The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-20
CHAPTER XIX.

"Geel" he grunted frankly. when
after toilsome progress from the
boat. Rose at length slipped from the
seat formed by the clasped hands Of
the two men. And 1t was me who
suggested thisl"
The girl responded with quiet
laugh OF the most natural effect imag-
inabie--until 1t ended In sigh, and
without the least warning she crum-
pied upon herself. and would have
fallen heavily. In dead faint. but for
Alan's quickness.
Good Lord" Barcus exclaimed, as
Alan gently lowered the inert body OF
the girl to the sands. And TO think
didn't understand she was so nearly
all in--chaifing her like that I'd like
to kick myself"
Don't be impatient" Alan advised
grimiy; I'm busy just at present, but
Meantime, you might fetch
some water to revive her"
II was an order by no means easy
to fill; Barcus had only his cupped
hands for vessel. and little water
remained in them by the time he had
dashed from the shadows back to the
| spot where Rose lay unconscious,
| while the few drops he did manage
TO sprinkle into her face availed moth
| Ing toward rousing her from the
trance-llke slumbers OF exhaustion into
which she passed from her fainting
/ fit.
In the end Alan gave up the effort.
She's all right he reported releas-
ing the wrist whose pulse he had been
timing sShe tainted, right enough,
but now she's just asleep-and needs
II. God knowsl 1t would be kinder
TO let her rest, at least until | see what
sort of a reception that lighthouse Is
inclined TO offer us"
Barcus nodded, His face was drawn
and gray in the moon-glare. THANK
Godi" he breathed brokenly, you're
able. I'm not
He sat down suddenly and rested his
head on his knees. Don't be longer
than you can help" he muttered
thickly.
lie had come to the headland OF
the lighthouse itself before the ground
began to shelve more gently TO the
beach; and was on the point of ad
dressing himself to the dark and silent
cottage OF the lightkeeper when he
paused. struck by sight OF what till
then had been hidden from him.
The promontory, he found. formed
the eastern extremity OF wide-armet
II shallow harhor where rode at moor
ings considerable number OF small
pleasure vessels assorted about
equally with fishing boats. And barely
an eighth of mile on, long-leggeC
wharves stood knee-deep in the water
like tentacles flung out from the sleep,
little fishing village that dotted tn,
rising grounda community of per
haps two hundred dwellings,.
Nor was this all--even as Alan how
in view OF the village he heard series
OF staccato shorts, the harsh tolling o
hrazen bell. the rumble Of a trail
pulling out from station. And thel
he saw its jewel.string of lights flasl
I
It's noise died away dlmlnuendo,
Where one train ran another must
He need only now secure somethin
10 revive Rose. help her somehow u
the beach. and In another hour or two
OF a certainty. they would be speed
ing northwards. up the cape, towar
Boston and the land of law and ordel
Such thoughts as these. at leas
made up the texture Of his hopes: tn
outcome proved them somewhat to
presumptuous. He logged down
quiet village street and into the raj
road station just as the agent was clio
ing up for the night.
A surly citizen, this agent. ill-please
to have his plans disordered by ehancl
! flung strangers. He greeted Alan
e breathless query with grunt of Ii
; grained churlishness.
"Nah." he averred. they amt I
more trains till mornin'. Cart " Sc
/ I'm shuttin' up?"
But surely there must be a tel
e graph station
h You bes your life they is-rigl
d here in this depot. An I'm shuttin
d up. too"
y "lfas the operator gone for Il
o Tisht?r
He's going. I'm the OPERATOR. \
b business transacted after Office hour
ie Cali raound at eight o'clock tonic
row mornin. Now If you'll jest ST
b. out of that door. I'E say g'd-night
you"
re But must send telegram" All
Re protested Il tell you. must. /
to a matter of life ami death"
i'd "Sure. young fsiler. 1t always Is
after business hours"
~ s.VCangf vo,. rttan mn aoafns