Manchester Democrat., 1910-03-23

IN his pa1amas and received confirma.
don Of the midshipman's extraordinary
story from the watch oftcer. It was
light enough now for the waters and
the shore clearly to be SEEN The cap.
tain stared over the side. He could
make out the mans head swimming
through the opening in the barrier.
He could see the splash that he made
In his rapid progress through the
| quiet seas.
"Mr. Hopkins" he said, after mo-
ment's thought, tell Mr.. Cady-the
mldshipman OF the watch-to take the
boat and follow after. II the man gets
safely to the shore, they are not to dis
turb him but to come back and report
to me. If, on the contrary, he needs
help, they are to take him aboard and
bring him back to the Ship"
So much time was lost in these vari.
GUS maneuvers, however, that when
the order was carried out the boat
had scarcely reached the entrance to
the barrier when they saw the islander
stepping through the shallow waters
to the beach. There was, therefore.
nothing for Mr.. Cady to do but come
back and report the matter to the cap.
tain. When he reached the deck Of
the cruiser he found the executive Of
hcer with the chaplain and the sur
geon who had been summoned from
their berths in consultation with the
captain. By Mr.. Whittaker's advice
he and the chaplain were Immediately
sent ashore to see what had happened
and what was to be done.
There was considerable anxiety IN
the minds of the quartet who had
been dealing with the affair heretofore
as to what conditions might be. They
did not know the man. They did not
know what he might be doing, or to
what danger the woman, whom they
all pitied most profoundly, might be
exposed. OF all with whom he had
come In contact, the lieutenant com.
mander and the chaplain were those
who would have the most influence
over the man of the island, hence they
were dispatched to the island.
Another boat crew was therefore
called away and the two gentlemen
were rowed ashore. It was not yet
sunrise but still sufficiently light to
enable them to proceed. They were
at loss at first what to do, for they
had not yet had opportunity for ex-
ploring the island. They had learned
that the cave in which the woman
dwelt was upon the other side and
that hills rose between the landing
place and her abode. They knew, Of
course. that they could get to 1t by
following the shores of the island, but
they had a reasonably accurate idea
OF its size and they knew that that
would take great deal of time. Time
was precious. They were becoming
more and more fearful with every mo-
ment.
They decided, therefore, to chance
direct march over the hill and across
the island. By great good fortune they
stumbled into the path which was
now sufficiently defined in the grow.
ing light to enable them to follow it.
They climbed the hill as rapidly as
was consistent with the strength of
the chaplain, who was rather old
man, and then having reached the top
went down the other side almost at q
run.
AS they broke out from under the
palm trees, they saw dark object in
the gray dawn lying upon the sands
at the waters edge. 1t was human
being undoubtedly. As they ran to-
ward 1t with quickening heart beats
they recognized 1t as the man. He
was lying motionless as II he had been
struck dead. In brief space they
reached him. The lieutenant-com-
mander knelt down by his side and
turned him over upon his back. He
was as senseless as II he had been
smitten with thunder bolt.
SIS he alive?" asked the chaplain,
bending over him. ,5
Mr.. Whittaker's hand searched his
heart
1T beats feebly," he said. eHe
seems to have tainted, collapsed in
some strange way. 1 wish we had
brought the surgeon. wonder what
can be the cause Of it,"
"Look!" said the chaplain.
He pointed to a little heap of some.
thing dark on the sands q foot or two
away.
What is IT." asked the officer.
The chaplain stepped over to it.
1T is the clothes of the woman he
said in an awe-struck voice, "and that
Bible we were to take away with us
with the other things but which she
said she would give us in the morn
ing"
Great heaven" exclaimed Mr..
Whitaker. you don't think-"
At the same instant the same
thought had come to both men.
1T looks like it." said the chaplain
with bated breath. Poor woman,
may God help herr"
That is what is the matter with
him." returned the lieutenant-com-
mander. "He has sought her in her
cave and has not found her. He has
discovered these things and he knows
that she is gone. The shock has al
most killed him.
what is to be done now?"
Here the man Of action interposed.
"Do you watch by him, chaplain"
said the lieutenant-commander, rising.
II will go back to the landing upon
the other side and send for the doc
tor. Then we will bring a party
ashore and search every foot Of the
island. It is bad business. To think
Of that woman offering herself to this
man In vain. The fool!"
Don't" said the chaplain. HE is
not much more than a child in spite
of all that he has learned. We must
make allowances for him. He did love
her, evidently. Look to what her loss
has brought him. Perhaps stricken by
the hand Of God his soul has gone out
to meet hers"
well, we must fight for his life
anyway. Do you stay here. l will
be back in short time"
The lieutenant-commander rose to
his feet and started back across the
island without another word.
i MI