, 1909-08-12
CHAPTER XXX.
In Which We Come to the End

a rather wide berth when | came
again 10 consciousness. a ye low glow
OF suhiignt streaming in through all
open port. and the clanking sound of
machinery in my ears. | closed my
eyes again. YEARLY, my head ree'ing
yet from the decisions of the past. No.
this was real-a steamer. rising and
falling on the swell. but pushing stead
lily forward to the rapid revolutions of
the screw. I could hear the tramping
Of feet on deck, even the slush OF the
sea without. | opened my eyes again.
watching a curtain wave to the fresh
air rushing in through the port, and
hen | turned my read on the pillow.
Doris sat on a low stool gazing out
Trough the aperture on the sea her
lace partially turned away. She looked
.iale, cGrcworn, her eyes heavy and
sad. Suddenly she turned her glance
in my direction, and sprang up with q
clad cry.
"Oh, Jack, you have been lying
there so long unconscious!"
l could only clasp her hands and
saze into the depths of her gray eyes.
II have proved rather a poor speci-
men of a man, l fear, dear" / con-
essed at last. ashamed of my weak
.ess. How long?"
1T is three days since we were
brought on board, and we were a day
nd night in the boat after you lost
cnsciousness."
| ~enleavored to think 1t out, to conf
rehend. She leaned farther over. her
iDs touching my cheek.
Don't worry about 1t, Jack; every
alag is all right now. Johnson ooh
our place at the tiller, and-and we
re picked up"
What vessel Is this?"
The Ell Cid, Valparaiso to Buenos
Ayres-a coast-trader."
And the others? Do they live?"
"All but Sanchez; he died the night
.fter our rescue. Kelly is half
RACED yet, but they think he will get
over it. De Nova was very badly
oxen. but Celeste was out on deck
esterday."
lay there looking at her, striving
a~liantly to put all these horrors
way, and to face the present n TIE
iture. Ny handclasp tightened, for
| could no longer keep back the one
question which trembled on my lips.
But you. Doris. you! Do you still
lean what you said yonder? Are
Ee only saved to lose each other?
lave you heard? Do you know any
thing. of him."
The red blood flooded the pale
cheeks the long lashes yelling the
gray eyes.
oh, not now; don't speak II that
now
But | must, | cannot wait in sus-
pense,' l insisted, lifting myself on
the pillow. You have heard-tell
me-"
II have been a coward" she fall
tered. II hav not asked; | have
not even told my name to those on
board. l was afraid the knowledge
might place all under arrest; besides
IL wanted to nurse you"
looked at her, my heart falling.
my voice trembling as l spoke.
"But-but are you going to-Eng-
land?"
Yes"
When"
There was a long pause, in which l
heard her rapid breathing.
"They-they tell me | can get pas
sage on an English vessel, the AL
b~atross, within u few days after We
reach Buenos Ayres."
Her hand frightened on mine, and
she dropped to her knees. her lace
buried in the coverlet.
fought the devil in me like a man,
my hands clenched, my teeth set fierce
ly, but it was a while before l could
control my voice sufficiently for re-
ply. She did not lift her head, and as
l continued to gaze at her my heart
throbbed with a love which became
sacrifice.
Doris" | managed to whisper at
last. whatever you believe to be
right ! will think right also. Only let
me be alone for a little while-just a
little while, until | can fight this out
and conquer"
She lifted her head, her hand on my
into mine.
II thank you. Jack" she smiled
'remblingly. The next mon, nj | " -
alone.
While | was sitting up and rart,"''v
dressed that evening. Marsden. the
chief mate, came in and told me briCf-
ly the story of our rescue.
"We were considerably to the W ST
of our course" he said, gravely. be.
cause we had met headwinds and q
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