The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-09
Copyright. 1910. By Louis Joseph Vanee1
CHAPTER XVI.

1dhluS CCuIS6 EdsL
ward, which practically completed the
circuit Of the island, Coast tramped
back to a lonely breakfast In the
farmhouse.
During the remainder Of the morn
ing he saw nothing more Of Katherine.
Without giving the matter really def
mite thought he had assumed that
Blackstock would send for him when
he was wanted Nothing Of the sort
happened, although ne could not
doubt that Blackstock was up and
about; about mid morning both cool
les went to the bungalow to set it TO
rights, and Internationally throughout
the slow dull hours he heard the drum
of the wireless spark, its whip-lash
cracking from a distance resembling
a smart fusillade of pistol shots.
The sound filed him with apprehen-
sions. 1t was quite possible that Black
stock would think to settle any doubts
he might entertain about the identity
Of his new aide by questioning Voor
his via wireless. In such event the
tissue Of falsehood upon which he had
land would almost certainly be e1-
posed. And then >?
But however disturbing 1t might be
to contemplate, the possibility of such
a contretemps was not a stranger to
Coasts calculations: he was prepared
to face 1t. Should the wind veer IN
that quarter, he would simply have
to fight. Only He would
have given much to know positively.
Some time after noon one of the
coolies found him strolling aimlessly
along the beach and called him to
luncheon.
Late in the afternoon he found him
self dawdling In the neighborhood
of the bungalow, drawn thither ire
sistibly. the dictates of prudence and
discretion to the contrary of no avail
to hold him back. The suspense had
become rather more than flesh could
endure He felt that he would pres
emily do something desperate If he did
not learn how 1t was with her, how
her day was going A thousand fears
for her were driving him to distrac-
ton.
Coast approached the bungalow from
the north-the direction opposite the
end In which the wireless station was
installed AS he rounded the corner,
with purpose to go directly to Black
stock, he passed out of observation
from the farmhouse and simultane-
ousIy caught sight Of Katherine
through one of the living-room win
dows
Moving silently to the main en-
trance, he waited there where she
could not but see him when she turned
back into the room.
From beyond her came the rumble
| OF her husbands voice He was speak
ing quickly and with force, but Coast
could not hear what he said
The woman waited, moveless, until
| quietly, in an ordinary tone: is that
alp" To which apparently he assent
| ed. She added: Very well. I'll be
| ready"
| She shut the door and saw Coast.
In an instant her face was blood
| less; only her gaze leapt to his eyes
| like a leveled flame. Her hands
moved suddenly toward her bosom,
hesitated halfway, and fell slowly,
fluttering. She sighed profoundly. .
. Then abruptly. as she recognized
that he was frightened for her and in
another moment would hurry to her
| side needless of consequence, she re-
| sumed command of herself with an
astonishing effort of will: the small
| hands frightened at her sides, she lift
ed her head, closed her lips tight,
and stood momentarily at attention,
listening to some noise beyond the
| door.
| The silent moment ended in the
| crashing of the wireless. At the re.