The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1921-06-30
TRUST A YANKEE
BY MYRA A. wlNeATE.
100000 SSSSSeSSSge


Dan had been reSolute.
I'm a country BOY. Cath" he had
said. The city has men enough. Don't
urge me to go. I've a plan for build
ing up canning business here. Ev-
cry fellow ought TO put something in
10 his own town. The building site
is mine already. and by next year l
can begin in "a small way. Let's do
IL together"
Here the quarrel had begun. Cath
crime could not bear that people should
say her Dan was lacking in ambition.
1t had ended by her saying:
Il will never marry you so long as
YOU stay in this town"
Dan had caught her hand when she
would have removed the ring
Take time to think it over. Cath.
l shall take the assistant keepers
place at the light during his vacation.
You won't see me for a month"
The girl moved restlessly, as If to
shake Off troublesome memories, and
stepped from the shelter of the rocks
out upon the headland, from which
was visible the great, brilliant eye in
the lighthouse tower, mile beyond
the harbOr entrance. Braced against
the storm wind. she gazed seward.
The light-a stationary one-waS
winking and flashing in Il manner to
attract notice. After bewildered
moment ii came to her that the winks
and flashes were a clumsy adaptation
of the Morse code, as familiar to her
as the printed word, through her daily
work as operator.
SOS" she spelled, "SOS," sos"
The wireless distress signal!
She sped down the rocky path to
the house, where her uncle. Captain
Barrett, retired. sat before the fire
place bIissfully anticipating supper.
There's trouble at the light" she
gasped. Possessed of the facts the
captain agreed
Trouble. sure enough. Guess I'll
have To go"
I'm going. too. l can run the Ell
CINE" anuoupced Catherine.
Sure that the trouble was Illness or
accident they stopped on the way to
enlist the young doctors aid. At the
shore, men who were discussing the
unusual behavior of the light offered
help. The captain chose shrewdly.
doctors an able seaman, and
Cath's good engineer. I'll take Jack.
He's tough as the toenails o. Moses"
Drenched and weary, they reached
the lighthouse at last.
Captain Hatch, head keeper, lay
dashed to his bed, his eyes bright with
fever, his mutterings incoherent
Leaving the doctor with him, Cath
crime ran up the winding stairs, Cap
tain Barrett toiling after.
On the first landing, beneath the
light, lay Dana white and exhausted
Dan. only partly dressed, his head
clumsily tied up. and one leg broken
and helpless, though he had tied that
up, too, with makeshift splint.
The head keeper quoted, the doctor
made swift examination and decided
not to set the broken limb until morn
ing. While he deftly bandaged the in
jured head. Dan told his story.
Captain Hatch was taken sick this
noon. with chills." he said. "He
couldn't get warm. He lay down and
| put hot things-fatiron and stove
lidS-arOund him.
This afternoon he grew feverish.
and later went completely out OF his
head and thought l was trying to get
up into the tower to harm the light.
He struck me on the head with a flat
iron. Then we fought and l tied him
down, so L could leave him. to light
the lamp. Coming down the ladder
Inr, .
Ing l got dizzy and fell, breaking my
leg. / tied it up as best l could. Didn't
dare risk going downstairs, but man
aged to crawl back up the ladder with
a spare tin OF Oil"
How'd you make signals?" asked
Captain Barrett
Throwing my coat over the lantern
and Jerking 1t off again. Thought
Cath might see It."
And the flares?"
"Cut Off my trouser legs. soaked
them and my shirt and sweater in oil,
lighted them and threw them up on
the roof" explained Dan.
"Haw. haw, haw!" roared Captain
Barrett. Trust YankeeW
you stop" cried Cathie indignant
ly. He's a hero, and you know it,
Hero " snOrted Dan. Clumsy
idiot. you mean"
Thought you'd gone back on him"
leased her guardian.
I'D marry him this minute II there
was anyone to perform the ceremony"
said the girl hOtly.
I'm not a J. =. for nothing" re-
turned Captain Barrett Brought my
little black book with me, too"
Dan caught her hand.
you Will, won't you. Cath?" he
begged "I've the license. you know.
You are all the folks 1 have Don't
leave me"
81 shall need n nurse here" put I'm
the doctor Cant move my patients
yet"
GATHERINGS eyes were like stars.
Read the service, uncle please"
she said quietly.
"WeI, by the everlastin' clam 2" re-
marked the captain. rs a preliminary.
"You said" reminded Dan. smiling
family. chat you would never marry
me so long as ! stayed in Ledgeville."
"And I kept my word laughed the
girl. where are your wits. Danny.
boy? This island belongs to Rock