The Tupelo journal., 1912-11-29
(Cepyrisht. 1880. By Leuis Joseph vaacs.)

and wringing his hands. It was plain
that he was badly frightened, and not
without reason.
Coast glanced at Katherine; she
wore a face Of doubt mirroring his
own psrplexity, but when she caught
his eye upon her, responded with a
mod and a shrug.
Il think we'll have to :" he
said. tentative.
"Of course" she answered listlessly.
Look here, Blackstock!" At Coasts
sharp and frigid address, the man
quieted abruptly, and apparently COM
ing to a realization Of the spectacle
he was making of himself, got slowly
and sh~ame-facedly to his feet. IF we
agree to take you off the island, you
know what it means? I'll turn you
over to the police, first place We stop"
81 don't care" Blackstock asserted
eagerly. Il don't care a damn. I'll
go anywhere, do anything-go to the
chair, II | have to-work out my life
In the p~en-anything but stay here
and 60 mad. I've been a cur, l know.
but for the love of God don't leave me
to die like one"
"Hello!" Behind the trio the keel
OF a rowboat grated OF the sand. and
Appleyard jumped briskly ashore,
trotting up, painter In hand. What's
this!" he demanded briskly. Hello.
Coast! Madam, your servant. -. {.
Now, what's tho row."
He put himself IN the center of tho
group, bright wstchful eyes diagnos-
ing one expression after another on
the countenances round him: with
something in his pose and name
singularly suggestive of an exception
ally intelligent and inquisitive mag
pie.
Coast dropped a hand a~ffectionately
on his shoulder. Thank heaven
you're here at last" he said. And
here's your prisoner-take him in the
name of the law and for the sake OF
peace. He's been badly bitten first
by a dog and then by fright, and he
wants to give himself up and be sent
to a hospital"
"Oh, that's 1t, Ell? | heard a bit OF
the confab while rowing in. INT 1t
listened uncommon i~nterestin'; but
/ couldn't figure oIt what was at the
bottom of it all. Well, we'll, Mr..
Blackstock!" The little mar rubbed
his hands. I'm glad to come up with
yeu. This is more fun than a goat,
for sure. Come" He jerked his
perky little head toward the tender.
''Jump In, and I'll hurry you to mar
ket."
A sullen look replaced the terror
that had masked Blackstock's face.
He sighed and with a brief, uncertain
nod, apparently directed at Coast, col
iected himself and trudged heavily to-
ward the boat, entering which he
squatted silently in the stern.
A~ppleyard's eyes sought Coasts.
The Younger man lifted his shoulders,
Aisclaiming honor Or responsibility.
When the devil was sick" he quoted
In disgust, lowering his tone. Keep
an eye On him"
We'll, rawther," Appleyard drawled.
But he won't try any monkeyshines
aboard the Echo-or I never saw a
man afraid of his sins before. 8.
Madam" he added, turning with a Gu
rious little courtly bow to the woman,
eff you'll step in"-his glance travelled
past her down the blackwell beat
that pack to the mainland. l see,' he
said, they're launching a long-boat.
What kind of a yarn explains that,
please?"
Coast recounted with exceptional
brevity the wrecking of the schooner,
at the same time stepping into the
BOA and placing himself at the oars,
on the middle seat. Katherine sat
forward. behind him, and Appleyard,
pushing off, scrambled aft and
dropped down beside Blackstock, who
sulkily moved to one side to make
room for him.
Look lively, Mr.. Coast" he little
mar advised pleasantly. we really
haven't got a minute to spare-those
chaps are laying to their oars as II
they really wanted to scrape acauaint-
ance with us. Or perhaps" he sug-
xested with a look askance at Black
stock, my cheerful prisoner can &C
count for this apparent mad anxiety
OF theirs to bid their dis, | mean ex-
tinguished leader a fond farewell"
Blackstock, fumbiing nervousiy at
his handaged throat, made no answer.
Coast, bending all his strength to he
oars, drove the dory swiftly toward
the Echo.
"Blackstock," said Appleyard, ironic.
what you got in that neat little bag
Setween your feet? The conventional
pyjamas and toothbrush, what?"
The tormented man at his side grum-
hled something inarticulate.
did / understand you to imply it's
none of my business? How e%xtraordi-
narily rude, Mr.. Blackstock! Besides
being untrue-quite a naughty fb. In
addition to which it's uncalled for;
1 know"
"You know" Blackstock turned to
him with a scowl.
Sure. | can put two n a mill
stone together and make a hole In a
ladder just as easy as take q SIX