The Mena weekly star., 1908-11-26

S te feefs v,as.1 was fast n,,in smG0th,ns ,D tns dead calm, they did not see Blake on his return until he struck shallow wa ter and stood up to wade ashore. The tide had begun to ebb before he started landward, and though he was a powerful swimmer, the long pull against the current had so tired him that when he took to wading he moved at tortoise-like gait.
 "The bloomin' loafer!" commented Wlnthrope, He glanced quickly about and at sight of Miss Leslie's archina brows, hastened to add: Beg par, don! He--ah-reminds me so much of navvy, you know"
 Miss Leslie made no reply.
 At last Blake was out of the water and toiling up the muddy beach to the spot where he had left his clothes. While dressing he seemed to recover from his exertions in the water, for the moment he had finished he sprsng to his feet and came forward at a brisk pace.
 As he approached, Wlnthrope waved his fifth cigarette at him wi h languid enthusiasm, and called out as heartily as his dry lips would per nit; T say, Blake, deuced glad the sharks didn't get you'" Sharks ?-bahl All you have to do is to splash little. and they haul off. D How about the steamer, MT. Blake?" asked Miss Leslie, turning to face him.
 All under but the maintopmast-- curse it!-wire rigging at thati Couldn't even get a bolt" "A bolt?"
 Not bolt; and here we are as good as naked on this infernal--Hey E youl what you doing with that match T Light your cigarette-light it.-- Dam X nationl"
 & Heedless of Blake's warning cry, Winthrope had strdck his last vesta, and now, angry and bewildered. he stood staring while the little taper burned itself out. With an oath. Blake sprang to catch 1t as it dropped from between Winthrope's fingers. But he was too far away. It fell among the damp rushes, spluttered, and flared < out.
 For moment Blake knelt, staring at the rushes as though stupefied ; then he sprang up before Winthrope his bronzed face purple with anger.
 Where's your matchbox? Got any more?" he demanded
 Last one, I fancy-yes: last one and there are still two cigarettes. But 'ook here, Blake. cant tolerate your baking so deucedly--"
 You idiot! you-you- Hell! and every one for cigarettes"
 From growl Blake's voice burst into a roar of fury, and sprang upon lnthrope like wild beast. His Faads closed upon the EngIishman's hroat, and he began to shake him 1 bout, paying no heed to the blows lis victim showered upon his face and poay, blows which soon began to les Zen in force.
 | lerror-stricken, Miss Leslie put heI ands over her eyes, and began tc eream--the piercing shriek that will hnerye the strongest man Blake aased as though transfixed. and as the aisuifooated Englishman struggled
 his grasp, he flung him on the found and turned to the screaming lrl.
 stop that squawlSingl" he said. The
 coWed down. 50; that's better eNt time keep your mouth shut
 You-you brutelg
 20
 iou coward--to attack man mol your strength"
 steady, steady, young lady! Tn
 enough yet; I've still half
 ad to wiring his fool neck"
 hut why should you be so angry
 laI has he done, that you"
 Nhy-why? Lord what hasn't h'
 neg This coast fairly swarms witt
 as's We've not the smell of gun
 now this idiot--this dough-head-
 gone and thrown away our onl'
 tre-and on his measly ciga
 Blake choked with returninl Mge
 lnIhrope, still panting for breath
 tan to creep away, at the same tim Sniasping a small penknife. He wa
 'e With fear; but his gray eyes
 ch on shipboard Blake had neve
 other than extensively supercil'
 now glinted in manner tha
 sea 70 alter the Americans mood.
 ihatn do" he said. Come her
 snow me that knife"
 ' show 1t you where it will do th
 sood," muttered Winthrope ri'
 hastily to repel the expected a so You've got little sand, too Blake almost good-naturedi' that's not so bad. We'll call on the matches Though ho'