The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-08
CHAPTER TX.
The Camp on the Beach.

THE Camp on the Beach.
Sunset of the day that had dawnet
strangely and wonderfully fol
lose two wayfarers of earth, James
nd Agatha, fell on little CAM
ear the spit of coast-land toward
hich they had struggled. The point
fted itself abruptly into a rocky
hnk which curved in and out, yield
Ag to the besieging waves. Just
|ere had been formed little sandy
ove partly protected by the beetline
lin. At the top was verdure in abun
ance. Vines hung down over the
bee of the wall, coarse grasses and
nderbrush grew to its very edge, and
harp-pointed fir trees etched them.
ELVES against the clear blue of the
Ky. Below, the white sand formed
sickle-shaped beach, bordered by
he rocky wall, with its sharp point
Tipping far out to sea. High up on
NE sand a small rowboat was beach
b. There was no path visible up
rom the shingle, but 1t was evident
hat the ascent would be easy enough.
/ Nevertheless, the campers did not
httempt it. Instead. they had made
y IRE of driftwood on the sand out
pf reach Of the highest tide. Near
the fire they had spread fir boughs,
Rnd on this fragrant couch James was
lying. He was all unconscious, ap-
parently. of the primitive nature of
his surroundings, the sweetness of
his balsam bed. and the watchful care
Of his two nurses.
Jim was In bad way. II one could
trust the remarks of his male nurse,
who spoke to an invisible companion
asv he gathered chips and other bits
of rood from the beach. He was a
young, businesslike fellow with a
clean, wholesome face, dressed only
In a gauze shirt. trousers, and boots
without stockings; this lack, Of
course. was not Immediately appar-
emit. The tide had just turned after
the ebb, and he went far down over
the wet sand, sometimes climbing
over the rocks farther along the shore
until he was out of sight Of the
camp.
Returning from one of these excur-
sions, which had been a bit longer
than he intended, he looked anxiously
toward the fire before depositing his
armful Of driftwood The blaze had
died down, but a good bed of Goals
and upon this the young
man expertly built up a new fire. 1t
crackled and blazed into life, throw
Ing rudy glow over the single,
the rocks behind, and the figure lying
On the balsam couch. James face
was waxen in its paleness, save for
two fiery spots on his cheeks; and
as he lay he stirred constantly in a
reverish unyest. His bare feet were
nearest the fire; his blue woollen
trousers and shirt were only partly
visible, being somewhat covered by
! mans tweed coat.
The fire lighted up. also, the figure
1f Agatha Redmond. She was kneel-
ing at the farther end of Jim's couch,
laying a white cloth, which had been
wdt. over his temples. Her long
lark hair was hanging just as 1t had
Tried, except that it was tied together
low in the back with string of slip
perry seaweed. Her neck was bare.
her feet also; her loose blouse had
ost all semblance of a made-to-order
garment, bxk it still covered her;
while a petticoat that had once been
black satin hung in stiff, salt-dried
;reases over her waist to little be-
ow her knees. She had the well-set
head and good shoulders. with deep
hest, which makes any garb becom-
ny; her face was bonny, even now,
,louded. as 1t was with anxiety and
'atigue. She greeted the young man
EAGERLY on his return.
IF yor could only find little more
'resh water, am sure 1t would help.
rhe milk was good. only he would
AXE so little. l think l shall have
% let you go this evening to hunt for
he farmhouse"
yes, Mademoiselle," the young
nan replied. He had wanted to go
sarlier in the day. but the man was
90 i'll and the woman too exhausted
% be left alone. He went on speak
ng slowly, after pause. II can find
he farmhouse, am sure. only II
nay take little time. Following the
;attle would have been the quickest
way; but ! can find the cowpath soon,
syen as 1t is. II you wouldn't be I'M
Easy with me gone, Mademoiselle!"
"Oh. no, We shall be all right now,
j you can get back" AS she spoke.
(gatha's eyes rested questioningly
,n the youth who, ever since she had
revived from her faint OF exhaustion.
lad leased her memory. He had seen
hem struggling In the sea. and had