The Irish standard., 1911-09-02
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had changed. It was grave now. in.
tensely thoughtful, but the color had
come back into it. It was alive again
When I asked you a while ago If
there were any chance, you asked me
II meant chance for the return Of
the Aurora, and said there was none.
That was what I meant then, but it's
not what mean now. Is there any
chance at all? haven't been able to
see any myself, and I've been over 1t
all pretty carefully. Do you see any?
You-you must tell me the truth,
please"
Il haven't been trying to assess the
chances. I spent my hour thinking
about something else, and can't an
swer your question really with a yes
or no."
mot with yes, but can't you an.
swer 1t with q no? Aren't you per
fectly sure, in your heart, that there's
no chance at all?"
mot yet" he answered. There may
be a chance. and If there Is, we
can meet 1t half way" Then he
stretched out his hand. "That red.
bound book there is our Bible now.
Do you remember what your father
said7 We can live like Christians, and
we can always hope He thought,
when he put that bottle, which con.
tanned his message, into the sea, that
there was hardly one chance in a mil.
lion Of its resulting in an effectual re-
lief. Yet he went on living as brave
man lives, a day at time. And when
he died, he died without fear. Doing
that, he not only helped himself, but
he helps us in way that he couldn't
possibly have foreseen."
Her eyes filled suddenly with tears,
and a smile. Of a divine sad tender.
ness, touched for an instant her
mouth. "But that isn't our case, you
know. Ours isn't as simple as that"
What makes the difference?" But
he knew the answer.
"Your wings" She said it hardly
above whisper, and as she said It
she turned a little paler and her brave
lips trembled. But In an instant her
will had taken command again. II
am sure you see. It's quite plain,
she went on steadily. IF you will
spread them, those great wings Of
yours, and take to the air with them,
and fly away, as you are free to DO,
and leave me here alone, as I really
am alone, the only person marooned
here-if you'll do that, then I'll fol.
low my fathers gospel.-But you won't
go away. You can't-not a man like
you, and know that. 1 know
mustn't even suggest It,"
Her voice sank again and grew un.
steady. while am starving, you
will be starving, too. And while I am
freezing. you will freeze" She
stopped there with a shudder and a
deep, gasping sob; then, Wont you
go?" she cried out. "You said once
that one of US might be dreaming, but
that one was not I. Can't you believe
it's so? Can't you wake up from the
dream that is turning into a night.
mare, and hy away?.-No, you can'tl
You can't!--There is only ono way out
of it,"
There was the conclusion he had
foreseen, had foreseen long before he
>ou1u AOA AC"LA0 AAOVAS2p40 Oou'
clusion that had led him to pray for
an hour. And now he thanked God
that the answer was ready.
But before he could speak she
turned to him with a sudden transi.
ton of mood, which left him gasping.
The face she turned upon him now
was radiant, flushed with life, fear.
less. She held out both hands to him.
Come" she said; that's over. You're
to forget 1t ever happened, and you're
to do something for me that I want
Will you? I want this for holiday.
Just as I set out to make It when
saw tho yacht was gone. The days
as bright as It was then, and we
can make the hours pure gold. 1t all
depends on US. Come, will you do that
for me?"
Giving him her hands, she. had
meant him to assist her to rise, but he
disregarded the intention and knelt
on ono knee beside her. Jeanne
he said.
Her color huttered like a flag al
that, and she caught her breath.
'Thank you-Philip"
well have our holiday, Jeanne, but
we must have a. better understanding
first"
mo! No morei-I can't!"
But he went steadily on: you said
there was only one way out, and
knew what you meant. It is a way
out-a way that can't deny your
right to take, If we're talking Of
rights During the five years that
spent at sandoval always regarded
it as right that I could exercise
when chose. Perhaps that is one Of
the reasons I never exercised it. But,
Jeanne, If you elect to take that way,
shall take it with you"
She struggled away from him, turned
and faced him with horror-stricken
eyes. you must not say that! You've
no right to threaten me with that!
No right" Then, clutching at hid