Evening journal., 1914-09-14
I-sTRANpNp.

Mr. Thomas Barcus picked himself up from the
bottom Of the nfeboat. where he had been violent
" precpitated by the impact OF grounding, olinkeo
and wiped tears Of pain from his eyes, sohcitousy
ested his nose and seemed 70 derive little II any
comfort from the discovery that II was not broken
opened his mouth and remembered the pres
of lady.
.Poogs Mr. Barcus!" she said gently. -rm 30
sorry. DO forget I'm here-and say IL out loudl
MT Barcus dropped his hands and dropped his
lead az the same time.
1T can't be did" he complained in embittered
resignation; "the words have never been Invent
In the bows, Mr.. Law (who had barely saved
himself a headlong plunge overheard when the
shoal took fast hold OF the kee) felt tenderly OF
his excorated shins, then, rising, compassed the
sea- sky and shore with anxious gaze.
In the ofnng there nothing but the fiat lin
itless expanse OF the night-bound tide, at
hand vaguely sIlvered with the moonlight, in the
distances blending into shadows: never light
shadowy, stealing sail in that quarter to indicate
pursuit
.'Nhere are we?" he wondered aloud.
ASK me an easy one" BaFcus replied: some
where on the south shore Of the cape-unleas
somebody's been tamperng with the lay Of this
land That's n lighthouse over yonder"
Alan took soundings from the bows.
Barely two feet" he announced, Withdrawing
the oar from the water, "and eelgrass no end"
"Oh." Barcus calculated with the accent OF en-
lightenment and leaving the motor, turned to the
stern, over which he draped himself In highly un
decorative fashion while cropping under water for
the propeller.
That's the answer" he reported; there's
Young bale OF the said eel-grRss wrapped round
the wheel. Which, suppose means I've got to go
overheard and clear IL away"
like Mr.. Law, he wore neither shoes nor other
garments that could be more damaged by salt
water than they had been-but only shirt. trousers
and a belt
IT you've nothing better to do, my critical
friend" he observed he stopped to hack and
tear at the OF weed embarrassing the pro
peIler, you might step out and give us a trial
shove. Don't strain yourseif-just see If you can
move her
The boat budged not an inch-but Mr.. Laws
feet did, slipping the treacherous mud bottom
with the upshot OF his downfall: with mighty
splash he disappeared momentariy beneath the
surface-and left hts temper behind when he
emerged
AS for Mr. Barous he suffered like loss within
I'VE minutes; when, with much pains and patience
having freed the wheel, he climbed aboard and
sought 70 restart the motor After few affecting
coughs Il reapsed into stubborn silence
studious examination at length brought out the
fact that the gasoline tank empty.
Not so much as a smell left" Barcus reported
TITS no use" he conceded at length. We're
here for keeps"
why not wade ashoreg" Rose Trine suggested
mildly from the place she had taken In the sterr
IN order 20 tighten the bows 1T isn't so far-ant
what's one wetting7'
That's the only sensible remark that's beer
uttered by any party to this lunatic enterprise
since you hove within earshot OF me- Mr. Law
said Mr.. Barcus. Respectfully submitted"
The verdict Of the lower court stands an
proved" Alan responded gravely.
eBut there's no sense m Miss Trine wadng.
Barcus suggested. Were webfooted as It is
and she's too tired"
We'll what them"
we can carry her. can't wey'