The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-08-18
MOONLIGHT
~ LOUISE OLIVER.

Mrs. Baldridge looked up from her
letter as her brother came in. "Phil.
Up, here is a letter from Tom at last.
I had begun to hope that his silence
was portentous Of something-that he
had been busy with other things. But
II so-he doesn't give any intimation
Of it here. Read it for yourself"
Philip Mercer lighted a cigarette
and held out his hand. Golf, boating
and SO on, Ell? Anything but q girl!
Is that the trouble, sis? l can't see
why you're so blamed anxious to have
him married"
"You are a living example Of what
I don't want him to be. Philip! You
know you need an anchor, Philip.
You are merely a nonentity floating
around this way and never getting
anywhere. Oh! Forgive me, Phil!
I'm SO sorry! I thought-you see-l
didn't know. 1t was all so long ago
I thought it was over" She laid her
hand contritely on his arm.
The shadow passed from his face
and he patted her hand affectionately.
cts all right, sis, I think myself it's
all over-then something happens to
bring it back. There! I'll love Pau.
line till my. dying day. I can't help
it."
Cheer up, Philip! I'll ring for tea
you need reinforcing"
I've about decided to go to Sum-
mer Beach myself and If you like.
I'll undertake to be q matrimonial
guide for your son."
1t was late in the season for Sum-
mer Beach. But enough of gayety
remained at the great hotel to fill the
quiet moonlight night with sounds OF
laughter and music.
Two men, Philip Mercer and his
nephew, Tom Baldridge, had dinner
on the terrace. The smoke from their
cigars was waited acros the terrace
to another table, at which a girl and
an older man were finishing their des-
sert. The girl turned and Philip Mer.
Ger caught her glance. A startled
glance It was, for he was on his feet
in an instant staring al though he
had seen a ghost. Then, seeing her
amaEement, he sank back to his chair.
THAT girl, Tom-who is she?"
Patricia Talbot"
"Is her mother here?"
Il don't know anything about them.
I met her on the beach and only
talked. with her for a little while"
"She is beautiful! And she is the
image of some one I used to know. ]
don't know the name of the man she
married. The family took her to
japan, where she met an American
q lieutenant in the navy-and mar
ried him. l never knew his name. 1t
may have been Talbot"
Philips face had gone gray. He got
up. Il think I'll walk on the beach
alone, Tom. I've q headache and don't
feel like talking"
The beach,. hard as q stone where
the tide had receded, showed white
and glistening in the moonlight. Philip
strobe along the edge Of the water.
not hearing its soft lap. regardless OF
time and distance.
He came to tho delta Of q small:
river. He kept on until the stream
divided-and in the embrace OF the
two arms was a small green island
and on the island-a house.
Then he heard the pumping of q
motor in the distance-from the direc'
ton he had come-a boat coming up
stream from the sea.
The sound grew louder, and soon
through the trees Philip saw a tiny
launch hung with lanterns. Two peo'
ple were in 1t, Q man and q girl, Tom
and Patricia!
But before he had quite recovered
from his surprise something happened
the unexpected, Of course. A crash
like a hundred guns tore the quiet
highland there was q flash Of flame.
It took only an instant for him to
kick off his white shoes and dive TITO
the water. He found Tom farst-per.
fectly whole so far as he could tell.
but unconscious-and got him to
shore. He dived twice for Patricia
before he found her caught in the
wreckage at the bottom.
The noise had brought two servants
running from the house and a woman
In white followed swiftly. Patricia!
Patricia, dear. where are you? Oh.
what has happened? Patricia"
Philips Heart, hammering from his
exertions, almost stopped beating. He
knew that voice. He went over to her
and took her hand in his wet n
"There has been an accident" he
said simply, "but I think your daugh'
ter and her escort will soon be al!
right. The tank blew up, but It must
have been almost empty-or-or-'
The woman's eyes grew wide
"Philip!" she cried. Philip Mercer!
TO have you here now to save Pa.
tricia's life! I can't believe It" She
icaught his hand in both hers for an
instant, then few to the girl on the
ground.
Mother" murmured Patricia sleep
lfly. And Just them Tom sat up.
We'll get them to the house and
ito bed. Philip! Thank God you were
Anear!!"
"Amen!" agreed Philip.
cts odd how things happen" said