The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-05-23
But The moment Of her mad,

i
ness had passed.
He sat down on the rail instead, his
eyeL defying hers.
Sne stepped aft, and his heart stood
| 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 practiced hands to reef
down 20 the third reef Then sho
went forward and did the same to tho
forestaysail. A minute later. hardly
knowing why or how, except that he
was helping Madge. Gregory. like .
man In dream, was pulling with her
on the halyards Of both sails. The
wind Numbered In them as they rose;
the main boom jerked violently at
the sheet and dashed to and fro tho
width Of the deck: the anchor chain
| fretted and sawed In the hawse hole;
the whole schooner strained and
creaked and shook to the keelson.
| Gregory, In amazement asked Madge
what she was doing.
Going to sea. Greg" she said.
"Alone7" he cried. Alone"
Joe and l." she said.
II 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 he had
killed her husband. He could only
| look at her helplessly. and say over
and over again: ITO seal"
Greg" she said. II mean to leave
| you while am brave-while am yet
able to resist-while can still re-
member / am Joe's wife!"
And drown" he said.
what do l care II do?" she 70
turned. What do I care for any
thing?"
IF 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 mo false!" f
He protested vehemently that no
would not deceive her.
Besides" she said, II could risk
myself. but couldn't bear to risk
| you, Greg"
He tried last shot The words
almost strangled in his throat.
And Joer' he said. Have you no
thought OF Joer
Joe loves me-" she said-"loves
me a thousand times better than you
ever did. Joe's man enough to
chance death rather than lose his
| wife"
But I won't let you go!" said Greg
DRY.
| "You can't stop mo-" she returned.
He caught her round the body and
tried to hold her, but she fought
herself free. His strength was
gone; he was as feeble as child:
In the course Of those short hours
something seemed to have snapped
within him. Even Madge was start
led at 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 anxiousiy into his face. She
had known him for two years as .
man Of unusual sternness and self
control; obstinate, reserved, willful
and moody. yet one that gave al
ways the impression Of unfinching
courage and resolution. 1t was mex
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 90
down and fetch you something"
This pulled him together. I'm all
right, Madge." he said, family. Il
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 az. While he was won.
dering what she meant to do. she raised
II In the air and crashed II down on
the grooming anchor chain. 1t parted
at the first blow. and the Edelweiss.
now adrift, blundered broadside on
| to leeward.
Madge ran aft, brought the schoon.
er up In the wind, and cried out to
Gregory to get into his boat.
He said sullenly he wouldn't do any.
| thing Of the kind.
She dashed the wheel and came up
! to him.
II mean II. Greg" she said.
You are going to your death.
Madge," he said.
Get into your boat!" she 70
peated. 81
He rose. and slowly began to obey.
obey. 0E
"You may kiss me good.by, Greg"
she said. tx
She put up her face to 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 to resist: he wanted 70
cry out and tell her the truth, but .
arrange, leaden powerlsssness b.
numbed him. He got into the dinghy.