Evening star., 1912-09-29

hope we'll be in time to stop her!" one sad-or both
thought Better that than risk her precious lite on
Rocking Light in the coming storm
60 it was that when Noreen MacNIurdo reached the
~ Steel Ship standing trembling and deserted on
the shoals, she at glance that she was alone 1t
occurred to her they might have IN to stop her, tor
now that she outside she sailor enough to recog
nize the signs of thick weather at sea.
"Haf the day they'll miss, and pull their poor arms
off besides" she said. Noreen was not one to stand
regreting all get the socks and things together and
straghten up, she concluded. Il believe theyd never
change sheet from here to Doomsday, had they their
will and way.
She finished the living room and then, oppressed by
curious feeling of uneasness, which she attributed to
the restless of the structure she went above
for breath of air on the lamp gallery.
Rocking Light simply little steel shack built on
st1ts rather four spraddling legs each anchored IN
its caissOn in the sand below and built only high
enough clear the topmost waves in storm Unboltlng
the door of the amproon, she went out on the little bal
cOny that encirCled 1t.
The weight of the wind struck hard upon her in flaws
and she grasped the seaward rail, gazing first at the
waters washing beneath then out upon the dull ocean
The of calling voice. seemingly walng IN
strange tongue to her with great force Still the
ocean, seaward, was empty
She passed her hand her eyes, striving to clear
her vision. Two miles away her eyes fell on bank OF
wavering vapor floating the outer shadows. Else
where all gray and gloomy, both and sky. For
a moment she gazed amlessly. Then she gripped the
iron rail in her strong hands and her figure grew tense
and yet again the voice called wild, bitter wall like
banshee keening over the sea.
@Ah, now l see it-unless my cyesights going with
my brain!'
Another moment and she whipped into the lamproom,
returning with the keepers brass bound telescope
Hardly had she leveled it upon the shadows when an
exclamation broke from her. but the words that fol-
lowed had no tinge of doubt in them.
"'Tis not large one, but big and d1srnasted NO.
there's spar standing but where's the flag of dis
tress? She's the shadows, and she's washed clean.
How did Dad miss her, wonder? The fog smoke?
Yes that was it. She hid in the smoke of low tide.
Noreen at professional work now, and the glass
she held steady.
whats that at the combng by the cuddy? There,
it moves 'Tis mani He's raising his arms up'
With Noreen and the sturdy daughters of these
bred lfe-savng folk, the grim face of suffering and
death is trumpet call to duty. She halfway
down the winding stairs in almost the next instant max
ing for the red rowboat.
Passing through the living room, she caught up bot
tie of milk and loaf of bread. Depostng these in the
stenshees of the boat she sprang aboard and started
OFT her errand of mercy Taking the lighthouse for
guide she did look round again. but conserved her
strength and nerve for the business before her
She was almost upon the stranded vessel before she
did turn. She gimpsed big lighter which, striking
the sands bow on had lurched upon its buging quar-