The Washington times., 1913-07-20

" accompanied by the lightest
of breezes, set in from the
southwest. 1t was an ominous sign 10
Lavelle, nor could he conceal TINS
thought when he carried Emilys even
ing meal to her. She asked him 10
bring his food and eat it in the tent en-
trance.
The castaways ate their pitiable ra-
tions in silence, but before this snort
time passed the island was grading In
concert with the heave of the sea.
A shocking, sense-stunning crash
where a part of the western cliff slith-
cred down into the deep sounded the
end of the meal. While the roar was
dying away the eyes of the man and
woman met and held in glance Of un-
derstanding.
This isis the end?" Emily asked in
a low voice.
Il think it is not very far OFF, little
woman" he answered. He told her this
spirit unafraid. b. 1t she knew that he
knew and understood many things
which words might not encompass.
II thank ycu-so much" was her an
swer. She spoke with a frank gladness.
But the slightest quaver was in her
voice.
LavelIe left her to build up the signal
fire. He felt certain that II was for the
last time. 1t was to him the funeral
pyre OF a hope which died by the min
sparing hand. Some night-borne craft
might by miracle see it's CLEAN, yet the
light of moon in all the splendor OF
fullness lessened this remotest of pos
sibilities to the barest minimum.
Although Lavelle was gone but
little while, II seemed as eternal time
to the woman waiting in the tent be-
fore he returned. And when he came
her eyes were dry and she held out
hand for him to help her to her
feet.
II have no pain" she said. answer
ing his protest. Il speak the truth. l
wish to be out in the night-with
you"
After the first step or two Emily
walked freely and. indeed, the pain Of
her burns had passed away. The
while Lavelle knelt to make a seat
for her she stood sweeping the heav-
ems with her luminous eyes. Across
the northern sky a large star, falling,
burst upon her vision.
"See!" she exclaimed. and then, turn
ing toward him, she repeated Cal
purnia's words to Caesar:
when beggars die there are not comets
seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth
the death of princess
1t was a night made for life and
love and the joys of living-not death;
a night to set the soul singing in glad
ness of being. II seemed to have gar
nered the uttermost spaces of their
brightest jewels to bedeck its violet
cope and make it the harder for this
man and woman to say farewell to
mortality.
Save in the intervals, when Paul
went to replenish the fire. he sat at
Emily's side and together they watch
ed and listened to the majestic travail
ing of the weariless, pitiIess deep.
1t was not far from midnight when
the sea tore away half of the meadow
and the plum tree This bit of earth
floated in their sight for but a breath.
1t was. then il was not. Where II had
been was a patch of leaping. rolling
waters, white-fanged like wolves at a
kill.
Emily put out a hand and took one off
Paurs.
The end-it will come-Iike that
quickly" she whispered. Il will-will
not be afraid am sure II you will let
me hold your hand"
Paul Lavelle could make no answer
save pressing the gentle hand in both
of his. II was sufficient to comfort her.
After long silence she asked:
why are you rot afraid?"
Il don't know" he answered simply.
unless - is because ! can't believe
that a marvellous creation like mankind
stops with what we call death. | can't
believe that wondrOus beings-like you
and Chang. capable of the sublimest
thoughts and impulses-come and go
and are no more. Rather. | think what
we are facing is yet a little sleep. a
little slumber. a little folding of the
hands 10 sleep.
Nor was Emily conscious of her hand
clasping Paul LaVelle's with loves
tightness in it's pressure.
My father believed as you she be-
gan, only to stop short as she felt him
start She had ever been on her guard
against spea king of her people TO this
l. fNf