The Washington times., 1913-07-18
CHAPTER XIV.
The Isle Of Hope,

hope burgeoning weather had
followed that silent dawn-days
OF placid seas and gentle breezes
sad night. alight with stars and a grow
ing moon. The island had been notion
less. 1t might have been one Of the
Blessed Isles in a world where life was
everlasting.
Isle Of Hope, Emily had christened the
bit Of fiosting earth, nor could she have
told why optimism relgned in her heart
and soul. She WAS unaware that she
was rejecting only what the manner CT
Paul Iavelie gave forth. His every act
and word was reinsurance of falth
and the motive of her eyer-IncreasIng
wonder of him.
Yet IL was but a mask of service
which LavelIe had determined to wear
for this woman sake. He had put it
on in that daybreak when he had met
her coming toward him and heard her
calling:
we still live. captain
There had welled in his heart at that
moment rne gentle Steyenson's prayer
for grace a prayer which had sus-
tained Lavelle often in peril and sor-
rowland it poured from his lips to md
an echo in the womans, for she, too.
knew It,
Grant that we here before Thee may
he set free from the fear of vicis-
situde and the fear of death, may finish
what remains before US or our course
without dishonor to ourselves or hurt 10
others, and. when the day comes. may
die in peace. Deliver US from fear and
favor; from mean hopes ands cheap
pleasures. Have mercy on each IN his
deficiency: let him not be cast down;
support the stumbling on the way, and
give at last rest to the weary.
To help this womans spirit to be un-
afraid was all that was left Tor MIN 10
do for her. 1t was the most he would
ever be able to do for her. OF this La
yeIIe felt certain He knew the sea too
well TO deceive himself with a false
hone that its kind mood would continue
long. But while life lasted II was MS
purpose to live il unafraid and as II
years still measured the span and hot
Swift minutes.
Under his hand the discipline of ship
board prevailed There was not mo-
msnt, BY day or night, when lookout
for sign of succoring sail or light went
unkept. With Chang. his right hand,
iaveile divided the night watches, not
trusting Rowgowski. Even Emily. ac-
cording to her wish. helped I'm the tasks
Of preparing the food and tending the
FIRE by day. An out-of-doors woman by
tradition and inclination. a powerful
rider and swimmer, the pride which she
had always taken in her physical we'll
being was standing her in good stead
how.
the extremity which had come to pass,
had abandoned himself to despair. II
was incredible that he had ever been,
as he claimed, an officer in the Russian
navy, or otherwise a commander of
men. He was absolutely spiritless--an
exeu1plificatIoE of the truth that
towards die many dimes before their
deaths.
day of fair weather his funklifted and
he went to his appointed tasks with a
willingness which was emphasized by
his previous sullenness.
Having observed al the outset that
the islands wood supply was limited.
Iavelle had been husbanding II by
burning sod. He used the wood solely
for the signal fires Of the night.
Now. on this morning of the fourth
daS, he again put the Russian to cut
ting turf from the hillside while he
and Chang armed with the boat ak.
set forth to cut down the palm tree in
the meadow. Rowgowskii. the preced-
ing evening. had suggested its addition
TO the signal fuel.
you Will not be long, captain?" ask
ed Emily as Iavelle paused to look
back at her in leaving the crest of the
hin.
mo longer than is absolutely neces-
sary."
"And you--you will be careful" she
warned and unashared OF the tremu-
her voice He nodded. This mans pres
ence had become very necessary-very
precious TO her.
'It'e your watch on deck. you know,
Lavelle called cheerfully. Then. with a
quizzical lowering Of his brows and In