Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-29

hatchway. He waited for favorable
moment, and then lifted the hatch.
"Shil," he cried, "here, quick Take
this woman, and lay her carefully on
one Of the hunks She's ILL.,"
Shil was already at the foot Of the
ladder. and. stretching out his arms,
took the lifeless bundle from Tank
erlanes hands.
BE careful with her." said Tank
erlane. I'll put the hatch on to keep
the waves out, and be with you in a
minute"
He replaced the hatch just in time,
and great wave swept him fo'ard
on his hands and, knees. Rising to
his feet. he saw Dowsett clinging 10
the forestry, and helping an elderly
woman on to the boat. Then sudden
" the black cottage before him seem
ed to crumble up like a house, of
cards. The lights went out, the walls
caved ill., and the whole dwelling ap-
peared to dissolve in a white mist.
For one moment a great piece of the
roof hung on the bowsprit of the
smack Then, the weight Of the un-
supported tile and timber snapped
the spar like a twig, and nothing was
left of Dowsetts house but a few
black specks, dancing and whirling in
a torrent Of foam.
Near CO." said Dowsett catching
his wife by the waist and looking
steadily at the swirl of waters which
marked the site of his old home.
"Oh, them carpets and. things"
walled the woman ooh SAM tbs
cruel work, and we've saved SO hard,
we have, for them bits Of stuff
flush. woman said Dowsett stern
ly. Thank God for life. Who be
you?" and he turned to Tankerlane
with a fierce glare in his eyes.
THE Hope and Glory said Tank
erlane, from Gorehaven.'
"Yardley's smack Where be Yard
ley, and that limb Of the devil, young
Playle?'
Overheard, Tankerlane replied
CURLY. He was already learning to
spare his words, following the ex-
ample Of men of action.
"Dead?" queried Dowsett "And
you? Who be you?"
mo sailor, as you may guess"
BE alone?"
There's another man in the cabin,
Mr.. John Shil, of Black Hall"
"Mr. Shil?" cried Mrs. Dowsett.
"The Lord be praised, the Lord be
praised. We though him dead"
you thought him dead?" asked
Tankerlane slowly, as the truth began
to force itself into his mind. "Who
are you, them"
Sam Dowsett be-
And the lady you handed me just
now, the lady who is ill?"
Friend of Mr.. Shils-styin' with us
-mebbe you knows more'n we do, If
you be friend of Mr.. ShiPs.'
Certainly 1 do replied Tanker
lane. She is Lady Tankerlane, and
my, wife"
Dowsett did not answer, but he
looked at his wife as though she might
help him out of the intricacies of a
difficult position She did not offer
to do so, however, and he sought re-
fuge in matters which required i'm
mediate attention.
Where be Mr. Shil, sir?" he asked.
Down below He is helpless.
have had to sail the boat by myself.
We picked him up Black Split
Island; he's half dead and has lost
his sight. But I'm not concerned with
him. What's the matter with my wife,
Lady Tankerlane?"
Fever on the BRAIN said Mrs
Dowsett. Poor lamb. She'd just
passed the worst; and now this has
come, twill kill her for sartin."
60 and look after her at once
said Tankerlane. TN make good
everything you've lost in. the house
and reward you handsomely
must get Mr.. Shil out of the cabin
and answer no questions. If my wife