Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1914-09-18

to kick myself"
Don't be impatient" Alan advised
grimly; Pm busy just at present, but
Meantime. you might fetch
some water to revive her"
1t 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-like slumbers Of exhaustion into
which she passed from her fainting
nj.
In the end Alan gave up the effort.
She's all right" he reported, releas-
ing the wrist whose pulse he had been
timing. She tainted, right enough,
but now she's just asleep-and needs
it, God knows! 1t would be kinder
to let her rest, at least until see what
sort of reception that lighthouse Is
inclined to offer u.s.
You'll go, them" Barcus inquired.
"Id just as lief, myself :"
mo; let me-" Alan insisted. It's
not far--not more than a quarter OF a
mile. And she'll be safe enough here,
in your care, the little time I'm gone"
Barcus nodded His face was drawn
and gray in the moon-glare. Thank
God!" 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.
He 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 a wide-armed
II shallow harbor where rode at moor
ings a considerable number of small
craft-pleasure vessels assorted about
equally with fishing boats. And barely
an eighth of a mile on, long-legged
wharves stood knee-deep in the water,
like tentacles flung out from the sleepy
little fishing village that dotted the
rising ground-a community of per
hape two hundred dwellings.
Nor was this all-even as Alan hove
in view of the village he heard series
of staccato snorts,. the harsh tolling oil
a brazen bell, the rumble Of train
pulling out from station. And Their
he saw its jewel.string of lights fash
athwart the landscape and vanish as
its noise died away diminuendo.
Where one train ran another must
He need only now secure something
to revive Rose, help her somehow vi
the beach, and in another hour or two
of certainty, they would be speed
ing northwards, up the cape, toward
Boston and the land of law and order
Such thoughts as these, at least
made up the texture of his hopes; the
outcome proved them somewhat toe
presumptuous. He logged down
quiet village street and into the rail
road station Just as the agent was clos
ing up for the night
A surly citizen, this agent, ill-pleaseC
to have his plans disordered by chance
flung strangers. He greeted Alan
breathless query with grunt of In
grained churlishness.
Nah" he averred, they amt nj
more trains till mornin'. Can't y SCI
I'm shuttin' up?'
But surely there must be tele
graph station"
You bet your life they is-righ
here In this depot. An I'm shuttin
up, too"
Has the operator gone for tn
night?"
He's going I'm the op'rator. N
business transacted after office hours
Call raound at eight o'clock tomol
row mornin'. Now If you'll jest ste
out OF that door. I'll say g'd-night I
you"
But must send telegram" Ala
protested. Il tell you, | must. 1t
a matter of life and death"
Sure, young Teller, 1t always is
after business hours"
Wont you open up again"
II tell you, mol"
In desperation Alan rammed han
into his trousers pocket. will do
lar influence your better judgment
he suggested shrewdly.
Lets see your dollar" the other n
turned with no less craft-open II
credulity informing his countenanc'
And, surely enough, Alan brougf
forth an empty hand.
Make light" he said sharply. M
moneys In a belt round my wais
Open your office. You'll get your do
lar, all right"
"All right" he grumbled, reopenin
the door of the telegraph booth an
!, making second light inside. There
blanks and a pencil. Write your me
sage. 1t amt often | do this-but L
make an exception for you"
Alan delayed long enough only
make few inquiries, drawing OF
the information that, for one who ha
not patience to wait the mornlr
train northbound. the quickest wa
to any city of importance was by boz
across Buzzard's bay to New Bedfor
n Boats, it was implied, were plen
q full. readily to be chartered.
Q A timetable supplied all other nee
4 full advice. Alan wrote his messal
o swiftly.
Addressed to Digby, his man
Il business in New York, 1t required tn
?. gentleman to arrange for motor-c
d to be held in waiting on the waite