The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-06-11

Good Lord!" Barcus exclaimed, %
Alan gently lowered the inert body Of
the girl to the sands. And to think
/ didn't understand she wal 10 nearly
M in-chafang her like that! I'd like
10 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" ~:
It was an order by no mean easy
to I'LL; Barcus had only his cupped
hands for q 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 tho
t~rance.like slumbers Of exhaustion into
which she passed from her fainting
T.: 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! It would be kinder
to let her rest. at least until l see what
sort Of a reception that lighthouse is
inclined to offer US"
you'll 60, them" Barcus inquired.
IT'D just as lief, myself :"
"No; let me-" Alan insisted. Ute
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 adj
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 q mile on, l~ong-legged
wharves stood knee-deep in the water.
like tentacles flung out from the sleepy
little fishing village that dotted tho
rising grounds community Of per-
hape two hundred dwellings.
Nor was this all-even as Alan hove
in view of the village he heard q series
Of staccato shorts, the harsh tolling Of
q bra1en. bell. the rumble Of q train
pulling out from q station. And then
he saw its devastating Of lights Hash
athwart the landscape and vanish a.
its noise died away diminuendo.
Where one train raj another must.
He need only now secure something
to revive Rose. help her somehow up
the beach, and in another hour or two.
Of a 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, i~ll-pleased
to have his plans d%isordered by chance
flung strangers. He greeted Alan's
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 q 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?"
Hes going. I'm the OPERATOR. 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. Ill say g'd-night to
you"
"But I must send q telegram" Alan
protested. II tell you, ! must. It's
q matter Of life and DEATH"
"Sure. young Teller. It always is
after business hours"
Won't you open up again"
II tell you. MOI"
In desperation Alan rammed q hand
into his trousers pocket. will q dol
lar influence your better Judgments"
he suggested shrewdly.
Lets see your dollar" the other re-
turned with no less craft-open in
credulity informing his c~ountenance.
And, surely enough. Alan brought
forth an empty hand. 4
Make a light" he said sharply. my
moneys in q belt round my waist.
Open your Office. You'll get your dol
Il 49, A-l-HA - g .aL DBL. .- p.