Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-29
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR SEPTEMBER 49,
THE LUCK OF ROCKING LIGHT

crew suggested. Hell see it in Our faces If
we 90 in there now"
They heard the keepers talking together
on the lighthouse abutment. MacMurdo's
voice reached them again.
Hi, lem! Toms just down. He's not
sure, it's so thick outside. There's glim,
like a corposant, he says, out on the shall
lows"
A deep sigh, almost shudder, rose from
the boat. Casco started up the motor.
"Now it's plain" he said quietly. "All
right, MacNIurdo," he shouted to the keeper.
keep the light on Bit
aye, aye!" the answer came cheertully.
well have coffee ready comm back. She's
comm on to blow soon"
In the same dead silence in which they
came out, Casco swung the motorboat out OF
the lighthouse.
"That little devil had llnife!' someone
said
"Silence in the boat!' Casco ordered
sternly.
The big white surfboat, spray covered
and with chugging motor, breasted the
ocean, forging her way through.
Suddenly Casco exclaimed, "She's on the
lighter, Boys! She's tending flare on the
bows!"
NOREEN, haggard. hollow eyed, greeted
~ them from the deck of the lighter as
the lifeboat swept up to the lee rail. A cloth
was wrapped round her head, and her long
hair was loosened and disordered in the wind
and rain. But the girls strong face was as
firm as ever. There was look on it they
could not fathom.
SName O. Heaven, Noreen girl, what's
happened?" Casco cried. "Never mind now.
Give us your hand while 1 steady you
aboard"
you'll be doing no such thing, Cap'n
Jem!' Noreen retorted with spirit. You'll
do as say, if ever you We had kind thought
for me. No, no, she cried excitedly, don't
put foot aboard!'
HBut, Noreen, you're hurt-you're not
yourself"
Noreen checked a telltale little laugh. "If
it's my head YOU re referring to, Cap'n Jem
and it got in the way of the tiller. But other
wise It's all right, an III have you take
notice particular that my own two hands
lashed that same tiller an made the pan of
pitch on the bow, after the poor little lad ran
off with tn boat an drowned himself. And
now, please, please, be off to the Light as
fast as you can, an bring back Dad an Tom!
I've taken possession, and l mean to save
the lighter with their help
Casco watching her anxiously, made a
motion to Long Johnson, who rose from the
thwart.
1--WE can't leave you alone on this pound
ing beer barrel. Be good, Noreen girl; but
if you won't come aboard"
Noreen clasped her hands passionately.
ooh, Capn Jem, would you rob me an Dad
an Tom-just when I've found the way out
of all our trouble an worry? Sure you're
not worrying about me-the Luck of Rock
ing Light, because of bit of weather. she
wheedled. "Ask me no questions, an do
not come aboard on the high seas. An now
be off with you! l know what I'm doing,
really!s
Captain Casco turned to the listening
crew. "The sins on my soul if the squall
blows" he cried savagely. "Start the motor,
Welsh Spin her along as fast as she'll go,
or III pitch you into the sea with my own
two fsts!'
NOREEN had way of getting what she
l wanted; besides, Casco began to see
light. The motor swung before the wind
blast, and Noreen went forward to the light
er's bows and sat down beside the pan of
f1aring pitch. Her head ached cruelty, and
she held it in her hands while she communed
with herself.
"AIy head aches bitter bad; but no matter
- IL