Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-05-16
CHAPTER Iv.-(contlnued.)

CHAPTER IV.-(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 Its a1mless divagations, had
found contentment of a sort--more a
parody than the real thing; dream
less rest won through wholesome
bodily fatigue. 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. unrecognized, Warburton
alone cognizant of his movements,
and that under strict injunction of ST.
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 a1 opiate will in frame
too long habituated to its action; now
and again the thought OF Katherine
and Blackstock would crawl in his
mind, viperous, poisoning the very
sunlight
Here, without presage, he found his
whim aiming for salt water. Was he
wise to humor it? Would he find
healing In the swing of the seas, the
savor Of spray, the hiss of waters
broken by plunging bows. the gurgle
astern?
Huxtable led him directly to a lit
tie vessel In cradle on the ways and
bright with new paint. The Echo"
he introduced her: 1--we year old,
weather-wise. sound and sweet, fast
and able. Owner left her with me for
sale. Seven hundred and a bargain.
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 Huxtables catalogue of at
fractions. Presently he climbed
down again, impressed that the boat
would probably justify it's recommen-
dation to the letter.
VIXEN 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 pencil and scrap
OF paper and scribbled list of sup
plies, You've spare moor
Ing off here?" he inquired, and re-
N Afii
off; 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 acouisi-
tions 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 sparkled his imaglna-
ton. kindled by sense of adventure
distilled from tomorrow's promise.
At i've 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 motionless and
suave; In pyJamas and slippers. lol-
ling upon the dry side Of an over.
turned seat cushion. he felt no need
q heavier clothing.
Presently breath Of air stirred
feebly: catspaws darkened the silver:
signing. the air died: the nawed sur.
taco 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 It blew fun
and free.
Coast shrugged to the chill ana
Sose 70 % below. but paused. attracted
~ stir q lie aboard . small. two
masted schooner that had been Hiding
tlly q anchor between two and three
Aun1rod 1sst 9vay toward the ship.
aAnlnnl
b.
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