The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-11

Rut at last off to starboard and we'll
 astern in our new position. riding at
 anchor we raised a faint white line of
 broken water which seemed a constant feature and now and then caught the low boom of the surf.
 ''She ain't a half mile over wonder" heard Willy, the deck hand, say. An we could almost walk it if it wasn't for the sea"
 "Yes, sir.'' said Williams, ''we'd do fine in there now with them boats. When we hit the white water
 "Shut up!" ordered Peterson. Safe as a church here or there, you lubbers. Stand by your tackle and keep your chin. MT. Harry, tell the ladies just to wrap up bit because-well, maybe beca ause''-
 "Cau me when it is time, Peterson said I, and moved aft, holding Jean Lafitte by the arm.
 "Geer' said he as. he dropped, wet and out of breath, into the cabin. And sGeep'p remarked a very pale L'Olon- nois in return, gamely as he could And Mrs. Danivers means went rhythmic with the pound of the keel on the shoal.
 what shall we do?" asked Helena at last calmly. "Auntie is very sick. [. am beginning to fear for her, 1t IS such, a bad attack. This is as rough as I ever saw 1t on the channel."
 "There is no danger said I, but Peterson and just thought that if she kept on pounding in this way 1t raight be better to go ashore
 I spoke lightly, but we'll enough I knew the risk of. trying to launch boat in such sea, and what the surf 75ajerI1f s1aes r.f5rla coI1ld say
 Silently I notioned to Willy, the deck hand, to bring me the life preservers. tsPut them en-" said to Helena
 "Oh, I can't! I can'tr' moaned the older woman. I'm dying-let me
 'sStop this nonsense, madam said I sternly,r knowing that was the only way. Put it on at once. Yous too, Miss Emory and you, my boys. Quick! Ther throw on loose. wraps-aH you can. It will be cold
 Tn spite Of all my efforts to seem calm the air of panic ran swiftly. Mrs. 4 Daniver awoke to swift action as she tremblingly fastened the belt about her. Pushing past me- she reached the deck, and so mad was she that in all likei- hood. she would have sprung overheard. I caught at her, and thongh my clutch brought away little more than a hand ful of false hair it seemed to. restore her reason, though it destroyed her cofffure Enough of ttis.' cried to her. "Take your. place by the boat and do as you are told. And saw Hel- ena pass forward, also. as we all reach ed the deck. herself pale as wrath, but with no outcry and no spoken word. So at last I ranged them all near the boat that swung ready at the davits
 We can't all get in that said Jean Laitte
 : s.No,'' said I, and T did not like to look at the tiny dinghy which lay on the cabin top. squat and tublike, or the small ducking skif that here on deck was half full of water from the break ing seas. ; Peterson" said I, take charge of the big boat here. Take Williams to run her motor for you. And the ladies will go with you. "
 I turned to thei two boys, and my heart leaped in pride for them both, for when I notioned to Jimmy to make 1 ready for the large boat, with the la dies, he stepped back, pale as he was. Not unless John goes, too" said he. And they stood side by side, simply l and with no outcry, their young faces grave. 5s
 He must go with us-Jfmmy, broke out Helena yearningly, ''and so must 1 you,
 Shut up. Auntie,,,' exclaimed Jimmy most irreVerently. ..Who's a-running 1 this boat I'd like to know ?'' Which | abashed his auntie very much
 We'll take this one said Jean ! Laf1tte and already was tipping the | duck boat. "It'h carry us three if it i has to- And I allowed him and his 1 mate to stand. by, not daring to look ! at it's inadequate shell and again at the 1 breaking seas.
 That left the dinghy for Willy and the cook. I glanced at Willy. Which | would you rather chance I asked him. the dinghy or the duck boat?"
 1The dinghy" said he quickly, and | we both knew the corklike quality of | this stubby craft
 ''Very we1L,' said l.: AGalI John when the word comes to ego''
 Aren't you going with us?'' asked l Helena now, suddenly. approaching me. l took one long look into her eyes, then Obey orders was all said and pointed. to the larger boat. I said f goodby 10 her then. And, in the swift l intuitixe Justice that comes to us in moments of extremity. I passed sen fence upon these young boys and my self. Though they had sinned in inno- | cence, though I had sinned in love, it had been our folly that had brought l these others into this peril. and our | chance must be the least. Peterson | and Williams would be a better team | in the big boat than any other we | could afford. I saw Peterson step to- | ward us and divined what was in his l mind. I'm owner of this boat, my ! man, said I. .t'Go to your duty. I You're needed in the big boat
 I'm last to leave her. whispered | the old man. She's my. boat and I've l run her'
 Peterson said I. taking him aside.