The Argosy, September 1915 — page 70: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

284 shore of the island. He glimpsed her white-clad figure and waved his hand. “Oh!” she gasped. “Trouble?” inquired Sam. “You mustn’t tell him! How shall I explain? What shall I do? I can't ever, ever—” Her tears began to flow afresh. “ Needn’t worry about me telling him anything, ma’am. I’m deaf and dumb—to him.” But—but—” * Rosalind Chalmers was deserted by her cloak of calm disdain. She was in a panic. A sudden change came over the boatman. “Come on, buck up!” he said, cheer- fully. “I’m sorry I made you cry. I take it all back—honest. Just forget it. We'll get out of this easy. Get your nerve now—quick! He'll be here in a couple of minutes. Be a sport, Miss Chalmers! Be a pal; just make believe you're the master mechanic again. Think hard now. We've got to hand him something.” “But he'll think that J—” “No, he won't,’ declared Sam soothingly. “He won’t have time to think anything. That’s it; brace hard, now. I knew you were game.” He actually patted her on the shoul- der. Somehow Rosalind neglected to resent the vulgar familiarity. “Here! IT ve got the scheme!” he exclaimed. “ Only you'll have to spiel it at him because I’m a dummy?’ Now, listen!” CHAPTER XII. TURNING THE TABLES. AM talked rapidly and with many gestures, the latter for the benefit of Reggy Williams in case Reggy might be looking’ up from the landing- place, where he was now making fast his boat. “You went out rowing,” explained Sam hurriedly. “ You rowed up close to my island.” ,—so helpless THE ARGOSY. “But why did I go rowing? I’ve got to know that. I told Mr. Williams I was going up-stairs to take a nap.” ‘Oh, you changed your mind about napping, or you went rowing in your sleep. Anything will do; what’s the difference about why you went? ‘The point is, you went rowing. You're old enough. While you were close to my island you were upset in a sudden squall.” 3 “There hasn’t been a breath of wind to-day!” 3 “Well, cut out the squall, then. You rocked the boat, or did something silly, and fell overboard. You screamed and [—” “You're deaf and dumb? could you hear me scream?” “That’s right. Cut out the scream. I saw you; that'll do. I’m not sup- posed to be blind. I rushed down, got into my boat, went out and rescued you. Then I brought you to the island to recover. How’s. that?” Rosalind looked doubtful. “ He'll be here in a minute,” warned sam. “ Either take that or invent a better one.” “But it makes me sound so foolish !” she protested. ‘“ And he knows I can swim.” “Tell him you forgot how — your skirts tangled you up—anything! ” Rosalind nodded her head reluc- tantly. , ** All—right.” Reggy Williams was now hidden from view at a bend in the path, which he was already ascending. _ Rosalind gasped abruptly. , “My clothes!” she exclaimed. “I fell overboard and—and I’m not even wet!” “Ouch!” cried the boatman. forgot. But wait!” He dashed into the cabin, then reap- peared carrying a large galvanized- iron pail. It seemed to be heavy. A second later and the contents of it—cold, pure water from the great St. Lawrence — descended upon Rosalind like a cloud-burst. How pickes 3 CORMICLOOOKS (©)