The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-17

lHSlantdneOuSis initiated her dCttOu
Wheeling, weapon poised, he discov-
cred the Swallowed shape Of a man
running toward them-or, rather,
staggering, for he seemed badly
Misunderstanding and Keeling through
the undulations of the low. formless
dunes, whose soft and yielding sub
stance had deadened the sound Of
his approach until he was almost upon
the two.
At Katherines call he flung up one
hand as If to signify a peaceful intent
but came on at undated speed.
Don't shoot" he pleaded hoarsely.
I'm unarmed-'
Both knew that voice too we'll The
woman's figure Strengthened to rig
tdity. STOP she repeated, impera-
tive, infexib,e Stop, Douglas, or"
Coast threw out a hand and de-
fiected the muzzle Of her weapon.
Don't" he said aside; IF 1t comes to
that, let me attend to him. e..
Blackstock, he cried CURLY. Stand
where you are,"
At this the man pulled up at dis
lance of a few feet. within the radius
Of lantern light. Steady" he begged
between gasps. I've beaten
EN- out. Plenty of time -
What's your game now?" demand
ed Coast coldly, his attention distract
ed by the comforting sound Of dipping
oars and sQuealing rowlocks behind
him.
Camel" The mans eyes caught a
curious CLINT of light from the lantern
as they shifted swiftly, CHANGING side
long Camel" he iterated in broken
and hollow tones. I'm in no shape for
games now. For Gods sake don't be
hard on me. I've come to give my
self up-to surrender"
His announcement fell like thun.
derclap. Momentarily Coast discred-
tied his sense Of hearing. "Surren-
der?" he muttered, 1ncredulous.
Your" He cast a quick, cautious look
round. There was no one else within
the limits of his vision-not a figure
nor a moving shadow. His gaze re-
turned to the huge, quaking shape be-
fore them: Blackstock In panic.
his plump face turned a pasty, I'M
wholesome shade and largely blotched
with dull, burning red, eyes like knots
showing too much white and rolling
restlessly, loose mouth a-quiver, hands
shaking, breath coming and going
with sound resembling the exhaust
Of a skipping motor. THE DEVIL"
said Coast to himself; and aloud in
accents hard and unrelenting: You'd
best explain 2"
With a sudden movement, the WON
an touched his arm.
Don't trust him, GARRETT" she ex-
claimed. "You don't know him
don't, don't trust him!"
I've no Intention" Coast began.
Incontinently they were treated to
the incongruous spectacle of Black
stock on his knees, humbling himself
first to the woman, then to the man
he had wronged, fat, mottled, tremu-
lous hands imploring them. MOI
| he prayed. coarsely pitiful. Don t
say 1t! Have little pity! My God.
| don't you know I'm dying? Don't
leave me here to die like a dog, in the
name Of mercy!"
Dying - Coast repeated
while Katherine bent forward, peering
steadily into the mans face. What
d'you mean by 'dying?'"
Don't you understand-can't you
see?" The plump, spotted hands fun
| bled at his throat; for the first time
Coast remarked that 1t was bandaged
! and began to comprehend what fright
! full fear was bringing the man to his
feet. That damn dog" Blackstock
breathed convulsively-"he done for
me, if l don't get help-medical help
! quick. He's torn my throat to tat
ters," he whispered; I'm poisoned
poisoned! II you leave me here, III
go mad and die neutrality-suspicious.
Good God, have pity"
He broke down completely for mo
| ment or two. whining and numbering
and wringing his hands It was plain
| that he was badly frightened, and not
| without reason.
| Coast glanced at Katherine; she
wore a face of doubt mirroring his
own perplexity, but when she caught
! his eye upon her, responded with g
! nod and a shrug.
II think we'll have to :" he
said, tentative.
"Of course" she answered nstlessly
Look here, Blackstock!" At Coast
sharp and frigid address, the mar
quoted abruptly, and apparently com
| inc tn raoHzotior If tha Snsctcc ole
he was making Of himself, got slowly
and shame-facedly to his feet. 'If We
agree to take you of the island, you
know what it means? I'll turn you
over to the police, first place we stop
II don't care" Blackstock asserted
eagerly. Il don't care a damn. II
| go anywhere, do anything-go to the
chair, If l have to-work out my life
In the pen-anything but stay here
and go mad. I've been a cur, l know
but for the love of God don't leave NE
to die like one"
"Hel-lo!" Behind the trio the keeI
OF a rowboat grated On the sand, and
Appleyard jumped briskly ashore
trotting up, painter in hand. Whats
this?" he demanded briskly. Hello
Coast! Madam, your servant.
Now, what's the row."
He put himself In the center Of the
group. bright watcHtul eyes diagnos
ing one expression after another OF
the countenances round him; with
something in his pose and manner
singUlarly suggestive Of an exception