Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-04-08

I didn't understand she was so nearly
all in-chaffing her like that, I'd like
TO kick myself"
Don't be impatient" Alan advised
grimly; I'm 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 a 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
10 sprinkle into her face awaited moth
ing toward rousing her from the
trance-like slumbers OF exhaustion into
which she passed from her fainting
tit.
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
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 u.s."
I'D just as lief. myself :"
NO; let me-" Alan insisted. "lt'e
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
Cod" 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 Oh The point of ad.
dressing himself TO the dark and silent
cottage of the lightkeepsr 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
if shallow harbor where rode at moor
ings a considerable numL r OF small
craft-pleasure vessels assorted about
equally with fishing boats. And barely
an eighth of mile on. long-legged
.
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 of
| brazen bell, the rumble of a train
pulling out from a station. And then
he saw its jewel-string of lights flash
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 up
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 too
presumptuous. He logged down a
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-pleased
to have his plans disordered by chance
breathless query with a grunt Of in
grained churlishness.
NAH" he averred, they amt no
more trains till mornin'. Can't y see
I'm shuttin' up?"
But surely there must be a tele-
graph station"
You bet your life they is-right
here in this depot. An I'm shuttin' it
up. too"
Has the operator gone for the
night?"
He's going. I'm the op'rator. No
business transacted after Office hours.
Call raound at eight o'clock tomor-
row mornin'. Now If you'll jest step
out of that door. I'll say g'd-night to
you"
But must send a telegram" Alan
protested Il tell you, l must. It's
a II after of life and death"
Sure, young Teller. 1t always is
after business hours"
Won't you open up again"
Il tell you, MOI"
In desperation Alan rammed a hand
into his trousers pocket. "Will dol
lar influence your better Judgment ?"
he suggested shrewdly.
Let's see your dollar" the other re-
turned with no less craft-open in
credulity informing his countenance.
And, surely enough, Alan brought
forth an empty hand.
Make light" he said sharply. My
moneys in a belt round my waist.
Open your office. You'll get your dol
lar. all right"
'All right" he grumbled, reopening
the door of the telegraph booth and
making a second light inside. There's
blanks and a pencil. Write your mes
sage. 1t amt often l do this-but I'll
make an exception for you"
Alan delayed long enough only to