The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-09-27
CHAPTER III-Continued

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What disaster had laid him here
helpless before them?
AS If their questions penetrated his
consciousness, the stranger slowly
opened his eyes.
Sorry to come here like this" he
murmured. "The fog was so thick, /
lost my bearings and my power-boat
ran aground. I've been trying hours
to get her off She's hard and fast on
your sand-bar."
He struggled to rise and Marcia,
kneeling beside him, helped him into
an upright position where he sat, lean
ing against her shoulder.
II seem to have brought In about
half the sea with me-" he apologized,
looking about in vague, half-dazed
fashion.
mo matter. We're used to salt
water here" she answered. "How do
you feel? You're not hurt?"
"Only a little. Nothing much. I've
done something queer to my wrist. l
was trying to push the boat off, and
something suddenly gave way"
Turning his head aside, he bit his
lip as If in pain.
Gwen telephone Doctor Stetson.
Meanwhile, you mustn't remain in
these wet clothes. There is no surer
way of catching cold. Do you think
you could get upstairs if Sylvia AMI
guided you?"
81 guess Soft it isn't far. I'm alb
surdly dizzy. l don't know why. I
suppose, though, l must shed these
wet toys"
"You certainly must. Come, Sylvia,
lend a hand! Well help him up"
"Oh, I'm not in such bad way as
all that. I can get up alone" he pro-
tested. "Only please wait just another
minute. The whole place has suddenly
begun to pitch again like ship in
midocean. Perhaps I may be faint.
1 haven't eaten anything for a day or
two"
"Why didn't you tell me? The soup,
quick, Sylvia. only wish had some
brandy. Well, at least this is hot, and
will warm you up. I'll feed you.
Hand me the cup and spoon, Sylvia"
"But I feel like baby" fretted the
stranger.
"No matter. We must get some
thing hot inside you right away. Don't
fuss about how it's DONE" said the
predetermined Marcia. "There! You
look better already! Later you shall
have a real, honest-to-goodness meal.
Run and call Doctor Stetson, Sylvia,
and open the bed in the room opposite
mine. You might light the heater
there, too"
As the girl sped away, Marcia turned
toward her visitor.
Suppose we try to make the rock
ing chair now. Shall we? But what
worries me is your wet clothing. I'm
afraid you'll take your death of cold.
Let me peel off your shoes and socks.
can do that. And / believe 1 could
get you out of your water-soaked
sweater If I were to cut the sleeve.
May try? We needn't mind wreck
ing 1t, for i have another can give
you"
The man did not answer.
Instead, he sat tense and unsmiling.
his penetrating brown eyes fixed on
Marcia's face. Apparently the scru-
tiny crystalized in him some swift
resolution, for after letting his glance
travel about the room to convince him
self that no one was within hearing,
he leaned forward:
"There is something else I'd rather
you did for me first" he whispered.
dropping his voice until it became al
most inaudible. 'Tye a package here
I wish you'd take charge of. It's In
side my shirt. But for this internal
wrist, / could reach it."
ell get it."
"I'd rather you didn't talk about it."
continued he, hurriedly. "Just put it
in safe place. VIII you, please?'
Certainly"
Puzzled, but unquestioning, Marcia
thrust her hand beneath his sodden
clothing and drew forth small, fiat
box, wrapped in bedraggled handker-
chief.
'If you'll look out for 1t. I'll be
tremendously obliged"
"Of course WILL" smiled Marcia.
"Look! Here is my pet hlding-place.
This brick In the hearth is loose and
under 1t is plenty of space for this
small box. I'll tuck 1t in there. Just