The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-03-07
CHAPTER XVI

Mark plunged into the green
eombers, moving with great, DASH
ing strokes out toward the open sea.
He rose and fell with the rise and
fall Of the waters: riding high up
On the crest, and sliding smoothly
into the trough. He reveled in his
strength. in the cool, salty feel Of
the sea, in the swift slurring Of
waters past his face. Far out he
paused. looking back ct the remote
beach.
vanya was standing on tiptoe at
the very edge Of the surf, her up
raised arm glistening in the sun. A
faint cry drifted thin and elusive
on the wind.
"Mark! Marki Come back!"
He turned and raced back through
the great rollers. Now the waves
came from behind: they lifted him
high up for moment, carried him
on, and then slid rapidly away to-
ward the white beach. He plunged
on. slipping through the water -
smoothly % an otter.
In the surf he dropped his feet,
found bottom, and ran in toward
vanys, standing knee-deep in the
water. Her face was white, trou-
bled; he thought he saw the fash
Of tears.
"What's the matter? What's
wrong?" he cried, a. he emerged
dripping. The girl ran to meet him,
and, regardless Of the nonchalant
Loring IN the distance. threw her.
self into his arms.
What happened3" hs repeated.
"You went out 20 far!" she
choked. II could hardly zee you.
Every wave hid your head. and I
couldn't see i until the next one. "
"Good Lord, girl!"' be exclaimed.
Us that al? ] can swiml"
II know it-now," she said,
throwing back her head and smiling
up 1t him. 1--WE never seen any.
thing more beautiful. more grace.
full Il WAS thrilling until-until I
began to get frightened"
They waded back 70 the warmth
and dryness Of the beach. rounding
the curve. and seating themselves
On the bole Of the giant windfall.
"were you really 20 worried1" be
asked.
.M y! Do you think I lied that
"whsn you said you loved met
No."
1--WE never lied g JON. I wish
you'd believe that, but I suppose
you couldn't. and still be-"
"And still b WHAT"
sAnd still b Mark Talbot I
knew Jon doubt the story ] told
you, but IT, true"
III could believe that" he said
0ercely, III could believe that
and also that you've held nothing
back-not even this thing could
stand mo backl"
mot even what thing, Mark
~Your acceptance Of that damna-
BE proposition ] made you'll That
speen for itself. doesn't 1T"
"Nark-w
"Don't make Il worse By explsna-
lions. vanysl Didn't you know !
offered that o . test? I'd have seen
you into America oil the more gladly
had you refusedl"
Good Heaven, Mark, but you're
erusl sometimes, /" she naurmursd %
che dropped to tho sand.
The voices Of shouting men greet
Cd them o they approached the bay.
i strange vessel lay st anchor u
the curve Of the inlet,
An 0yyza
ssWhat . climste!" muttered
Marx, mopping his streaming fore
head. "Al Il needs 10 . few devils
Nth pitchforks. blowing up the
sEvsrything's here but the pitch
forks, than" agreeo Loring, goxinN
around tho beT.room, and pounding
Sic half drained glass % the table.
There ore the devils" 6e indicated
the crew o. the pearler Carolixs,
fresh from The islands that named
her, Who at IN the humid. smoke.
oiled, airloss room
Its . burning sheme,s said
4 S; 81: l ss: :ae'ss tA''' girls = work
sSThose eirls3 You mean Vanya. =
sof eourse I mean yauyal Thu
others can steam theneeJve0 uko
elnms tor al so1 nno.s He otasok
\ uoodily o vanys's ee-peefegnag0
now oaeb dttjn6 q . tabls Witb IL