The Delta independent., 1910-09-30


His right arm shot up. AS Orme. jerk
ing at the rope. tried to tighten the
moose. the hand Of the Japanese push
ed 1t over his head and it slid over
the side into the water In a few
peared in the night
Tightening his lips grimly, Orme
drew the wet rope in and mechanical
ly coiled It, There was nothing to
say. He had failed So good an op-
portunity to recover the papers would
hardly return.
Silently he turned back to the 9TH
ers. Porter had swung the launch
around and was heading toward the
distant lights of Evanston. The girl
was peering in the direction whence
came the sound of the feceding boat
Thus, for some time they remained
siler.
At last the girl broke into a laugh.
1t was a ripping. silvery laugh. ex-
pressing an infectious appreciation OF
the humor of their situation. Orme
chuckled in spite of himself If she
could laugh like that. he need not stay
| in the dumps. And yet in his mind
rankled the sense of failure. He had
made a poor showing before her-and
| she was laughing. Again the corners
| of his mouth drew down.
Il suppose the notion is amusing"
he said-"a cowboy at sea"
oh. | was not laughing at YOU"
| She had sobered quickly at his words
Il shouldn't blame you. If You did" Z"
1T is the whole situation" she went
| on. And 1t wouldn't be so funny. ii
| it weren't so serious"
Il appreciate it, he said
| she went on. But truly. Mr.. Orme
| am glad that we did not da. iage
| that boat. 1t might have been ter
| rible. If he had been drowned" her
voice trailed of In faint shudder
and Orme remembered how tired she
| must be. and how deeply disappointed
Now. Girl he said. bending over
her and speaking in low voice. try
to forget it, Tomorrow / am going
after the papers. will get them"
She looked up at him. Her eyes
were softly confident. Il believe you
she whispered. You never give up.
do vou?'
No he said. 81 never give up
" utH ain SllINlHB lot bOlntlnlnB
which | greatly want" There was
meaning in his voice. though he had
| struggled 20 conceal it. She lowered
her eyes. and said no more.
Slowly the lights of shore grew
| brighter. After a time Orme could
distinguish the masses OF trees and
buildings. grayly illuminated by the
arc lamps Of the streets. He spoke
to Porter in an undertone.
| Can you land us some distance
south Of the life-saving station?" he
asked
Sure. I'll run in by the Davis
street pier"
| I'll be obliged to you.' Orme
| sighed. Il made a bad mess Of IT,
kdidn't II" ~
'Oh. don't know" replied the life
saver. I'VE got the lady"
Orme started. Yes he said, I'VE
got the iady-and that's more i'm
portant than all the rest of It,"
Porter grinned a noncommittal grin
and devoted himself to the wheel.
They had saved the girl, In his
disappointment over the escape OF the
Japanese Orme had forgotten. but
now he silently thanked God that Por-
ter and he had come out on the water
The girl had not yet explained her
presence In the boat In her own
good time she would tell him. But
/ she had been there under compulsion:
and Orme shuddered to think what
might have happened.
He stole a glance at her. She was
leaning back on the seat. Her eyes
| were closed and her pose indicated
complete relaxation. though It was
evident from her breathing that sh-
was not asleep. Orme marveled at
her ability to push the nervous ex.
citement Of the evening away and
snatch the brief chance OF rest
When at last the launch ran up
under the end of a little breakwater
near the Davis street pier. she arose
quickly and spraDg out of the boat
without help. Then she turned. as
Orme stepped up beside her. and
| spoke to Porter. IF you and Mr..
Orme had not come after me-" she
said. there's no telling whether
should ever have got back. ! should
like to shake hands with you" she
added; and bending down. she held
out her hrm white hand.
Then Orme laid his hand on tho
life savers shoulder. You've done
a piece Of good work tonight" he
eaid
Porter laughed embarrassedly. Il
only ian the boat for you." he began
You took me at my word said
Orme. "and that's . good deal In such
q case. Goodby. will look you up
before I 20 back east"
At the side Of the girl. Orme now
walked slowly through the deserted
streets. II was some time before she