The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-12-07


Rutton Turned to the Fire, His Head
Dropping Despondentiy.
ton chose to set between himself and
the world
Presently he grew conscious that
Rutton was standing as If listening,
his eyes averted to the windows.
What is it," he inquired at length,
unable longer to endure the tensity
Of the pause.
Nothing. ! beg your pardon, Da.
vid." Rutton returned to his chair,
making visible effort to shake OF
his preoccupation. Its an ugly night.
out there. Lucky you blundered on
this place. Tell me how it happened.
What became of the other man-your
friends"
The thought Of Quain stabbed Am.
pers consciousness with mental
pang as keen as acute physical an
guish. He jumped up in torment.
"God!" he cried chokingly. "Td for.
gotten! He's out there on the bay.
poor vil!-freezing to death if not
drowned. Our boat went adrift some
how; Quain would insist on going aft
er her in leaky old skiff we found on
the snore and didn't come
back. l waited till it was hopeless.
then concluded I'd make a try to cross
to Shampton by way of the tidal bar.
And must!"
IT'S impossible" Rutton told him
with grave sympathy.
But I must: think of his wife and
children. Rutton! There's a chance
yet-a bare chance; he may have
reached the boat. II he did. every
minute I waste here is killing him by
inches; he'll die of exposure! But
from Shampton we could send q
boat"
THE tide fulls about midnight to-
night" interrupted Rutton. consulting
his watch. ITS after nine-and
there's heavy surf breaking over the
bar now. BY ten it'll be impossible,
and you couldn't reach it before II. Be
content, David; you're powerless."
You're right know that" groan.
ed Amber. his head in his hands. II
was afraid it was hopeless. but
but"
Il know. dear boy, 1 know!"
With a gesture of despair Amber
resumed his seat. For some time he
remained deep sunk in detection. At
length, mastering his emotion. he
looked up. "How did you know about
Quain-that we were together?" he
asked.
boycott saw you land this morn
Ing. and I've been watching you all
day with my field-glasses, prepared
to take cover the minute you turned
my way. Don't be angry with me
David; it wasn't that l didn't yearn t.
see you face to face again, but that
+. didn't dare"
"Oh, that!" exclaimed Amber with
an exasperated ding of his hand. BE
tween the two Of you-you and Quain
you'll drive me mad with worry
I'm sorry. David. l only wish
might say more. 1t hurts a bit to have
you doubt me-
Il don't doubt" Amber declared in
desperation; at least, mean won't
II you'll be sensible and let me stand
by and see you through this trouble
whatever it is."
Rutton turned to the fire, his head
dropping despondently. THAT may
not be-" he said heavily. 1.-THE great.
est service you can do me is to for
get my existence, now and henceforth,
erase our friendship from the tablets
of your memory. pass me as a stran-
ger should our ways ever cross
again." He ficked the stub of a Gig
arctic into the flames. "Kismet! :.
{. l mean that. David, from my heart.
Won't you do this for me-one last
favor, old friend?"
Amber nodded.
Then :" Rutton attempted to
divert the subject. Il think you said
Quaint Any relation To Quaip's
'Aryan Invasion of Indiar"
(TO BE CONTINUED)