Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-18

They had climbed down in the
twilight from the ragged coast to the
smooth broad shore beneath, which
spread for a quarter of a mile toward
the ocean beyond. One was a man of
thirty, Dick Beauchamp, and the
other a boy of twelve, was Roderick,
Dicks nephew.
Uncle Dick" the boy called out
against the sound Of the wind and
waves. hadn't we better turn
around? Mother said I was to be sure
you came in by s. She told me she
thought as long as you are going back
tomorrow morning, you would wart
to see Miss Reynolds tonight and |
wasn't to tease you to stay away.
That Miss Reynolds is cross at you,
she told me-
ooh, Miss Reynolds" Dick began
in an offhand way, and then, locking
out to sea he interrupted himself.
Curious sort of tower that light
house, | suppose. Funny place to
have it, though, out there on the
sand"
isn't 1t FUNNY" said the boy.
Come, let's get back to the hotel"
Forget that replied Dick walking
resolute]y out in the direction OF the
tower. There was a sudden look OF
annoyance in his face. Turn
around, boy" he said suddenly, mot
for Miss Reynolds, you know, but jor
~" tide. It is coming in fast
The tv'o turned quickly a about,
while tie f'oel Of the incoming tice
swept around before them and formed
an everlasting stream between them
and the rocks. Hurry, Dick" said
the boy. my feet are soaked.
Something mere than ,>aked
feet" srunted Dick. You'd better
swim. You will lose your footing it
you trv to walk
BY this time they had, both been
swept up in the incoming tide, and,
with a sudden ems Of fear gripping
at their hearts, the two were battling
against a current that rushed with
rising force toward the coast. In a
second Dick had taken in the situa-
ton. and with confidence in the boys
riuck called out, Make for the open,
lnick!"
He. swan up to place a strong re
assuring grasp on the boys coat
collar" We. can swim out to tbs
tower. Maybe that is what it is there
for. We will get all tangled up in
the current and rocks and things II
we go toward shore" For a few
minutes they swan on with steady
even strokes.
Then with a few words of direction
from Dick. he and the boy gained a
footing on the steps that came out into
the water i%nvitingly. In a minute
more they stood in the shelter of the
sea-worn gray stone balcony above
the steps. ~ knew the tide came in
with a vengeance here" said Dick.
hut | never knew it was like that
Richard was examining a latch on
the rusty i%ron-bound oak door that
led from the stone stairs to the in
side of the tower.
"Not afraid of ghosts are you,
sonny?' he said laughing.
Don't let's go in anyway said
the boy. eve a dry off on the
balcony here
And we can walk back at low
tide" added Richard. Let me see;
that will be some time in the middle
OF the night. You will have to go to
sleep and forget how hungry you
ave
ne 10Y IHO ou66SoIIOAs
and before many minutes had pasesd
he had thrown himself down on the
stone balcony and was trying to sleep.
"What is that?" asked the boy when
he suddenly reused himself from halt
sleep. Don't you hear something's"
"Fiddlesticks,'' said Dick with a
forced laugh, unwilling to admit even
to himself that there came family the
sounds of a woman's voice from
somewhere within the tower.
{" heard it again. said the boy.
Gee! but I wish o hadn't said
what you did about the spooks and
this place being haunted. | wish it
wasn't getting dark
Dick stepped to the oak door that
lied into the body Of the tower and
closed it carefully, and hen returned
to wait patiently for a half hour till
his nephew was sound asleep. Then
dick took his own cloak and spread
it over the sleeping boy, crept noise
lessly to the oak door and passed INTO
the room within.