The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-04-22
CHAPTER v.-(Cont!nueaD

calculated that two hours would bring
them abreast Eddy's islands, II they
passed to the north. che light keeper
would see them, Jean's dress was
white. II they went 70 the south, or
between the two. there VAS small
chance OF their being seen. unless the
keeper was watching the sea closely
with his glass. Their brightest hope
lay in the possibility that they might be
driven into the shallow waters covering
the unseen approach to the reefs. Eric
knew the waters well. He had gone
there dozens Of times with the fishing
boats.
The sky was now clear. n a hot sun
beat down Upon them; the storm was
rolltcking far ahead of them. A steady
wind from the shore was blowing, and
soon the tide would come out. Waves
still ran high. out they were not SO
angry as they had been.
Eric could see that the girl was
growing weak from the strain and
posture. He was no longer able to
cheer her with his heartiest cries, She
looked wan n ready to give up the
struggle to keep her head from falling
forward, limp with fatigue.
To his despair, the current caught
them up and drew them toward the
passage between the Islands. He be-
gan to pray. His whole soul cried out
to God, imploring Him to send them
onto the shoals where he could have a
chance to save the girl whose life was
more to him now than anything else in
all the world. His own strength n
vitality We're fast departing; his limbs
We're chilled and numb, his lenses
dulled and sluggish with the drug Of
WEAKNESS.
He could see that they would drift
past the upper end of Little Eddy, per-
haps 100 yards from the visible rocks.
The broad HAVING noean law Sfrnof1u
beyond. 1t was clear to him that they
had not been observed by the light
keeper. Just as he was in the deepest
despair, the impulse to cut loose from
the boat II try for the rocks came
over him. He could easily swim that
sufficient to do it with the almost dead
weight of the girl as a burden?
Eric was always quick to act. He
was cool. but he was daring. The
thought was father to the act. He
drew up his stiffened legs and began
to unlace his shoes, first rolling his
trousers up to the knees. Kicking off
the heavy shoes, he clambered over the
boat and set to work releasing Joan.
She was faint, but conscious of his
action.
Tn going to swim in with you, Joan.
Don't be afraid. Do just as I tell you,
and We'll soon be safe. Well be able to
'NN NASSA W. oSh "AI441l ~ II VI
the rock"
She followed his Instructions to the
best Of her ability, and soon he was
struggling franttcally toward the ugly,
forbidding wall Of rock, swimming with
all the power h a was left in his racked
young body. Many a stronger SWIM
er that he would have failed In the at
tempt, but a strange, unnatural vigor
came to his aid, born OF pride and des-
peration.
lust as he realized that he could not
swim a stroke farther, and the goal still
many yards away, his numb feet struck
against hard substance. He involun-
tarily. even recklessly, allowed them to
sink In the hope Of touching bottom.
He was on the shelving rock!
sun there were many yards to ira
verse, and he would have to carry her
all the way, battling against the small
but stubborn breakers. How he COW
cred the distance, stumbling, falling.
scrambling, he never could have told,
but after what seemed an hour, he
crept out of he breakers n fell ex-
hausted on the rock, dragging Joan aft
or him. Scarcely able to move his
tired limbs he pulled and tugged until
they were well u Of the baffled waters
n her he rolled over on his back and
gasped for breath.
1t was the girl who first showed signs
OF re~cuperation. She raised herself to
a sitting posture, supporting her body
with her hands, and studied the limp
figure at her side through bewildered.
half understanding eyes. Her mind
worked slowly, SO slowly that a full
minute passed before she realised that
ne was as mottonless as death itself.
Then her hand went out, timorously,
dumbly, to touch the pallid face. The
fear that was growing in her family
beating heart was dispelled almost in
stantly. quite before it was fully
formed; he opened his eyes at her
touch. For a long time they looked
into each others eyes, and then q wry
smile broke on his lips.
Gee" he said, in very shaky tones,
Il guess you've got a right to think
I'm an awful duffer."
Il though % were-Oh, Eric, you
are not dead! I am SO glad-so glad!"
she sobbed, clasptng her hands to her
II didn't dare to look at you,
joan" he murmured hoarsely. a spasm
of pain convulsing his face. IT was
afraid you hadn't come through all
oh. IL had not touched me
when 0 did l should have died. 1
believe / held my breath for an hour.
Thank God, thank Godi"
He sat up beside her, touched her
hands, her face with his fingers. A
smile of relief, of actual glee, spread
over his face like an illumination. He
drew a deep breath, as she smiled wan
" in return, and then staggered to his
feet to shout and dance lik one bereft
OF his senses.