The Tupelo journal., 1912-10-18
Copyright. zsso. By Louis Joseph Vsnce.o
CHAPTER XVI.

Taking q roundabout course east
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 he could not
doubt that Blackstock was up and
about; about mid-morning both cool
les went to the bungalow to SGT 1t to
rights, and Internationally throughout
the slow dull hours he heard the drum
OF the wireless spark its whiplash
cracking from a distance resembling
y smart fusillade of pistol shots.
The sound filed him with a%pprehen-
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
bolstered up his position or the IS
land would almost certainly be e1-
posed. And then -?
But however disturbing 1t might be
to contemplate, the possibility of such
u contretemps was not a stranger to
Coasts calculations; he was prepared
to face It. 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 n 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
sistfbly, 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 tnat no mouiu pres
emily do something desperate if he did
not learn how it was with her, how
her day was going. A thousand fears
for her we're 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 waited, moveless, until
his voice dropped. Then she said
quietly, in an ordinary tone: rs that
all?" To which apparently he assent
ed. She added: Very we'll. 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 fame. Her hands
moved suddenly toward her bosom,
hesitated halfway, and fell slowly,
futtering. 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-
port, as if released from a spell, the
woman moved quickly over to the
door. Her hand closed imperatively
round Coasts forearm.
From colorless lips her voice came
low but clear.
Listen, Garrett-don't interrupt.
Something has happened; we are
to leave the island tonight!
Hush-don't speak; his hearing is
abnormally sharp; when he stops
sending. He has just told me
A boat will come for is. He didn't
say when-after dinner, sometime,
gathered. He has just told me to
pack up a few necessaries.
The noise OF the wireless ceased
and she stopped speaking in the same
breath. Immediately, In the hush
they heard the hiss of the switch
thrown put to divert the current from
the sending apparatus to the detec
tor.
Hes fishing for the answer, now
Coast ventured In a guarded tone.
Hush" she told him sharply, whis
pering. Wait!
She inclined her head, ~sedulously on
guard, and for a while seemed to hold
her breath. The hand upon his arm