The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-03-22
CHAPTER XIV
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Norman slapped shut the ,abin
trap. Ashore men were running. Nor
man drove the bow deliberately and
desperately against the high splitting
wash of the beach. he was risking
his fathers boat. But why not?
Whose boat was she now, Gustaf's
or his? She was 4 great little boat,
wasn't She? Well built Brave De
pendable. Handle her properly, what
wouldn't she do? What hadn't she
done for GuStaf? For Gustaf? All,
bur she was his sons boat now. She
would do as much for him. Ten sail
ors ten sailors and Doctor
Mccarthy depended on him he drove
the boat cruelty.
A boat could be mended.
Forty yards from the beach Nor
man made out the forms of men
running with q line into the surf
He screwed together his eyes that
were blue as his fathers ad been.
He watched Captain Stocking, his far
red face twisted into astounding con
tours. his mouth like a cavern
He watched James Delong, bare
headed, hauling with the surfmen-
He watched Sue Stocking thrash In
to the waves with the men, and Julie
Richaud, up TO her knees in water,
fists TO her cheeks, immovable as the
light tower itself, staring straight al
him in an ecstacy of terror.
So Julie had come? Come TO pay
a Sunday visit in spite of what Cap
tain Stocking had said? He would
convince her this time Make her stay!
The fishing boat flung atop the last
of the breakers. II scraped against
bottom with an impact that threat
ened TO tear Norman's head from his
shoulders and his heart from his
chest.
Traps to the cabin slapped of. The
sailors from the Admiral Burkett
tumbled up 10 the deck in agonized
attitudes of horror, hurt and dismay.
The dog leaped out first among them.
He plunged overheard and started
swimming to shore just as Parish
staggered through the side of a tipsy
wave. The captain flung the line from
his shoulders. 1t landed with thud
on the deck. A sailor grabbed Ii and
made il fast TO cleat.
'Wade in" Norman shouted TO Nc
earthly.
Norman, watching him 60, felt the
boat tip under foot An unsupported
roller struck him from behind and
wrenehing loose his grip. swept him
overheard. The wet line streaked
above him He grasped it, tugged.
swallowed sand anu water, heard an
enormous roaring as of innumerable
field pieces, breathed air once more.
and was dragged to land.
1t was Julie who was talking in
his ear, saying sweet, silly things.
Why was be so tired? Why was Julie
here? He opened his eyes. Why was
James belong toting him on his
back?
They reached the lighthouse.
"rll call Eou, Julie" Delong said
Just minute =. want to rub
him down.
Here's a sailor he has q
broken arm" that was Sues voice.
And, father, Norman brought In ten
men ~
And dog" Captain Stocking
added.
a dog?" Sue cried.
Norman relaxed. A dog? What of
It?
Whose dog?" Sue demanded.
ships dog" Samuel Stocking an
swered.
Norman shook his head.
NO" he contradieted. THAT ships
broken up. It's my dog now"
belongs fingers felt like iron
pinching the flesh on his back.
THAT'S enough" the lawyer cried.
have you in bed in a minute. Here.
take some of this warm you
up"
II burned his throat, whatever II
was. Languidly he closed his eyes.
Outside the wind booted Norman
heard ii peacefully. Wind? IL rocked
fellow to sleep, that wind And
he used TO fear il? No, he couldn't
have feared wind. he loved it, just
as his father did.
I'm coming in :"
jules voice. Her eager, warm lit
tie voicei Norman sat up feebly. He
remembered at last Today was Sun
day, the equinoxial. The keeper had
not wanted visitors.
Julie he whispered, Julie, come
here minute"
She came with q rush. But why
was she crying? What was there TO
cry about? Or was that just jules
way? Cry $3.50. why, she would
cry or laugh. one of the two. every
ten minutes. or else she'd die. That
was all right Wasn't be half
Frenchie himself7 He patted her
hand
'-Give me my best suit" he babe
In a husky whisper, "in that closet
there My uniform. That's ii. Thanks
And Julie, when | come out | want
to tell you something"
He fumbied into his clothes No
time TO be In bed, on Sunday. with
Julie Richaud visiting the light. He
walked unsteadily into the kitchen
Doctor Mccarthy sat By the stove.
his far face blue white.
Il can't thank ycu all AT once.
Erickson"
Norman grinned. That's nothing
Here's coffee. Norman" Julie said.
! Thanks" he answered.