The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-21

And now for the quick" said Ap
pleyard; and Quick's the word"
But as they approached Blackstock
the man, drawing upon some unsus-
pected reserve Of nervous force. de-
Hberately If with torturing effort,
pulled himself together, lifted a leg
over the wheel and slipped off the box
to the seat to leeward. a grim ghost
Of smile showed upon his face, and
for a fugitive instant there shone
from his eyes a CLEAN Of their one
time knocking luster, a little proud
and disdainful, altogether unrepent-
ant Then with a long sigh, his chin
dropped down on his breast again.
Thanks" said Appleyard, callously:
you've saved Us a deal Of trouble
and exertion, I'm sure. Coast, take
the wheel, will you, while l get Mr..
Blackstock a drink and see what can
be done TO save his worthless hide
for more evil end
Obediently Coast placed himself on
the box Any idea where We are?"
he asked.
Blackstock reused at the query and
raised his head, staring round the hori
zon. "Vineyard sound" he croaked
hoarsely, with a nod to leeward;
where, against the pale blue splendor
of the sky the twin red masthead bea-
cons of the light vessel watched them,
several miles abeam.
Coast consulted Appleyard's face.
New Bedford?" he asked, tersely.
The little man nodded. Best for all
concerned" he added; respectfully If
this festive hydrophobiac is to get
proper attendance"
With a snort of disgust he moved
to Coasts side, and trimmed the sheet,
as the latter swung the Echo off upon
her course: then turned and went for
ward to the companion door, descend.
ing to the cabin.
Thereafter for a little Coast heard
indistinctly the murmur of Apple
yards voice, civil and pleasant but
firm, contending with Katherine's
He understood that she was arguing
against her own wishes and natural
instincts. insisting she must go to her
husbands aid, while the little man
was insistently refusing to permit any.
thing Of the sort And confirmation
of this deduction was furnished when
the detectives small, blonde-thatched
head appeared against the light
Don't worry, madam" he was say
ing In conclusion. Leave him to me
I'm an old hand at first aid to the in
jured, and | can do for him infinitely
more than you'd dare attempt. II
there's the slightest need of you, III
be the first to let you know"
He wagged his head obstinately and
came on deck, grumbling privately
some refreshingly personal opinion as
to the general and perverse intracta
bility Of the feminine sex.
Balancing himself before Black
stock, who in the interim had sunk
into semblance of 1ethargy, he meas
ured out good half glass Of brandy
to an equal amount Of water, tucked
the bottle, securely corked, beneath
his arm, and reused the wounded mar
with touch as gentle and considerate
as his attitude and words were rough
Here" he said; get this down, anC
we'll make an examination, Black
stock"
Appleyard holding the glass to his
lips, Blackstock drank greedily
Thanks" he muttered huskily as the
little man took away the glass drained
to the final drop.
Don't thank me-'tisn't my brandy
If it was, 1 doubt I'd give you any
He moved off and placed the bottle
and the glass in corner, where they
were In no danger Of overturning, now
that a trained and steady hand was a
the helm and the Echo moving smooth
ly and easily to a leading wind. Now
hart mo-" he continued. I'm going
to get this motor going"-and witt
this he dropped into the open engine
pit-"and then I'll have look at your
wounds" He bent over and began t
rock the fywheel.
Slowly the warming spirit worked {
change in Blackstock, lending him :
fictitious and evanescent sense O.
strength. He Strengthened up agains
the back of the seat, a faint touch O
color dyeing his cheeks, and with
peculiar half-smile watched the little
man at work.
Whats the use?' he asked abrupt
ly in voice more clear than here
tofore.
whats the use Of what?" asket
Appleyard sharply, looking up.
"Of troubling with me-trying t.
save my life?"
"Oh :" With a sudden cough
the motor began to hum; Appleyar'
sat down on the edge of the hatcl
coaming. folded his hands before hin
and continued to eye the woundes
| man. = don't know" he said with al
| air of open confession. Il don't know
I'm sure. Business, SO far as I'm con
| cerned: commonplace humanity Will
| Coast, | presume; all that sort Of non
sense. Why? Don't you want to b
helped-saved?
! Soberly Blackstock shook his heav
! head. NO" he said evenly. What
| the use? I'm at the end of my tetheI
| as far as getting any OF the SAVIOR OIL
| of life's concerned Can't Sc
| the profit Of clinging to what's goint
| TO be only burden to me from nov
/ on. Prefer 10 be let alone
| He swung his head as though
| were lead. to bring his gaze TO rest Of
| Coast; for a full minute he eyed hin
! steadily u0udlrir civ rhau with a Iii