Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-03-05

old dread fell again upon Constable. he
drew the girl forward, almost running.
II beg OF you-don't look back !" he mutt
tered. 1.-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
anne -
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 nameess 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 a wet finger touching
hot iron. A burning cinder fell upon his
hand, a 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 ilmy shawl and the deli
cate fabric of her waist scarcely pro-
tected.
But YOU" she protested.
81 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 a 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 a woman's eyes than
in Nile night, Venetian song, or in the
flow of gasoline to the spark, which filled
| the contemplation of Ernst.
Beloved" he whispered at last, 81
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 !"
|
are going together frst-out into deeI
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 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 duh red of Pele'
pierced the thick veil behind; until {
star, and another, pricked the blue vaul
ahead, and the air blew in fragrant al
wine from the rolling Caribbean.
How sweet life is to mel" Constable
said softly. Grand old Pelee-he ha
been true blue He made me his heir
and waited for me to carry his flares
daughter out into these reviving winds
Blow, old Vulcan, now Splash at a ten
league canvas with brushes Of comets
hair! And you, gorgeous girl, have yol
any charity for a man who grows inco
herent from sheer joyT"
Eyes, even though he forgets the city,
she answered.
Captain Negey approached them
Were about a dozen miles out now
sir" he said.
i Cruise around until daylight, captain
then draw in until you can find bottom
to hitch to, but not any closer than sever
or eight miles"
VERY well, SIR
Lara and Constable leaned over the af
railing of the bridge. The main dec
below swarmed with women of Sain
Pierre. They could not stay below, nov
that the defiled harbor was behind. Man
were humming the old French lullabies t
their little ones Good food and cool al
had brought back the songs of peace an
summer to those lowly hearts.
Lara, do you think if l went back t
your mother now, or, rather, after day
light, could persuade her to join us?"
81 knew it would come to that" sh
said, with a shudder. Il have been try
ing to put it off. Can't you guess that
had bitter price to pay before followin
your friend tonight? She will not joi
u.s."
81 am going back to try, Lara. | thin
can guess something that you passe
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-onl
causeless and without warning"
Ito be continued.)