Evening star., 1939-07-02

some day, he SAID quietly. But even llei
it is | who will decide who to beat, Regina
and when, and why"
She cried furiously: GO home to Mama
Sullivan, You are afraid of Auguste"
Next morning saw Perce blanketed with
fog, thick and white as snow. Pierre had made
his boat spick and span He would have many
passengers today, but he had enough life belts
to carry twenty one passengers and still keeE
one for himself
Nevertheless, the fog made Pierre uneasy
he dreaded the trip. Yet he was committed
He had to 60.
There were fourteen in the party which
presently arrived, women of varying ages ir
smocks and overalls and more conventional
garments; bride and groom. two boys O
fifteen or sixteen. The women we're burdenec
with camp stools and lunch boxes and vacuum.
bottles and knitting bags. Mr., Patterson him
self would meet them on the island, where HI
had cottage Pierre started his motor anS|
got under way the shore behind them dis.
appeared.
His boat was still family in sight whef
Regina came running along the beach. Sh'
had slept late, and woke to see the fog ant
she thought Pierre would lose himself in tina
fog. She hurried into her clothes and ran tt,
catch him. to 60 with him. to help him finf'1
the way. Her anger of the night before wa!
forgotten in ner desire to help him now.
But she was too late. She hailed his dis
appearing boat but the noise of the exhaus
drowned her cries and he was gone.
Then Auguste spoke at her elbow; and shl
appealed to him. "Auguste. take me quick t(
overtake Pierre
Auguste shook his head. Il have part,
to 60 fishing | am engaged Regina. -. L
Pierre wanted you would he not waltz"
He'll get lost in the fog" she protested
He'll hit some rock and sink"
Auguste chuckled so much the better! |
will give him chance to use those fine lif, +
preservers" She was furious; but before sh'
could speak his party arrived. six in all
Auguste said to her: You come along Regina
and II put you ashore on the island so youcaI
find your Pierre"
So Regina leaped into the boat; August.
fetched bait, and presently they set out.
But Pierre knew nothing of this. He set hi
course for the island. assuring himself tha
since it was three miles long and no more THAI
three miles off shore, it was an easy mark tt
hit The fog shut them in, and the waite
alongside was greasy and gray. Pierre wa
taut, with jangling nerves.
His boat would need twenty minutes. a
the most. to reach Mr.. Pattersons landing
halfway down the length of BonaventureH =
Watching for the first shadow of land ahead
Pierre was forever seeing shadows in the fog
but no land appeared. Miss Sanders, Mn
Patterson assistant was sitting aft with him
and presently she looked at her watch an(
asked "Arent we almost there? We've bee
half an hour
Pierre tried to speak confidently. 'Al1
yes, ;" he assured her "A few minutes now"
But few minutes passed, and few more
Pierre's palms were damp with fear He tried
to hide his own concern, but at the end of al
hour half the passengers were standing for
ward, peering ahead into the fog, wondering
what was the matter, looking back at Pierre
doubtfully
Pierre was lost. He thought that the tide
must have set him off his course: but he was
still essentially landsman. and he did no
know whether the tide was flowing north OF
south He might now be past the northern
end of the island headed for Spain; or hd
might be off the southern end, or he might bd