Putnam patriot., 1916-08-25
CHAPTER XIV.
'Fs' -'A |NI The Fruit of the Tempest.

tAIiAs II SttlGu. and were nowhere out in the storm. X wilder lay would he hard 10 imagine: hurri- me was raging. the rain was whirled ahead of il ike charges of shot The mountains behind Kyal were invisible and te seaward was nothing but a dim y discernible smother of foam and spray. for the erests of the breakers were snatehed up and carried by the wind. The town was sodden; the streets were running mud. Stovepipes were down, tents lay fiattened in the mire, and the board houses were shak- ing as if they might fly to pieces at any moment The darkness was uncanny, and the tempest seemed to be steadily growing in violence.
 When an hour or two had passed with no word from the men Eliza an nOuneed her intention of looking them up She had spent the time at a win dow, straining her eyes through the welter, while Natalie had curled up eozilY with a book ill one of Trevor's armchairs.
 But. dearie, you'll be drenched." Natalie looked up in surprise. "Mr. O'Neil is all right"
 "Of course he is. I'm not going out to seold him and bring him in. I want to look at the storm"
 "So do l, but it won't do any good. I can't make it blow any harder by get ting lay feet wet"
 You read your novel and talk to Alr Trevor when he comes back He knows we're to blame for this storm. SD you must be nice to him. l can't. She clad herself in raincoat, sou'wester and boots and hurried out Walking was difficult enough. even in the shelter of the village, but not until she had emerged upon the beach did she meet the full strength of the gale. Here it wrapped her garments about her limbs until she could scarcely move. The rain came horizontally and blinded her. The wind fairly snatched her breath away and oppressed her lungs ike heavy weight She shield el herself as best she could. and by eliuging to stationary objects and watching her chance she managed to work her way onward. Al last she caught sight of 0'Neil standing high above the surf. facing the wind def agtIy as if daring it to unfoot him. He saw her and came in answer to her signal. But to breast that wind was Ike stemming rushing torrent and when he reached her side he was rantins.
 "Child. what are you doing heref" he demanded
 T couldn't wait any longer" she shouted back. You've been out since daylight. You must be wet through"
 He nodded T lay awake all night listening. So did Trevor. He's begin ming to worry already"
 Already? If the breakwater stands this''-
 "The storm hasn't half started. Come. Wen watch it together" He took her hand, and they lunged into the gale, battling their way back to his point of vantage. He paused at length and. with his arm about her. pointed to the milk white chaos which marked Trevors handiwork. The rain pelted against their faces and stream ed from their slickers.
 After a long time he spoke. See. It's coming up," he said.
 She felt no increase fin the wind, but she noted that particles of sand and tiny pebbles from the beach were fly ing with the salt raindrops. Her mus cleS began to tremble from the con stant effort at resistance, and she was relieved when Murray looked about for place of refuge. She pointed to pile of bridge timbers, but he shook his head.
 They'll go flying if this keeps up. He dragged her into the shelter of a little knoll. Here the blasts struck them with diminished force, the roar ing in their ears grew less, and the la bOr of breathing was easier
 High up beyond reach of the surf n dory had been dragged and left bottom up Under this the wind found a fin ger hold and sent it flying.
 Even where the man and the woman crouched the wind harried them like a hound pack, but by clinging to the branches of a gnarled juniper bush they held their position and let the spray whine over their heads.
 Farther west I've seen houses chain ed to the earth with ships cables,' he shouted in her ear ITO think or building a harbor in a place like this!
 T prayed for yea Iast night. l pray ed for the wind to come" said the girl after a time
 O'Neil looked at her, curiously star tied; then he looked out at the sea once more. All in a moment hS real ized that Eliza was beautiful and that she had a h~.rt. IL seemed wonder ful that she should be interested in his fortunes. He was lonely man. Beneath his open friendlipess lay deep reserve. A curiously warm feel is of gratitude famed through him how, and he silently blessed her for learins him company in the deciding tear of his life
 Noon came, and still the two crouch ei in their half shelter drenehed, chill ea- stiff with exposure. watching kyak Lay lash itself into a boiling spoth- CT, The light grew dim; night was settling The air seemed full Of screaming furies. Then O'Neil noticed bits of driftwood racing in upon the tlllows. and he rose with a loud cry.
 Its breaking upr' he shouted. "lts breaking up.-'
 Eliza lifted herself and chung to him, but she could see nothing except 1 misty confusion. In few moments - a-atsam came thicker. Splintered