The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-10-17

old dread fell again upon Constable. Hs
drew the girl forward, almost running.
Il beg OF you-don't look back !" he NUT.
tered. "The launch is just ahead"
Hello, Ernst l 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 foasam, dead birds from the sky.
and nameless mysteries from the rolled
bed of the harbor. The wind was hot
in their faces, like a stoke-hold blast.
Often he heard a kissing in the water,
like the sound of wet finger touching
hot iron. A burning cinder fell upon his
hand, messenger from Pelee, and clear
ed the source of the sounds. He jerked
off his coat and tossed it about her shout
ders. which the flmy shawl and the deli
cate fabric of her waist scarcely pro-
tected.
But you" she protested.
II 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 woman's eyes than
in a Nile night, Venetian song. or in the
flow of gasoline to the spark, which filled
the contemplation of Ernst.
Beloved" he whispered at last, Il
will tell you how much l love you at
our golden wedding"
He heard the swift intaking 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
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 met" Constable
said softly. Grand old Pelee-he has
been true blue! He made me his heir,
and waited for me to carry his fairest
Blow, old Vulcan, now! Splash at ten
league canvas with brushes of comets
hair! And you, gorgeous girl, have you
any charity for man who grows inco-
herent from sheer joy?'
Eyes, even though he forgets the city"
she answered.
Captain Negley approached them.
"We're about 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 we'll, 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 defled harbor was behind. Many
were humming the old French lullabes 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 l went back to
your mother now. or. rather, after day
light. could persuade her to join us?"
Il knew it would come to that" she
said, with shudder. II have been try
ing to put it off. Can't you guess that
had a bitter price to pay before following
your friend to- night? She will not join
u.s."
Il am going back to try, Lara. think
can guess something that you passed
through before leaving the house."
"Oh. no, you cannot! l could not SUI
fer you to hear the words she uttered.
1t was like the wrath of Pelee-only
causeless and without warning"
Ito be continued.)