The Elbert County tribune., 1908-05-14

"Get Into Your Boat"
He was so weak that she soon got the
better OF him-so weak and dizzy that
he did not guard himself as she struck
him on the mouth with her little
doubled-up fist.
He put his hand to his lip and
found 1t bleeding. He showed her
what she had done. She drew back,
and regarded him with mingled pity
and exultation.
Now Will you let me go?" she
cried
"Madge," he returned, "Joe's drunk
In his berth. / made him drunk.
Madge l had to talk to you, alone.
and there was no other way"
She was stung to the quick Her
husbands shame was hers. and It was
somehow plain that Horrible had been
at fault before. She never thought
to doubt Greg's word. though his cal
lousness revolted her.
what is it you want to say?" she
said at last in an altered voice.
ITO ask you to forgive me-"
For what? for taking advantage of
Joe's one failing?"
mo; for leaving you the way
did"
"rll never do that. Greg-never,
never, never!"
"Your father"
Don't try to blame my father,
Greg"
II blame only myself
why have you come back to tor
ture me?" she exclaimed. you said
1t was forever. You cast me of, when
cried and tried to keep you. You
said I'd never see you again"
81 was a fool, Madge"
"Then accept the consequences, and
leave me alone"
"And IL l can't"
She looked him squarely In the
eyes. Il am Joes wife," she said.
"Madge." he said. Il am not try
ing to defend myself I'm throwing
myself on your mercy. I'm begging
you, on my knees, for what threw
away. +"
You've broken my heart" she
said; why should / mind IL you
break yours?"
"Madge." he cried, "in ten minutes
we can be aboard the Northern
Light and under weigh; In an hour
we can be outside the reef; in two,
and this cursed island will sink for
ever behind us, and no one here will
ever see us again or know whittier we
have gone. Let US follow the gale,
and push into new seas, among new
people-Tahiti, Marquesas, the Pearl
islands-where we shall win back our
lost happiness. and find our love only
the stronger for what we've suf-
fered."
She pointed to the windward sky.
II think I know the port we'd make"
Then make It," he cried, "and go
down to It In each others arms"
For a moment she looked at him In
sort of exaltation. She seemed to
hesitate no longer. Her hot hands
reached for his, and he felt In her
quick and tumultuous breath the first
token OF her surrender. Herself a
child Of the sea. brought up from In
fancy among boats and ships, her
hand as true on the tiller. her spark
ling eyes as keen to watch the luff of
sail as any mans, she knew as
well as Gregory the he'll that await
ed them outside. To accept 30 ter
rible an ordeal seemed like purifi-
cation of her dishonor. II she died,
she would die unstained; II she lived,
It would be after such bridal that
would obliterate her tie to the sot
below. Then, on the eve of her Civ
Ing way. as every line In her body
showed her longing. as her head
dropped as though to find a resting
place on the breast OF the man she
loved, she suddenly called up all her
resolution and tore herself free.
"Tm Joe's wifel" she said.
Gregory faltered as he tried again
to plead with her: but In his minds
eye he saw that stiffeEing corpse be-
low, lying stark and cold on the cabin
floor.
you gave me to him." she burst
out I'm his, Greg. will not be-
tray my husband for any man."
Again he besought her to go with