The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-03-18

old dread fell again Upon Constable. II
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 walt
ing long" he called as they neared tn
end Of the pier. Top speed to the Mad
anne !"
The bells Of Saint Pierre rang the hou|
Of two The launch was speeding across
the smoky harbor. riding down littl'
isles OF hoasam. dead birds from the sky
and nameless mysteries from the roiles
bed Of the harbor. The wind was ho|
In their faces. like a stoke-hold blast
Often he heard a kissing In the water
like the sound Of a wet finger touching
hot iron. A burning einder fell upon his
hand. a messenger from Pelee. aud clear.
ed the source Of the sounds. lie jerked
of his coat and tossed il about her shoul.
ders. which the dlmy shawl and the dell.
cate fabric Of her waist scarcely pro
tected.
But you" she protested.
Il could not feel ire tonight :"
Her face in the lantern-ray enchanted
him In mingled shyness and ecstasy he
took it between his hands. Tie could not
speak for the marvel of the thipg-that
this. so vigrant. so beautiful. was for
him to kiss and worship and keep bright.
Her cheeks were as soft as a flower. her
eyes glowing with the ardor which the
tropics alone can inspire In flower and
woman. In the strange light. be gazed
with the raptness Of one who seeks to
penetrate the mystery Of being-as II ii
were any clearer in a woman's eyes than
in a Nile night. a Venetian song. or In the
dow Of gasoline to the spark. which filed
the contemplation Of Ernst.
Beloved" he whispered at last. Il
viii 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. dearestT' he whis
pered.
"You win not 90 back to Saint Pierre p
I'VE need not think Of that now. We
are going together 6rst-out into deep
water and ocean air - He was helping
her up the ladder When they reached
the main deck. he called to Captain Neg
ley on the bridge: Pull US out Of this
blizzard, captain-a dozen miles II 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
we're kicking the ugly harbor tide. They
watched. until only the dull red Of Pelee
the thick veil behind: until a
star. and another. pricked the blue vault
ahead. and the air blew in fragrant as
vine from the rolling Caribbean
How sweet life is TO mel" Constable
aid softly. Grand old Pelee-he has
'een true bluei He made me his heir.
md waited for me 10 carry his fairest
laughter out into these r~eviving winds.
Blow. old Vulcan. now Splash at a ten
canvas with brushes Of comets
air. And you. gorgeous girl have you
ny charity for a man who grows inco-
from sheer joyY !
-Yes. even though be forgets the city
he answered.
Captain Negley approached them +,
We're about a dozen miles out now. 1
IT." he said. =
Cruise around until daylight. captain I
hen draw In until you can find bottom
} hitch to. but not any closer than seven /.
r eight miles !.
Very well, sir" :
Lara and Constable leaned over the aft !
liling Of the bridge. The main deck I
slow swarmed with women Of Saint p
They could not stay below. now n
the defled harbor was behind. Many '
ere humming the old French lullabies to r
little ones Good food and cool air =
I'd brought back the songs Of peace and :
INNER to those lowly hearts.
Lara, do you think IL ! went back to
,ur mother now, or, rather. after day y
.ht. I could persuade her to join us?" a
II knew IL would come 70 that" she Il
i'd, with a shudder. Il have been try q
z to put It Of. Can't you guess that / a,
d a bitter price to pay before following n,
friend tonight She will not join y
- -
Il am going back to try. Lara. ! think "a
can guess something that you passed \,
before leaving the house"
~Oh, no, you cannot I could not sur ~
you to hear the words she uttered tr
was Ike the wrath Of Pelee-only pa
useless and without warning"
Ito be continued.)