The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-05-17
that he had risled his neck twice,
now, to follow the Vision?

now, to follow the Vision?
Swimming slowly. with Agatha's
hand at times on his shoulder, Jane:
turned his mind sharply to a consid
Grafton of their present position. They
had been alternately swimming and
floating. hoping to come upon the
yacht. The darkness of the night was
penetrable, SO that they could see q
fairly large circle Of water about
them. but there was no shadow OF
the Jeanne Dare. Save for the run
ming surge OF the waters, all was ST.
lence. The pale forerunners OF dawn
had appeared Their swim after the
boats of the Jeanne Dare had warm
/ ed their blood. so that for a while
they were not conscious of the chill
Of the water But as the minutes
heightened. one by one, fatigue and
| cold rumbed their bodies. II was a
test of endurance for a strong man ;
as for the girl. Jim wondered at her
strength and courage. She swan
superbly. with unhurried, steady
| strokes. If she grew chatteringly
cold, she would start into a vigorous
swim, shoulder to shoulder with
James. II she lost her breath with
the hard exercise, she would take his
hand, so as not to lose you," she
would say. and rest on the breast
OF the waves. The wind dropped and
the sea grew quiet, so that they were
no more cruelty buffeted, but rocked
up and down on its heaving bosom
Once, while they we're resting" on
the water, Agatha broke a long 81
lence with. Il wonder" but did not
at once say what she wondered at
Jim said nothing, but she knew he
was waiting and listening.
Suppose this should be the Great
Gateway" she said at last, very
lowly. but quite cheerfully and nat
lrally. Il am wondering what there Ii
beyond"
I've often wondered, too" said
Jim.
I've sometimes thought, and I've
said 1t, too, that was crazy to die.
just to see what happens" Agatha
went on. laughing a little at her own
memories. But find I'm not at all
eager for 1t, now, when 1t would be
so easy to go under and not come up
again. Are you?"
mo, I've never felt eager to die;
least OF ALL now"
Agatha was silent a while.
What do you think death means?
Shall we be we tomorrow. say, pro-
vided We can't keep afioat?" she
asked by and by.
Why. yes, | think So" said Jim.
Il don't know why or how, but l guess
we go on somewhere; and / rather
think our best moments here-our !
moments Of happiness or heroism, II |
we ever have any-are going to be /
the regular thing" Jim laughed a |
little. partly at his own lame ending. |
and partly because he felt Agatha's
hand closing more tightly over his.
He didn't want her to get blue just
yet, after her brave fight
But Agatha wasn't blue. She an
swered thoughtfully: That isn't a
bad idea" and then cheerfully turned
% a consideration of the possibilities
IF a rescue at dawn.
James had evolved a plan to wait
i'll enough light came to enable them
% reach the Jeanne dare, II she was
IT'LL afiCat; then to climb aboard and
lunt for provisions and life preserv-
ITS or something to use for raft.
Z he could do this. then they would
,e in a somewhat better plight. at
east for time. He prayed that the
Jeanne dare might still be afloat.
The two talked little. leaving 81
ences between them full OF wonder.
rhe details of life, the ordinary per
Qualities, were blotted out. Without
explanation or speech of any kind.
hey understood each other. They
we're not, in this hour, members of
complex and artificial society; they
we're not even man and woman; they
we're two souls stripped of everything
ut the need for fortitude and sweet
ess
At last came the dawn Slowly
he blue curtain Of night lifted, lifted,
ntil It became the blue curtain of
ky. endlessly far away and far above.
twinkling star looked down on the
up of ocean, glimmered a moment
nd was gone. The light strength
ned. A pearly, iridescent culver
anne upon the waters. repeating
self wave after wave, and heralded ,
he coming of the Lord Sun over the
reat murmuring sea. AS the light
rev. they could see a constantly Wild ,
ming circle of ocean, Of which they
ere the center. AS they rose and !
Ill with the waves, the horizon fell ,
nd rose to their vision, dim and un- !
efned. Hand In hand they foated .
vaporous silver ,
The day has come at last, thank ,
od!" breathed James.
yes. thank God" answered the :
ri. .
Are you very cold?" 4
The sun will soon warm u.s." :
Where did you learn to swimT" ;
I'm England, mostly at the Isle Of
light. but I'm not half such q
,lphin as you are" =
oh, we'll, boys have to swim. you
low, and I was a boy once" Jim I,
lswered awkwardly. Presently he :
ked. and his voice was full of awe:
lave you ever seen the dawn +,
Iwn like this-before?"
Never one like this" she whis ,
rod d