Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-07

Feathers knew instinctively what
nad happened. He vaulted the low
railing and ran across the sands, tear.
ing on his coat as he went.
lie Kicked off his shoes Mt the water q
edge, and dashed into the sea, wading
until the depths took him off his feet,
anu then swimming strongly.
boat was circling round and round
helplessly some way beyond the diving
BOARD. A youth in a wet bathing suit,
white as a ghost and shivering with
fright, was bending low over Its bow,
searching the smooth water with ter
rihed eyes: when he caught sight Of
feathers he broke into asonized words |:
Feathers! For Gods sake She's
gone! Mrs. Lawless She screamed
and tried to get to her I
was too late, and she went down
1t must have been cramp---
she was all right moment before
Oh, for Gods sake!"
He dived from the boat for his
friends side, but Feathers shook him
off.
"Get away you fool! Can't
you see you're hampering me?"
lie dived again and again, desper-
ately swimming under water in q vain
search for the drowning girl.
Young Atkins had clambercd back to
the boat. He sat there in the hot sun
shine, his face in his hands, sobbing
like woman.
lie felt that It was all his fault. He
knew he could never be able to face
Chris again. Over and over in his mind
rang the tragic words: "And she was
only married yesterday. Only married
yesterday"
At that moment he would gladly have
given bis life for hers. He felt that he
would not go on living II she had gone.
And then sudden wild shout went
up from the crowds on the beach. Young
AtElnS looked lup, not daring to hope,
ana there in the sea, only a few yards
from the boat, the rough dark head Of
Feathers appeared above the smooth
water. swimming strongly with one arm
anu supporting small, helpless object
with the other.
He seemed to have forgotten the boat.
Tor he made straight for the shore, and
though eager men waded out to his help.
and dozen pairs of arms were
stretched out to take his burden from
him. he shook his head and held her
jealously.
Beauty and the beast :" some one
whispered as the tall, ugly man waded
ashore with the girls limp body in his
arms.
Perhaps he heard, for at any rate a
faint, grim smile crossed his dark face
as he laid her down on the warm sands.
ihere was doctor among the crowd,
and little group closed about her,
chaiing her limbs, working her arms up
ana down, frantically trying to beat
life back into the inert little body.
Feathers stood by. breathing hard,
the water dripping from him.
lie kept his eyes fixed on Marie's
deathly face.
A woman in the crowd began to cry,
Poor child Poor child! - For Marie
Celeste looked only a child as she Law
there, her wet hair tumbled all around
her.
Its too late, she's gone" some one
else said, hopelessly, and Feathers
turned like lion.
Its not too late" he thundercd.
lie went down on his knees beside her.
exhausted as he was. and worked like a
giant to save her, and all the time he
was wondering what Chris would do.
What Chris would say, and if he would
be expected to break the news to him.
And then, after long time, n little
she'll like tinge Of color crept back "a
the marble whiteness Of Marie's face
the doctor gave little exclamation.
and went on with his work harder than
before.
Feathers asked him harsh question
Can we save herr"
Il think so-yes. ."
Each moment seemed an eternity,
until. with labored. choking breaths
ana little gasping cries, Marie strug-
gled back to life and the golden sum
mer morning.
Feathers rose to his feet. "I'll 20 on
and tell her husband. You re sure she's
out Of danger?"
The doctor smiled. well pleased.
oh, she's all right now He
Turned to the stretcher upon which they |
had laid the girl, and Feathers started
20 walk away, but the crowd would not |
nave this. They surged round him. |
slapping him on the back and cheering
him to the echo. They were only too !
eager and willing to give praise where |
Z wqs due. and at last. in desperation.
Feathers broke into a run and eluded |
them.
He went into the hotel across the gar.
len, and through a side door, his drip.
ping clothes leaving little wet marks
all the way. He met one of the porters
n the passage. The man stopped with
gasp Of dismay.
Good heavens, sir! Has there been
IN accident?"
Yes, one of the ladies here, a Mrs
1awless. but she's all right now. Can
'ou md her husband for me? He's
PROBABLY In the writing room. Do you
"Oh. yes. sir. but "
. We'll, clear off and fetch him. then
m all right-don't make a fuss.
.heS re bringing her here. Hurry,
fie was back in moment with Chris.
ooking greatly mystified and not at
Il upset. for the porter had been afraid
o tell him the truth Of what had ham
cncd, and had merely said he was
wanted.
Feathers explained in a few words.
Mrs. Lawless got out of her depths
r got cramp, or something, but she's
u right. She had a nasty scare. though,
long"
Chris went dreadfully white. He
lutched his friends arm. You're not
wing to me-" he said, hoarsely shes
ot-dead :"
Feathers laughed. Good lord. man.
10 tell you it's all right. She got
bit Of n ducking. She's probably
ack in the hotel by this time; you'd
ctter go and see for yourself. "
But Chris had gone before he had fin.
shed speaking, and Feathers crept
way up to his room and peeled off his
odden clothes.
He felt very exhausted now II was
II over. II had been ghastly five min |