Evening star., 1915-03-07
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR MARCH Z. 1915

he the lad fairly in his grasp than he felt
himself locked in a stranging embrace Des-
peratey he tore off one deadly arm: only to
feel himself caught in a still more frantic
clutch, this time with his own arms pinned
helpless at his sides.
Then Southwick went into a furry like a
dying whale, threshing the water with his
unpinioned legs, wriggling, twisting, heav-
ing, till every muscle cracked. The deadly
ness began to steal over him. He relaxed
his efforts. Locked in each others arms, the
pair of them were slowly sinking.
At that a perfect fury of unwillingness
came upon him. Lift his arms he could not;
but he could bend his elbows. In the course
of his struggles he had worked his hands be-
tween his own body and that of the crazed
lad until they rested fairly on his shoulders.
Now he thrust him off as far as he could, and
forced one knee upward till he could brace
it against the lads chest. Then with the
vigor of cramped steel spring he straight
ened the knee, throwing himself backward.
Not even the crazed strength of the
drowning can resist that thrust The lad
fell back gasping, the breath fairly squeezed
out of his hattened chest, and Southwick
was free.
Free, but beaten almost to finish! He
had just strength left to grasp the now chok-
ing and harmless young octopus and keep
his head above the surface, while he feebly
trod water and waited for the boat.
When, after an eternity, he felt the boy
drawn from his grasp, and strong arms lifted
his own limp body over the side, he sank
peace unutterable swept over him at the
thought, "And now it's up to them"
ha ho
w anxiety at his heart His notebook!
His story! His inarticulate cry of dismay
brought white capped nurse to his bedside.
She was as dainty as starched linen could
make her, also professionally reassuring and
kind. But to Southwick's excited demands
to be allowed to get up, or to sit up in bed
and scribble, she returned soothing but
none the less stiff denial. The doctor would
be there presently He might prefer his de-
mands to him.
So poor Southwick turned his face to the
Election. His notes lay soaking to pulp
in the pocket of his abandoned coat some
where out on the shattered ice in the Black
well, and he, one quivering composite of
varied aches, in no state SO much as to as
suage the ire of the Sunday editor. He saw
himself turned away from the Eagle staff in
disgrace, and groaned aloud.
After the dim evening lights had replaced
the last gleam of sunshine Southwick started
from an uneasy doze to find two bearded
strangers at his elbow. A curious difficulty
in speaking seemed to embarrass the bigger
of the two. He hemmed and hawed for
awhile, and then managed to get out:
"That was my boy you picked out of the
Blackwell, young man. Thanks to you he's
coming round nicely But l doubt if he
could have held on till the boat came up.
He was utterly exhausted. l can't thank
you properly now, and know ought to go
away and let you sleep. Just give me your
name and address, and we must become
better acquainted later
Out of the depths of an aching lassitude,
Southwick gave the information, and turned
indifferently on his pillow.
The doctor saw the big man to the door
and came back chuckling with card in his
hand He held it up. "You aren't asking
said he, "whose boy it was you pulled out.
Aren't you curious?"
Southwick shook his head. "I'm curious
to know when | can get back to my job he
growled ungratefully
The doctor INDUCED in another unseemly
chuckle. "Yes, your nurse told me you were
fretting about that. l wouldn't, if l were
you, You see, the name on this card is ].
Ellis Champlin." He waited for applause
Southwick stared at him dull-eyed
"WhatS the differ?" he muttered disresnect.