Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-12-19
CHAPTER III-Continued

-
What disaster had laid him here
helpless before them?
AS II their questions penetrated his
consciousness, the stranger slowly
opened his eyes.
Sorry to come here like this" be
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 |
was trying to push the boat of. and
something suddenly gave way"
Turning his head aside, he bit his
lip as If In pain.
well 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 II Sylvia AMI
/ guided your
II guess Soft 1t isn't far. I'm alb
surdly dizzy. l don't know why. |
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 a bad way as
all that. l can get up alone" he pro-
tested. only please wait just another
minute. The whole place has suddenly
begun to pitch again like a ship In
midocean. Perhaps l may be faint,
/ haven't eaten anything for a day or
two"
why didn't you tell me? The SOUP,
quick, Sylvia. | only wish l 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 | feel like a baby" fretted the
stranger.
mo matter. We must get some
thing hot inside you right away. DOM
fuss about how it's DONE" said the
predetermined Marcia. There! Yor
look better already! Later you shall
have a real, honest,to goodness meal
Run and call Doctor S~tetson, Sylvia
and open the bed In the room opposit,
mine. You might light the heate
there, too"
AS the girl sped away, Marcia turne,
toward her visitor.
Suppose we try to make the rock
ing chair now. Shall WEI But wha
worries me is your wet clothing. Tr
afraid you'll take your death OF cole
Let me peel off your shoes and sock,
L can do that. And l believe l coul
get you out Of your water-soake
sweater II / we're to cut the sleev,
May | try? We needn't mind wrecl
Ing 1t, for / have another l can Civ
you"
The man did not answer.
Instead, he sat tense and unsmilln,
his penetrating brown eyes fixed 0
Marcia's face. Apparently the scr
tiny crystalized In him some swi
resolution, for after letting his glant
travel about the room to convince hin
self that no one was within hearin
he leaned forward:
There is something else I'd rath,
you did for me first" he whlspere
dropping his voice until 1t became q
most inaudlble. "rve a package hel
] wish you'd take charge of. It's 4
side my shirt. But for this intern
wrist, ! could reach It."
"Ill get It,"
I'D rather you didn't talk about II
continued he. hurriedly. Just put
In a safe place. VIII you, please?'
Certainly"
Puzzled, but unquestionlng, Marc
thrust her hand beneath his sodd'
clothing and drew forth a small, fl
box, wrapped In a b%edraggled handkt
chief.
IF you'll look out for 1t, I'll
tremendously obliged"
"Of course ! WILL" smiled Marc
Look Here is my pet hlding-pla'
This brick In the hearth Is loose a
under 1t is. plenty of space for Il
small box. I'll tuck 1t in there. il