The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-15

tend the sick man, and at dark Ill
fetch the oars. Then We'll wrap Mr..
St. George in the blankets and lay
him in the boat. The weather is
blessed calm, you see, and there's no
sign of a change. l can row the Vic
tory to Watchhaven all right. The
moon is near full, and before twelve
o'clock we can all be in the Bumpus
house, and Jim will bring a doctor
for Mr.. St. George, and therell be
nothing more to fear for any of us
J%acqueline's spirits rose.
"You excellent girl" she answered.
"You put new life into me! I shall
return home defeated, and poorer,
by far, than when I set forth to re-
cover my fortune, but I no longer
care for that. My sister, by this
time, is wild with anxiety for me,
and when we are in each others
arms again we shall be far too happy
to remember my failure"
For St. Georges sake, even more
than for her own, JacQueline prayed
that the plan of escape might not
miscarry.
Night came and Vic made ready to
leave the cave.
Don't get lonely, miss, while I'm
away" she pleaded. III not De
long. and I'll DO my best to find out
what's become of Mrs. Trevor-for
it's likely the sick man will want tc
know. that if he eve RECEIVERS his
Senses"
"vic, some one will see you and
you will be seized and locked up, as
I was, and then what will become or
ne here with this dying man."
"Lor', don't you fear, miss can
hold my own against every son OF
darkness on Deadman's island" re-
piled intrepid VIC and Jacqueline.
from the door of the cave. watched
her faithful ally cross, the rocks to
the main island and plunge into the
spruce thickets. There the night
swallowed her. With great sinking
of heart Jacqueline returned to her
post beside ST. George.
He had ceased to mutter. He lay
motionless, silent. The bandages
about his head gave him the appear
ance of a corpse. A food of woman
ly pity and compassion rushed over
.Jacqueline as she looked down on
him. At all hazards he must have
medical help-he must be conveyed
safely te Watchhaven! .
Time dragged on. Once a sea bird
on the rocks startled her with a
strange cry. Once she heard some
thing moving outside the cave. She
crept to the entrance and peered
forth. A pathetic bleat saluted her
ears. A gray shape was standing
among the cedars. A sheep had
strayed from the flock and crossed
the channel at low water. The lost
creature was wandering around the
cave like an innocent ghost.
Vic did not come!
Jacqueline. went often to the cave
door - looked often at her watch.
God grant no harm had befallen
brave, loyal Vic! Oh, to face forth
and seek her! But could she leave
st. George? His enemies might fall
upon him in her absence and finish
the work of the preceding night. No!
she would not forsake' the helpless
man, even for a moment. Her place
was in the a v
At last, a flying step-a swift shad-
ow slipping through the moonlight!
Vic, pale and painting, rushed INTO
the cave She had bundles in her
hand, which she flung from her, reck-
lessly, and grasping the fragment OF
mast, she damned it like a wedge
across the opening.
peter is after me-" she said to
Jacqueline. Il tried to throw him
off the scent, but he knew too much
for that. He's just behind and Joe
Raby with him-they hunt In
couples"
Instinctively, Jacqueline flew to, St.
George, and flung. the blankets over
his face, %concealing him from sight.
What have you in that kettle?"
gasped Vic-"boiling water-good!
1 got the Jars all right, but had to
drop EN- or be caught myself. Lord
help US! Here they GOMEZ"
. The tide had begun to rise in the
channel. Two figures, n behind the
other, splashed through it and APP
preached the cave ...-
Hold there!" shouted Vic across
the barrier of driftwood. what do
you wapt?" y
Peter advanced a step or two alone,
and answered.:
You jade! I've come to tell you
that you're dismissed from MI. Ire
vor's service"
1--WE dismissed myself, Peter; It
wasn't worth your while to bring NE
such news" ...,. s".
To be Continued. q