, 1909-04-01

over the sea. She gave mt heed In
this. for the sight OF the beacon had
instantly alarmed her with the DOS.
sibility that Blake was still on the
headland, and would imagine that she
was seeking him.
She paused, her cheeks afiame. But
the only sign of Blake that she could
see was the fire itself. She reflected
that he might very well have left be.
fore dawn. AS likely as not he had
descended at the north n of the
cleft and had gone off to the river TO
start his catamaran. At the thought
all the color ebbed from her cheeks
and left her white and trembling.
Again she stood hesitating. With a
gigh she started on toward the signal
staff.
She vas close upon the border OF
the bird colony when Blake sat up and
she found herself staring into his
blinking eyes.
"Hello!" he mumbled. drowsily. He
sprang up wide awake, and flushing
with the guilty consciousness of what
he had done. Look at the subway
mp. Didn't mean to oversleep, Miss
Leslie. You see ! was up pretty hate
tending the beacon. But of course
that's no excuse"
DON'T" she exclaimed. There were
tecrs in her eyes; yet she smiled as
she spoke. Il know what you mean
by pretty late You've been up all
night"
NO. haven't. Not all nirht-"
's'rn hn crrnf anita nD1nrCtapd
Mr.. Thomas Blake. Now sit down
and eat this luncheon"
Cant. Haven't lime. I've got to
get to the river and set to work. I'll
get some jerked beef and eat it on the
way You see"
Tom" she protested.
IT'S for you" he reioined, and his
lips closed together resolutely.
He was stepping past her, when
over the seaward edge of the cliff
there came a sound like the yell of a
raging sea monster.
SIREN" shouted Blake, whirling
about.
The cloud of smoke beyond the cliff
end was now rolling up more to the
left. He dashed away towards the
north edge OF the cliff as though he
intended to leap off into space. The
girl ran after him as fast as she could
over he loose stones. Before she had
covered half the distance she saw him
halt on the very brink of the cliff
and begin to wave and shout like a
mailman. A few steps farther on she
caught sight of the steamer. 1t was
lying close in, only a little way of
the north point of the headland.
Even as she saw the vessel, its siren
responded to Blake's wild gestures
with IA series of joyous screams. There
could be no mistake. He had been
seen. Already they were letting go
anchor, and there was a little crowd
of men gathering about one OF the
boats. Blake turned and started on a
run for the cliff. But Miss Leslie
darted before him, compelling him to
halt.
Wait" she cried, her eyes spar
king with happy tears. Tom, it's
come now. You needn't"
Let me by! I'm going to meet
them. / want to"
But she put her hands upon his
shoulders.
Tom" she whispered, let 1t be
now, before any one-ai,ything can
possibly come between us, Let 1t
h" ? part OF our life here-here, where
I've learned how brave and true a
real man can be-"
And then have him prove himself
a sneak" he cried. No; I won't,
Jenny! I've got you to think of. Wait
Till I've seen your father. Ten to
one he'll not hear OF it-hell cut you
on without a cent. Not but what I'D
be glad myself; but you're used to
Injuries, grille, and I'm a poor man.
| cam give them to you"
She laid a hand on his mouth and
smiled up at him in tender mockery.
Come, BOW, Mr.. Blake; you're not
very complimentary. After surviving
my cooking all these weeks, don't you
think might do, at a pinch, for a
poor mans wife?'
No, %Jennyl" he protested. trying
to draw back. You oughtn't to de-
l d nov. When YOU get back among
your friends things may look different.
Think of your society friends! Wait
tl1 You see me with other men-gen-
tlemen! I'm Just a rough, unculturnd,
ordinary
Hush she cried, and she again
placed her hand on his mouth. You
shant say such cruel things about Tom