Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-05-16

fascinated eyes, filled with W When
it was all over Agatha turned to her
companion with a long-drawn breath.
Jim looked as one looks whose last
hope has failed.
II could never have let you 80
aboard. anyway" He loved her anew
for that speech, but knew not now
to meet her eyes.
"Well Ulysses lost his raft, tool"
he managed to say.
HE saw the sunrise, too, Just as
we have seen 1t: and he saw q distant
island, that seemed a shield laid
on the misty sea- Let's look hard
now. each time the wave lifts us.
Perhaps we also shall 9 an island"
1--WE must swim harder; you are
chilled through"
"Oh, no." she laughed. II shiv-
cred at the thought Of what q fright
I must look. / always did hate to
get my hair wet"
you look all right to me-"
They were able to laugh, and 80
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 It, 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 q goal
and worked toward 1t. which is OF
itself a happiness.
So they watched and waited, ages
long. Hope anne to them again
presently. James, treading water,
thrust up his head and scented the
at.
"T 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.
Only 1t was not like a shield. but a
rocky spit of coast land, with fr
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: I a 60 on nicely,
IL l Just rest a 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
fidently again as she swan along
side.
I'm all right now; but I suddenly
thought, what II anything should hap
pen to you. and l be left alone! o.
what II / should get panicky and
clutch you and drag you down. the
way people do sometimes!"
"But I shan't leave you alone. ant
you're not going to do that!"
Agatha smiled. but could only say
Il hope not!"
She forged ahead . little, and pres
!. emily had another moment of fright
!, on looking round and finding that jim
had disappeared. He had suddenly
! Owed. without giving her warning. H.
came up q second later. pufing ant
splitting the bitter brine; but his fact
was radiant.
Rocks and seaweed!" he cried
The land Is near. Come; ! car
swim and take you, too. easily. Ant
now l know certainly Just which wa!
|, to 60. Come. comet"
l Agatha heard 1t all, but this TIM
she was unable to utter q word. jim
: saw her stiff lips move in an effor
to smile or speak, but he heard nj
!. voice.
Keep up. keep up. dear grill" h
cried. We'll soon be there. Try
} try to keep up! Don't lose for
, moment the thought that you are nea
land, that you are almost there. w
are safe. you a go on-only a few
moments more!"
/ Poor Agatha strove as Jim bad
her, CALAMITY. hearing his voice a
through q thickening wall; but sh'
had already done her best. and more
: She struggled for a few halt-consciou'
moments; then suddenly her arm