Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-03-14
CHAPTER iV.-(continued. }

CHAPTER W.-(continued
With a twist of his eyebrows spell
ing doubt, Coast followed. He was
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 divagations, had
found contentment of a sort-more
parody than the real thing; dream
less rest won through wholesome
bodily fatigue. a 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, unrecognizcd, WerbuTton
alone cognizant OF his movements,
lence; thus he had come blindly, seek
ing surcease of his distemper, finding
only the oblivion of fatigue. And re-
Gently he had become uneasily con-
scious that even that was losing Its
effect, as an opiate will III q frame
and again the thought OF Katherine
and Blackstock w,uld crawl in his
mind. vigorous, J dsoning the very
sunlight.
Here. without presage, he found his
within 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 pirnging bows. the gurgle
astern,
Huxtable led him directly to lit
tie vessel In q cradle on the ways and
bright with new paint. The Echo"
he introduced her: FIVE year old.
weafher-wise, sound and sweet. fast
and able. Owner left her with me for
sale. Seven hundred and a bargain. I"
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
teri"
In fifteen minutes"
DO SO, 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 scrubbed list OF sup
plies, l.. =. You've spare moor
ing or here!" he inquired, and re-
ceived an Affirmative Then put her
OF; I'll sleep aboard her tonight
Now I'll take turn up town and buy
provisions and things"
He fitted out without thought OF
economy: In the list of his acduisi-
tons he could find no lack; by night
fall the Echo was furnished with
everything that Coast could think OF
as essential or desirable for coast
wise cruise, whether brief or pro-
tracted.
There was no plausible excuse for
his failing TO sleep; the Echo rode
without much perceptible motion,
moored about hundred yards OF
shore; waters whispered somnolently
alongside; the town was quiet. Yet
slumber was denied him; an unwont-
ed excitement sparkied his imagina-
ton, hndled by a sense of adventure
distilled from tomorrow's promise.
At FIVE bells he rose and went on
deck TO smoke, his trouble heavy upon
him. The cockpit was not more
drenched with moonlight than with
dew. but the air was mouonless and
suave; in pyiamas and slippers. loi.
ling upon the dry side Of an over.
turned seat cushion. he felt no need
Of heavier clothing.
Presently a breath OF air stirred
feebly; catspaws darkened the silver:
signing. the air died; the fiawed sur.
face OF the harbor smoothed and
frightened. Then again the breeze
famed UP out Of the northwest. vacil.
liant; advancing, languishing, waxing
gradually In volume until Il blew full
and free.
Coast shrugged to the chill and
rose to 60 below. but paused, attracted
by stir Of life aboard a small. two
mastsd schooner that had been riding
idly at anchor between two and three
hundred feet away toward the ship
channel