The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-03

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.
I'D just as lief, myself
mo; let me-" Alan insisted. Ute
not far-not more than 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 wide-armed
il shallow harbor where rode at moor
, 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 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
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
! flung strangers. He greeted Alans
/ GREATNESS query with 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 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, I'll say g'd-night to
you"
But l must send telegram" Alan
protested. 81 tell you, / must. It's
matter of life and DEATH"
Sure, young Teller. 1t always is
after business hours"
Won't you open up again."
II tell you, mol"
In desperation Alan rammed 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 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
make a few inquiries, drawing out
the information that, for one who had
, not patience to wait the morning
! train northbound. the quickest way
to any city of Importance was by boat
across Buzzards bay to New Bedford.
Boats, it was implied, were plenti.
full, readily to be chartered.
A timetable supplied all other need
full advice. Alan wrote his message
swiftly.
Addressed to Digby, his man OF
business in New York, 1t required that
gentleman to arrange for motor-cor
to be held in waiting on the water.
! front of New Bedford from 3.OO m
until called for in the name of Mr.
Law. as well as for a special train at
Providence, on similar provisions.
But now, though he was all uncon-
scious of the fact, he went no more
alone
His shadow in the moonlight kent
! him company upon the sands; and
! aoave, on the edge of the bluffs. an
ether shadow moved on parallel
tatrse and at a pace sedulously pat,
terms 4 after his.
lie found his sweetheart and his
D ct i