The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-07-13

make no more trouble Come, we wi
divide biscuit between us, and the
1t will be your turn to lie down."
but doesn't McCann have any?"
HE has had more than his share q
ready. I'll offer him q swallow of W,
ter-that's oil. I imagine the way h
head feels, he has forgotten oil abo,
being hungry"
You had to strike him?"
"Slightly. a mere tap Of sea disc
pline," and glanced at my knuckle.
He was armed. you know, and coul
take no chances. There Is no harr
done. Come; are you not tired enoug
to rest?'
| She glanced up into my face.
"You will call me at midnight, II
fall asleep"
IF l feel worn out then, and tn
sea keeps as it is, or no worse. There
| take my coat for pillow. No, really
shall not need it.; this is an ideal sum
mer night, but we are out of the tract
of ships"
But do you still believe we will fine
one?"
Il have every faith in the world"
answered heartily, determined to con
ceal my doubts. IF the weather holds
pleasant, we should be far enough
south by morning to be in the north
Atlantic lane between New York and
Liverpool. Lie down, and rest, Miss
Vera; there is no sign of any storm
brewing, and tomorrow you'll probably
have the deck of liner under your
feet"
l know not how much she may have
believed of what said but she smiled
me cheerful goodnight, and Law down
In the bottom of the boat. my coat fold
ed under her head. She rested there
her face Swallowed by one
arm. and very soon her regular breath
Ing convinced me she slept like tired
child. looked at her shadowy figure
then forward to where Mccain hung
silent In the bows.
What II we should not overhaul q
ship? What If some evil fate would
permit of our floating on unseen? And
there were few eatable biscuits left.
and barely cupful of tepid water. The
thought OF what the end might be near
y crazed me. as sat there alone in
he silence and gloom-I could picture
hose final hours Of despair, as we lay
and helpless in the unguided
'oat, the girl mercifully unconscious,
perhaps. and Mccain a gibbering idiot.
dy God! l must stop thinking! II
must be man for her sake; aye, and
etain my self-control. so as to do a
mans work to the end.
At midnight the wind was at its
eight, and l did not call the girl, as |
AIRED not trust her to steer the craft |
trough such rough water. She slept
ndisturbed, not even changing her DO
ltlon, mere dim outline at my feet.
onward Mccain had slowed himself
way beyond the bow thwart, and l
ouid see nothing of him under the
lght OF the sail. was the only one
wake In the leaping boat, fighting its
way through black waters
ader the dull CLEAN Of the stars.
The sun had begun to show above
le horizon before the girl finally
woke. and sat up in the bottom of the
lat, staring about her with wide-open
res. as though startled by the change
the aspect Of the sea. Finally she
ted herself to the nearest thwart
I'd greeted me reproachfully.
You have let ME sleep all night, and
Ing on your coat. You must be tired
arly to DEATH"
Far from it; and we are to be
essed with another day of sunshine.
'rhaps by afternoon the sea will have
ne down, and l can get nap. Are
u ready for breakfast?" e
My explanation did not satisfy her:
Gould read that in the expression of
r face. but she made no further pro-
It.
She drew out the biscuits from the
ker, broke one in two, and handed :.
half to me. Still clinging to the =
:, her glance fell upon the slouching =
lre of Mccain in the bow, and then -
eyes sought my face Questioningly. :,
You are not going to offer him -
vY =. ~
He deserves none; he has already m
more than both Of US together. .,
W many are left?"
Seven fit to eat. But" she hest sl
ed. yet went on bravely enough,
ease, he Is not accustomed to being ~
rived of food. and is really suffer- ~
Let him have my share, for / am q,
at all hungry-truly l am not.
I shall insist on your eating" said n.
ost sternly. "Your share is little
ugh to sustain life. II 1t comes to
hoice between saving you, and that er
cradle thing yonder, my course II fe