The Tupelo journal., 1912-11-29

lifted to Coasts face, with a dim, pale
glimmer Of recognition. But 1t was
evident at q glance that only his ire
mendous vitality and force of will sus-
tanned the man: the blood soaked bo-
som of his flannel shirt told too plain
ly the tale Of q terrible drain upon his
strength.
y "Appleyard-"
mo; this ones hrst-he's done for
completely" interrupted the little man
with prompt decision; we've got to
get him put Of the way before we can
move. T'other can wait"
But he'll die"
I'm satisfied. Here, lend me q
lift at this, won't your"
Together with considerable dim.
Guilty, they managed to raise the
body OF Chang tt q side seat and then
over the rail. A sullen splash and a
shower of spray, molten silver In the
moonlight, were all his funeral rite.
"And now for the quick" said APP
pleyard; land Quick's the word"
But as they approached Blackstock
the man, drawing upon some unsus-
pected of nervous force, de-
liberately If with torturing effort.
pulled himself together. lifted a leg
over the wheel and slipped of the box
to the seat to leeward. A grim ghost
of a smile showed upon his face, and
for a fugitive instant there shone
from his eyes a CLEAN of their one
time hooking %luster. a little proud
and disdainful, altogether %unrepent-
ant. Then with a long sigh, his chin
dropped down on his breast again.
Thanks" said Appleyard, callously;
you've saved US a deal OF trouble
and exertion, I'm sure. Coast. take
the wheel. will you, while l get Mr..
Blackstock a drink and see what can
be done to ave his worthless hide
for a more evil end"
Obediently Coast placed himself on
the box. ANY idea where we ars?"
he asked.
Blackstock reused at the query and
raised his head. staring round the hort
zon. Vineyard sound" he crooked
hoarsely, with 4 nod to lseward;
where, against the pale blue splendor
Of the sky the twin red masthead bea-
cons Of the light vessel watched them.
several miles abeam.
Coast consulted A%ppleyard's face.
New Bedford?" he asked. tersely.
The little man nodded. Best for all
concerned" he added: especially If
this festive hydrophobiac is to get
proper attendance"
With a snort of disgust he moved
to Coasts side. and trimmed the sheet,
as the latter swung the Echo off upon
her course; then turned and went for
ward to the companion door, descend
ing to the cabin.
Thereafter for a little Coast heard
indistinctly the murmur Of Apple
yards voice, civil and pleasant but
firm, %contending with Katherine's.
He understood that she was arguing
against her own wishes and natural
instincts. insisting she must go to her
husbands aid, while the little man
was insistently refusing to permit any
thing OF the sort. And confirmation
of this deduction was furnished when
the detectives small, blonde-thatched
head appeared against the light.
Don't worry, madam" he was say
ing in c~onclucion. Leave him to me;
I'm an old hand at first aid to the In
1ured, and I can do for him infinitely
more than you'd dare attempt. 1t
there's the slightest need OF you, I'll
be the first to let you know"
He wagged his head o~bstinately and
came on deck, grumbling privately
some refreshingly personal opinion as
to the general and perverse intracta-
bility of the feminine sex.
Balancing himself before Black
stock, who In the Interim had sunk
into a semblance of lethargy, he meas
ured out a good half glass OF brandy
to an equal amount OF water, tucked
the bottle, securely corked. beneath
his arm, and reused the wounded man
with a touch as gentle and c%onsiderate
as his attitude and words were rough.
Here he said; get this down, n
we'll make an examination, Black
stock"
Appleyard holding the glass to his
lips, Blackstock drank greed1ly.
Thanks he muttered huskily as the
little man took away the glass drained
to the final drop.
Don't thank me-tisn't my brandy.
If it was, l doubt I'd give you any"
He moved off and placed the bottle
and the glass in a corner, where they
were in no danger of overturning, now
that a trained and, steady hand was at
the helm and the Echo moving smooth
ly and easily to a leading wind. Now.
harf a mo-" he continued. I'm going
to get this motor going-and with
this he dropped into the open engine
pit-"and then I'll have a look at your
wounds" He bent over and began to
rock the fywheel.
Slowly the warming spirit worked .
change in Blackstock. lending him a
fictitious and e%vanescent sense OF
strength. He Strengthened up against
the back OF the seat. a faint touch OF
color dyeing his cheeks, and with =