The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-01-15
CHAPTER XIX.

"Gee! ne grunted frankly, WHICH,
after a toilsome progress from the
boat, Rose at length slipped from the
seat formed by the ciasped hands OF
the two men. And 1t was me who |
suggested this!"
The girl responded with quiet
laugh Of the most natural effect mag |
inable-until 1t ended in sigh, and
without the least warning she crum-
pied upon herself. and would have
| fallen heavily, in a dead faint, but for
| Alan's Quickness.
| Good Lord!" Barcus exclaimed, az
Alan gently lowered the inert body OF
the girl to the sands. And to think
l didn't understand she was so nearly
all in-chafting her like that! I'd like
to kick myself"
Don't be impatient" Alan advised
grimly; I'm busy just at present, but
|. Meantime, you might fetcn
some water to revive her"
1t was an order by no means easy
to fill; Barcus had only his cupped
hands for 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 the
trance-like slumbers of exhaustion into
which she passed from her fainting
fit.
In the end Alan gave up the efforts
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! 1t would be kinder
to let her rest, at least until l 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. It's
not far-not more than quarter of
/ mile. And she'll be safe enough here.
in your care, the little time I'm gone"
Barcus nodded. His face was drawn
1. 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
7. cottage of the lightkeeper when he
D paused, struck by sight Of what till
then had been hidden from him.
The promontory, he found, formed
g the eastern extremity Of wide-armed
] IL 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 mile on, long-legged
S 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
IL haps two hundred dwellings.
y Nor was this ali-even as Alan hove
il in view of the village he heard series
II of staccato snorts, the harsh tolling o.
4 ! brazen bell, the rumble of trair
II he saw it's jewel-string OF lights flasf
\ athwart the landscape and vanish a.
n its noise died away diminuendo.
II Where one train ran another must
n He need only now secure something
H to revive Rose, help her somehow VI
ii the beach, and in another hour or two
q of certainty, they would be speed
Il ing northwards, up the cape, towart
Il Boston and the land of law and order
n Such thoughts as these, at least
/ made up the texture of his hopes; tn,
a outcome proved them somewhat to-
n presumptuous. He logged down
1 quiet village street and into the rail
n road station just as the agent was clos
ing up for the night.
II A surly citizen, this agent, ill-please,
to have his plans disordered by chance
II flung strangers. He greeted Alan
II breathless query with grunt of In
y grained churlishness.
"Nah," he averred, they amt n
more trains till mornin'. Can't y Sc
L III Suulllu up'
But surely there must be a tele
ut graph station"
lie You bet your life they is--righ
p here in this depot. An I'm shuttin' |
ty UP, too"
Iy HAS the operator gone for tn
n night?"
Hes going. I'm the op'rator. n
re business transacted after Office hours
tn Call raound at eight o'clock tomol
ID row mornin'. Now If you'll jest ste
I'd out of that door. I'll say g'd-night t
er YOU"
to But must send telegram" Ala
protested. 81 tell You, / must. It
tn a matter of life and DEATH"
lie Sure, young Teller. 1t always is
after business hours"
r. Wont you open up again"
81 tell you, mol"
h. In desperation Alan rammed a han
into his trousers pocket. "Will do
le lar influence your better judgment?
ne he suggested shrewdly.
to Lets see your dollar" the other n
I'd turned with no less craft--open II
credulity informing his countenanc.
rk And, surely enough, Alan brough
to forth an empty hand.
We Make light" he said sharply. IN
i'd moneys in a belt round my wais
l." Open your office. You'll get your do
TT lar, all right"