The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-05-24
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MARTHA bELLINGER


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she were pulled by a giants unseei
hand. With a sudden last lurch SIT
disappeared entirely, and only widen
ing circles fieetingly marked the plac'
of her going.
The two In the water watched witt
fascinated eyes, filled with awe. Whel
it was all over Agatha turned to he
companion with a long-drawn breath
Jim looked as one looks whose las
hope has failed.
Il could never have let you q
| aboard anyway" He loved her anew
for that speech. but knew not how
to meet her eyes.
We'll, Ulysses lost his raft, too
he managed to say.
He saw the sunrise, too, just a:
we have seen it; and he saw a distan
island. that seemed a shield LAID
on the misty sea Let's look hare
now, each time the wave lifts US
Perhaps We also shall see an island
I'VE must swim harder; you are
chilled through"
"Oh, no." she laughed. 81 shiv
cred at the thought of what fright
! must look. ! always did hate to
get my hair wet"
You look all right to me"
They were able to laugh, and sc
kept up heart. They tried TO calcu
late the direction the yacht had
taken when she left port. and where
the land might lie: and when they
had argued about 1t, they set out to
swim a certain way. In their hearts
each felt that any calculation was
futile, but they pretended to be in
earnest. They could not see far, but
they created for themselves a goal
and worked toward 1t, which is OF
itself happiness.
So they watched and waited, ages
long Hope came to them again
presently. James, treading water,
thrust up his head and scented the
air.
II smell the salt marsh, which
means land!" He shifted again. Yes.
decidedly"
A moment later it was there, be-
fore their vision-that shield laid on
the misty sea" which was the land.
rocky spit of coast land, with fir
trees farther back. James made for
the nearest point. though his heart
shrank to see how far away 1t was.
Fatigue and anxiety were taking
their toll of his vigor. Neither
one had breath to spare even for ex-
ultation that the land was In sight
Little by little Agatha grew more
quiet. though not less brave. It took
all her strength to fight the water
that mighty element which indiffer-
emily supports or engulfs the human
atom. II she feared, she made no
sign. Bravely she kept her heart, and
carefully she saved her strength.
swimming slowly. resting often, and
wasting no breath in talk.
But more and more frequently her
eyes rested wistfully on James, mute
ly asking him for help. He watched
her minute by minute, often begging
her to let him help her.
"Oh, no, not yet; can 60 on nicely.
II Just rest little. There-thank
you"
Once she looked at him with such
pain in her eyes that he silently took
her hands, placed them on his shout
der and carried her along with his
stronger stroke. She was treasured
by his strength. and presently she
slipped away from him, smiling con-
fldently again as she swan along
side.
I'm all right now; but I suddenly
thought, what II anything should hap
pen to you. and I be left alone! Or
what II l should get panicky and
clutch you and drag you down, the
way people do sometimes!"
But ] shan't leave you alone, and
you're not going to do that"
Agatha smiled. but could only say,
II hope mott"
She forged ahead little, and pres
emily had another moment Of fright
on looking round and finding that Jim
had disappeared. He had suddenly
dived. without giving her warning. He
came up a second later, putting and
splitting the bitter brine; but his face
was radiant.
Rocks and seaweed!" he cried.
THE land is near. Come; l can
swim and take you, too, easily. And
now | know certainly Just which way
to 60 Come, comet"
Agatha heard 1t all. but this time
she was unable to utter a word. jim
saw her stiff lips move in an effort
to smile or speak. but he heard no
voice.
Keep up. keep up. dear girl!" he
cried. We'll soon be there Try,
try to keep up! Don't lose for a