The Irish standard., 1909-06-12

ness had passed.
He sat down on the rail instead, his
eyes defying hers.
She stepped aft, and his heart stood
still as she seemed on the point of
descending the companion. But she
had another purpose in mind. Throw
ing aside the gaskets. she stripped
the sail covers of the mainmast and
began with practiced hands to reef
down to the third reef. Then she
went forward and did the same to the
forestaysail. A minute later, hardly
knowing why or how, except that he
was helping Madge, Gregory. like .
man in a dream, was pulling with her
on the halyards Of both sails. The
wind Numbered in them as they rose:
the main boom jerked violently at
the sheet and dashed to and fro the
width OF the deck; the anchor chain
fretted and sawed in the hawse hole:
the whole schooner strained and
creaked and shook to the keelson.
Gregory, in amazement, asked Madge
what she was doing.
Going to sea, Greg" she said.
"Alone?" he cried. "Alone?"
"Joe and l." she said.
1t was on his tongue to tell her
Joe was dead; but, though he tried,
he could not do so. It. wasn't in
flesh and blood to tell her he had
killed her husband. He could only
look at her helplessly, and say over
and over again: ITO seal"
Greg" she said. II mean to leave
you while am brave-while I am vet
able to resist-while I can still re-
member am Joe's wife!"
And drown" he said.
What do care If do?" she re-
turned. What do care for any.
thing?"
III it's to be one or the other" he
said, "I1l go myself. With my big
schooner I'd have twice the chance
you'd have"
She put her arms round his neck
and kissed him.
"You sweet traitor" she said, you'd
play me false"
He protested vehemently that he
would not deceive her.
Besides" she said, II could risk
myself. but l couldn't bear to risk
you, Greg"
He tried last shot. The words
almost strangled In his throat.
And Ioe?" he said. Have you no
thought of Joe?"
".Ioe loves me-" she said-"loves
me thousand times better than you
ever did. Joe's man enough to
chance death rather than lose his
Wife"
But I won't let you go!" said Greg.
Dry.
You can't stop me-" she returned.
He caught her round the body and
tried to hold her. but she fought
herself free His strength was
gone: he was as feeble as a child {;
in the course OF those short hours
something seemed to have snapped
within him. Even Madge was start
led at his weakness.
Greg, you're ill!" she cried, as he
staggered and caught at backstay tc
save himself from falling. He sat
down on the house and tried to keep
back sob. Madge stopped and
looked anxiously into his face. She
had known him for two years as q
man of unusual sternness and self.
control; obstinate, reserved, willful
and moody. yet one that gave al
ways the impression of unninching
courage and resolution. It was mex.
plicable now to see him crying like q
woman. his square shoulders bent and
heaving. his sinewy hands opening
and shutting convulsively.
You're ill.," she repeated. "1'll 90
down and fetch you something"
This pulled him together I'm all
right Madge." he said. family. 81
suppose It's just touch Of the old
fever. See, it's passing already"
She watched him in silence. Then
she stepped forward. dropped down
the forecastle hatchway. and reap
peared with an ak. While he was won.
dering what she meant to do. she raised
it in the air and crashed It down on
the grooming anchor chain. 1t parted
at the first blow, and the Edelweiss.
now adrift. Numbered broadside on
to leeward
Madge ran aft, brought the schoon'
err up in the wind, and cried out to
Gregory to get into his boat.
He said sullenly he wouldn't do any.
thing of the kind.
She dashed the wheel and came up
to him.
II mean 1t. Greg" she said.
you are going to your death,
Madge," he said.
Get into your boat" she re-
peated.
He rose and slowly began to obey
obey.
"You may kiss me good-by, Greg"
she said.
She put up her face to his; their
lips met Then. with her arm around
him, she half forced. half supported
him to the port quarter, where his
hoaf waa Ginning against tho aide