The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-30

swamped, failed to notice the other
launch which ran under the lee Of the
lighthouse barely ten minutes after
their departure Out of it scrambled
Mahlin and Satsuma Clamberfng up
the rocky footpath, they reached the
keepers modest dwelling. Night had
fallen and from the summit of the
white tower which rose above them a
great beam of light stabbed the dark
ness at recUrrent intervals. The keep
er answered Mahlin's knock and in
vited them inside, for the bowling Of
the wind made conversation outside
almost impossible.
Can you tell me where I can find
a Mr.. FitZmaurice?' inquired Mahlin.
They told me at the Offices OF the
coast survey that he was at work
over here making some maps or some
thing"
''Fitzmaurice seems to've become
might popular all OF a sudden re-
marked the keeper. You're the sec
ond party in half an hour that's been
after him. He amt here, though. He
left this morning for Middle island"
Has Lieutenant Hope been here
looking for him?' hazarded Mahlin.
That's the name he gave said the
keeper
And he's gone over to Middle is
land?"
He has, though I did my best to
discourage him It's lucky for them
they've got this light to guide them.
Without it, on such a night as this,
-,
lion"
well, I'm not going to risk it, said
MahIin- That's certain. But I'm
afraid you'll have to put US up for the
night. III be glad to pay you for your
trouble"
I'm afraid can't make you very
comfortable" said the keeper, but
I'll give you the best I've got 1 have
to be up all night tending the light,
so you can take my bed, and your
friend there can sleep in my assist
ants room, and I'll fix up bunk for
your bOatman in the storeroom-
You're not alone here, are your
inquired Mahlin-
Il am tonight" was the answer.
I've got an assistant, but he's been
feeling poorly Of late so he went over
to the city on the tender this morning
to see a doctor Now, just make
yourselves at home, please I've got
to go up to the light for a few min
utes. With such a gale as this blow
| ing we can't take any chances OF any
thing going wrong with the light
there are too many lives dependent
on it"
But not on that night, nor for many
nights thereafter, did Keeper James
Fairweather ascend the winding stairs
leading to the great light which, far
above them, sent its guiding rays out
over the angry waters, for, as he
turned to leave the room. a terrific
blow descended on his skull and he
knew nothing more.
Now, Satsuma," called Mahiin,
dragging the keepers limp body away
from the door which led to the tower,
out with the light. That young pup
Of naval officer won't feel so blamed
uppish when he finds himself and his
lady friend drifting on the rocks and
no light to steer by"
Before he had left the lighthouse
half a mile behind, Hope was bitterly
reproaching himself for his fOoIhardi-
ness in attempting to make the cross
| ing to Middle island, for the wind had
risen until it was sister TO a cyclone
and they had all that they could do
/ to keep the little launch, already part
| " filed with water, from being cap
| sized by the mighty cOmbers which
broke over it But they struggled dog
| gedly On, knowing that they need have
no fear Of rocks so long as they kept
| squarely astern the light which wink
| ed so encouragingIy at them from
| Southeast island
Suddenly Morissey gave a cry OF
alarm The light, sir" he gasped-
It's gone out"
He was right: the Iife-saTing beacon
had been suddenly extinguished- In
vain they searched the darkness for it.
/ 1t did not reappear And, with neil
ther light nor compass to guide them,
Hope knew that they were helpless
and at the mercy Of the storm
at that moment. from somewhere
/ to the eastward Of them, a sudden
fiery glow, incredibly dazzling. nIumi-
mated, for brief moment, angry sea
and inky sky, and to their ears came,
an instant later, a crash like an ex-
pIoding powder mill The Sea Hawk
had found the floating mineI
(TO BE CONTINUEDl