The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-12-07
CHAPTER Iv.-(continued.)

not wholly satisfied that there was
any wisdom latent in this latest freak
OF his errant fancies. For fortnight
he had given impulse its head, and so,
docile to It's aimless dlvagations, had
found contentment OF a sort--moro a
parody than the real thing; dream
less rest won through wholesome
bodily fatigue. waking distraction
bred Of constant change of scene; thin
ice over the troubled deeps Of heart
embittered Eastward from New
York he had wandered, mostly afoot,
unknown. unrecognlzed, Warburton
alone cognizant OF his movements,
and that under strict injunction Of ST.
lence, thus he had come bindly, seek
ing surcease of his distemper. finding
only the oblivion of fatigue. And re.
Gently he had become uneasily con-
sclous that even that was losing its
effect as an opiate Will in frame
too long habituated to its action; now
and again the thought of Katherine
and Blackstock would crawl In his
mind viperous. poisoning the very
sunlight
Here, without presage. he found his
whim aiming for salt water Was he
wise to humor It? Would he find
healing in the swing of the seas, the
SAVIOR Of spray, the hiss of waters
broken by plunging bows. the gurgle
astern?
Huxtable led him directly to a NJ.
tie vessel In a cradle on the ways and
bright with new paint The Echo"
he introduced her: five year old,
weather.wise. sound and sweet, fast
and able. Owner left her with me Tor
sale. Seven hundred and bargain
Coast strolled round the boat with
an eye critical of her lines. then
clambered up the skeleton ribs of the
cradle and dropping into her cockpit,
verifying Huxtable's catalogue of at
fractions. Presently he climbed
down again, impressed that the boat
would probably justify its recommen-
dation to the letter.
When can you put her in the wa.
ter?"
In fifteen minutes"
DO 20, then. please, and have the
gasoline tanks filled and the batteries
wired up. I'll want these be.
sides" He found a pencil and scrap
OF paper and scribbled list of sup
plies, you've spare moor.
Ing of here?" he inquired and re
ceived an affirmative. Then put her
on; I'll sleep aboard her tonight
Now I'll take a turn up town and buy
provisions and things"
He fitted out without thought of
economy: In the list of his acquisl
tons he could find no lack: by night.
fall the Echo was furnished with
everything that Coast could think OF
as essential or desirable Tor coast.
wise cruise, whether brief or pro-
tracted.
mere was no plausible excuse for
MS falling to sleep; the Echo rode
"''hout much perceptible motion.
moored about hundred yards off
shore; waters whispered somnolently
alohgslde the town was quiet. Yet
sIumber was denied him. an unwont.
ed excitement sparkled his imagina.
uon' kindled by sense of adventure
distilled from tomorrow's promise.
AT five bells he rose and went on
deck to smoke, his trouble heavy upon
MN The cockpit was not more
urenched with moonlight than with
dew' but the air was motionless and
suaVe' In pyjamas and slippers lol-
ing upon the dry side of an over.
turned seat cushion, he felt no need
ol heavier clothing.
PRESENTLY a breath of air stirred
'eeoly; catspaws darkened the silver:
s'eu'hg the air died; the nawed sur.
,ace oil the harbor smoothed and
frightened. Then again the breeze
tanned up out Of the northwest vacil.
lant' advancing, languishlng, waxing
srauually In volume until It blew full
and free.
coast shrugged TO the chill and
rose TO go below, but paused. attracted
oy stir of life aboard small two
n,aS'eu schooner that had been riding
"'iy at anchor between two and three
nuhdred feet away toward the shin
channel 'p
ne saw a movement of bustling
nlen upon her deck. Her sailing lights
o ppeareu' green starboard eye
s'orea at him fixedly. The mainsail
T' waS hoisted, the foresai went up.
"e" railing off broadside to the eb.
e current, the vessel shaped her
ouiSe handily for the harbor.mouth.
oooms crashing to port as the red eve
%uns TO bear on Coast. AS she drew
lain he could see her deck quite
~ ghstening in the white glare
uu' 'nrew the scurryirg figures of the
e" INTO clear black relief They
vent about their tasks adeptlv sure.
,ou oo.eu and alert, with curious de-
nent OF attitude, having no re.
Whatever. apparently, for that
"u'cn held Coast spell.bound
tne waist two men were strug.
snug locked In one another's arms
tho, s'aegerlng, now this way, now
so aa', neither uttering a sound. They
a,o ueh' strongly each with a passion.
silence. '"eN :"
AZ saw one suddenly give way, as
"oush MS foot had slipped He went
0U Omn upon knee, the weight OF mis-
a.aeonist heavy upon him, and re.
Ood oosered only with tremendous and
'uislVe effort. but now with his