The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-02
IIlI mi IAl
cHAPTER xvL-tcontlnued.l


Some. Eric. let US go back. Let
US 20 far away from here Why should
we stay In Corinth7 Why stay here by
the sea? Think Of the great. dry. peace
ful west. where the mountains
Listen" he broke in, hts voice ris-
ing to 4 monotonous. sing-song pitch,
listen to me. The fishing off the
Point used TO be the, best along the
coast. They tell me there Is no catch
at all I'm these days, and hasn't been
for half dozen years. The great
catches are no more. The fishermen
say that the stretch from here to the
Eddy Islands is hoodooed. They can't
understand II. But i could tell them,
Mary, could tell them. There's some
thing out there that scares them away,
that"
why. Erici" she cried. you are
losing your mind. What silly thing
to say. AS IL that could make any diff
ference to a fish, Don't be ridiculous"
We'll. It's queer. isn't it?" he in
sisted. You'll have to admit It." He
stared out across the tumbIing waters.
white fear in his widespread eyes.
She gave him a swift, furtive look. and
then fell to trembling all over. Was
he going mad2
Come away, Eric" she cried, tight
ening her grasp on his arm. It's hor-
rid here. Let us go back. It's tea
time See, 1t will soon be dark"
II wonder-I wonder IL 1t could be
possible for waves as big as these to
wash an iron chest ashore. Maybe it's
coming now, rolling over and over on
the bottom o.
She screamed aloud.
DON'T" -.r.
He had drawn SO close to the brink
OF the precipice, the better to search
the foaming crannies far below with
Nsao AkASs -
he obeyed the frantic tugging of her
hands and fell back to a less perilous
footing, short laugh cracking on his
lips.
mo-" he said. with note of triumph
In his voice; ut can't come ashore. It's
out there to stay"
Come, Eric" she pleaded.
He threw his arm around her. What
beast am to keep you up here In the
wind and rain. Why, you're drenched.
You're half frozen" Swiftly aroused
10 compassion and concern for her, he
led her away from the wild brink to q
less exposed spot In the lee Of a Jutting
rock. Here they were sheltered from
the wind and the freezing drizzle; but
the gale shrieked about their ears, and
the sea roared all the more loudly be-
cause they had skunk back from Its
fury. Great gulls careened past them,
their screams no more than sharp,
staccato barks, as Of a dog In flight.
The terror in Mary,s eyes was most
violently. Her wet hair had blown
across her face. Her figure was limp.
pathetic.
We'll go back. dearie," he cried. "Pm
sorry you came. You will be iii for all
this. I should have come alone. That's
what l wanted to do. I wanted to
smash this fear and dread I've had for
years. Well. I've done 1t. I'm no longer
afraid Of Stone Wall or the sea out
yonder. / can laugh at them and at
myself for having been afraid. can
laugh at" .-. .. y y
Suddenly he stopped as II petrified
Even as he uttered his hapless boast
there came floating up to him on the
wings OF the gale q harsh, never to be
forgotten laugh, hooking, distant, un-
located; came floating up as q part OF
the gibbering turmoil, out of the wind
racked Atlantic, out of nowhere!
Good God!" he gasped, shrinking
back against the rock with the glare
Of horror in his eyes. ..
She looked at him in utter amaze
ment--and dread. The terror In his
face was something she was never to
forget, s.
Erie" she whined. what is itY'
His voice was hoarse. "Did-did you
hear it?" ... ~"
ourselves, Eric" cried she, $50 don't
be afraid. We are not alone, dear.
heard some one"
He turned upon her with glad
shout. "You--you did hear 1t, then?
You heard the laughr
Yes. of course. Tramps, I suppose,
sheltered In the caves over"
THANK God! Thank Godl" he
shouted IL you heard II, too, then 1t
must have been real" ..a..
Real? The laugh? why-why,
Eric, how qleerly you act. What of 1t !?
Was II the laugh that-Ah! Seel
There they are--two of them"
She was pointing excitedly along the
crest of the cliff toward the right.
IN bold relief against the leaden sky,
the figures of two men stood out clear
ly defined. Not more than 100 yards
separated the two couples on this bleak,
supposedly deserted stretch OF Stone
Wall.
In sheer amusement the Midthornes
gazed at their fellow adventures
Slowly into their intelligence stole the
knowledge that these men were not
strangers. They knew them well!
Great. rain coated men were they, wind
blown and sturdy, and they looked not
toward them, but out to sea.
Again the raucous laugh was waited
across the rocks.
"By heaven, Mary, it's Adam CART"
cried Eric, passing his hand over his
eyes, a great weakness assailing him.
Mary was staring hard at Adams
companion, a tall man In storm hat and
coat.
"And John" she cried, amaEed. John
Payson."
At that instant the two men turned,
as II so ordered by some strange, COM
polling force, and looked squarely at
the spot where the Midthornes stood.
" CHAPTER XVII.
A BEGGAR COMES KNOCKING.