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boat and search for her,’’ he cried hoarsely.
WILD MARGARET, 168
top, half a-sitting and half a-lying. I did think as I'd get
up and go to her, but I’d warned herin the morning, this
very blessed morning; and the missus come and called me
in to tea, and—and bla’-me if I didn’t forget her.”’
‘*Oh, she’s lost! Shbe’s drownded, as sure as a gun!
“Well, sakes a mercy, but it’s a pity.”
_ “We've all got to die,’’ remarked aman philosophically ; .
“and most on us dies by drownding; but then we’re used
to it, which makes all the difference.”’ oo .
_ Austin Ambrose pushed his way into their midst, start-
ling them not a little. ~- po oo,
“Of whom are you talking?” he demanded, and his voice
sounded harsh and stern. wh
The old man touched his forehead and puffed at his pipe. |
“Tt’s the poor young lady up at Mrs, Day’s, your
honor,’’ he said; ‘“she’ve been and - got washed off the
Long Rock——”” .
Austin Ambrose put his hand up with a strange gesture,
as if to stop him, and his face grew livid.
ee he cried hoarsely. ‘You say—oh, impossi-
e!”- .
The old man shook his head. ya
7 ‘It’s the possiblest thing as can be,” he said grimly.
Seed her there myself, and I thought she’d gone to lool
at the tide, I never thought as she’d stop there after the
warning I give her. I told her about the lady and gentle-
men as was lost there two year agone,”’ he. added to the
others, , . .
Austin Ambrose rushed out to the rocks and stared be-
fore him like a man dazed. Then he sprung to his feet. ., .;
“Dil give any man twenty pounds who will launch a
There was a profound silence. Then the old fisherman
said grimly: : ar
“ Twenty pun ain’t much for a man’s life, your honor.
‘I will give fifty—a hundred!” he cried desperately...
ke “Bless your honor’s heart,” said the old man slowly,
No boat could live in this—that is, near the beach—it
mightin the open! It’s to be hoped it will, for Day’s out,”’
he said significantly. ‘No, your honor, a thousand
pounds wouldn't tempt us: besides, it’s too late! too late!
he poor lady is drifting out to the sands, and the last’s
€en seen of her or ever will be seen on this earth!
Austin Ambrose uttered a ery, an awful cry. They
who heard it thought that it was that of sorrowing friend
or relative; but the cry was one of pity for himself and
all his shattered hopes.’ After all his cleverness, his deep-
laid schemes and restless toil, he had been foiled—and by.
€ woman'he had fooled and deceived!