Gilpin observer., 1915-02-25
Copyright, 1879

pool OF Stlil sea water ana stared at
his reflection. He saw bearded face,
skin blackened by exposure to tropical
suns, and two fierce eyes that glared
back into his. He knew that face. He
passed his hand over his forehead in
the endeavor to remember the name.
Why" said the ragged man, ad-
dressing his reflection, you are Jack
Devore."
Suddenly he sprang back and
laughed Historically. "Then I. too.
am Jack Devore!" he shouted.
And he grew quiet, forcing his mind
along its accustomed channels Of
thought, for he knew that he must be
sane when rescue came. as it must
some day. He needed sanity, to take
his vengeance upon Nathan White and
to win Rose Lane, his sweetheart of Il
year ago.
He had been living a year upon his
island, little more than a crag in the
South seas. Rose and he had accom-
panied Nathan White, young banker,
upon the pleasure cruise. Nathan and
he had been rivals for Roses love, and
Rose had preferred him. Still, Jack
had never suspected the devilish
thoughts in Nathan's heart
AS the yacht passed the rocky little
Isle, Rose had espied rare tropical
flower growing from the top of the
topmost peak. Jack and Nathan had
each vowed to procure 1t for her As
a landing from the yacht was impos-
sible upon that rocky shore, they had
leaped overheard and swum. Jack
had gained the beach first, had secured
the flower, and, in climbing back, had
fallen, breaking his leg.
The scene that followed would be
eternity.
"Can you get a boat. Nathan?" he
pleaded. MY legs broken"
Nathan took the flower from him
and. placing it in his mouth, waded
back into the breakers.
Nathan. you'll be as quick as you
CAM" pleaded Jack.
Nathan White deliberately came
back. He bent over the injured man.
-'l'm not coming back. dead mani" he
answered. And before Jack quite real
lied his intentions. Nathan was swim
ming out to the ship. which presently
turned and steamed past the island,
while Jack Devore, helpless, watched
her from the beach.
Fish came into the little pools with
the tides. Jack. maddened by this
treachery. resolved to live. He crept
TO the waterside. With his own hands.
despite the grueling pain. he set the
simple fracture. He lay there, under
the shelter of the cliffs, till he grew
well, subsisting on fish. Later, time
became blurred sequence of days and
nights. He did not know that whole
year had passed His brain. beset h.
visions, held to sanity because of the
two dominating impulses.
Slowly the ragged man raised him.
self from the pool. He looked out over
the sea. In the offing he saw a yacht
the yacht of Nathan White. He
could not be mistaken in her; and he
knew that the would-be murderer had
returned to see the scene of his crime
The ragged man watched the boat
that the sailor pulled into the shore.
He knew that the motionless figure in
the stern was Nathan. and he knew
that Gods designs are infinitely just.
The breakers lashed the craft, 1t
plunged and sidled among them,
driven rather than driving. The rag
ged man crouched down and waited,
hidden from view.
He saw the sudden swirl of the un-
hn Int
a feather. He saw the craft capsize
and the two figures thrown into the
sea Then he was racing down the
beach and battling with the ocean. his
muscles, hardened to steel by his
years exposure. carrying him swiftly
toward the two figures struggling in
the breakers. AS he neared them one
the sailor-threw up his arms and
sank. But the next moment he had
grasped White by the hair and was
swimming back with him.
Presently he was looking down into
the unconscious mans face. He
listened to Nathan's mutterings:
II wronged him. l left him to die.
But there is a chance that Jack is still
alive. l am going to save him or to
atone for my crime with my own life :"
And, knowing that Nathan's life lay
in his hands. and that at last his hopes
we're to be fulfilled, Jack Devore pulled
in the rocking boat, and, placing Ma.
than inside, swan beside her, guiding
and steering her out to the anchored
yacht.
Three hours later, clothed, shaved
and feeling once again this restoration
of his birthright as a civilized man.
Jack went to Nathan's bedside.
And. looking into his enemy's rolling
eyes and vacant face. he realized that,
for the present. at least, Nathan had
slipped out of his power.
-
Four years later. enriched by the
results of speculation In Argentine