash
could be seen-upon mast and railing and
plates.
Are you frightened, dearest?' he whis.
pered.
You will not go back to Saint Pierre -
1--WE need not think of that now. We
are going together frst-out into deep
water and ocean air ~ He was helping
her up the ladder. When they reached
the main deck, he called to Captain Neg.
ley on the bridge: Pull us out of this
blizzard, captain-a dozen miles if nee
essary, and quick as you can"
They had scarcely reached the bridge
before the anchor chain began to grind
Three minutes later the Madame's screws
were kicking the ugly harbor tide. They
watched, until only the dull red of Pelee
pierced the thick veil behind; until a
star, and another, pricked the blue vault
ahead, and the air blew in fragrant as
wine from the rolling Caribbean.
How sweet life is to mt" |" Constable
said softly. Grand old Pelee-he has
been true blue! He made me his heir,
and waited for me to carry his fairest
daughter out into these revving winds
Blow, old Vulcan, now Splash at a ten
league canvas with brushes of comets
hair! And you, gorgeous girl, have you
any charity for a man who grows inco-
herent from sheer joy?"
Eyes, even though he forgets the city,"
she answered.
Captain Negley approached them.
"We're about a dozen miles out now,
sir" he said.
"Cruise around until daylight, captain
then draw in until you can find bottom
to hitch to, but not any closer than seven
or eight miles,"
"Very well, sir"
Lara and Constable leaned over the aft
railing of the bridge. The main deck
below swarmed with women of Saint
Pierre. They could not stay below, now
that the defiled harbor was behind. Many
were humming the old French lullabies to
their little ones Good food and cool air
had brought back the songs of peace and
summer to those lowly hearts.
Lara, do you think If | went back to
your mother now, or, rather, after day