The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. 427 hand: Then the fearful undertow caught them in its embrace and they were dragged out and away — overwhelmed — smothered — drowned in the boiling surf ! Thorne’s heart throbbed convulsively. His one thought was that~ she had sacrificed her life for him. He seized her around the body and fought his way to the surface® They were far out from the shore and not even his raft was in reach now. ‘*She has killed herself for me !’’ He cried the words aloud, and struck out like a mad man for the shore. ‘‘Don’t—I feel a current. Let it carry us,’’ she murmured. She knew more about the sea than he. He obeyed, still bearing her up with his uninjured arm. The foam streaked waters swept them on into the cut, but Thorne noticed that the waves no longer broke around them. The pounding of the surf was all behind. : Suddenly an eddy swung them toward the cliff on the right. He struck with cruel force against a rock ; but he seized it and hung on grimly. ‘* Saved !’’ he cried. Bearing the almost lifeless form of the girl upon his shoulder, he dragged himself out of the sea’s reach. At last—miraculous as it seemed—he stood upon the land. : ‘“Put me down. I can walk,’’ said Sydney faintly. He did so as another flash of the fitful lightning revealed their surround- ings. ‘The beach was narrow here and huge masses of fallen boulders lay at the foot of the cliff. Among those rocks must be some shelter — some rude cavity which might shield them from the gusts of rain which now and then swept in from the sea. Thorne looked at the girl pityingly. lier wet gar- ments clung close to her figure, and the sea had torn some.of them almost from her. His own clothing was in shreds, he had lost his hat, and his shoes he had kicked off before leaving the wreck. Sydney’s hair had become loosened and hung down upon her shoulders, drenched and heavy. ‘‘“We must not stand here,’’ said Thorne, taking her hand again. ‘* Where are the others ?”’ ‘Father and the mates are somewhere near the place where I first saw you. ‘They were looking forthe long boat.’’ ‘*’Then the cutter got safely ashore ?’’ ‘Ves, ’ Tonio and two of the sailors—Jessop and Shields—came with us. They feared the long boat had been: wrecked and went to search along the shore.”’ ‘‘ Well, we cannot cross this inlet again in the dark. We must find some shelter for the night.’’ . | ‘But father will think something has happened to me. He will believe that I-am drowned.”’ : ‘‘He’ll find you’re not, in the morning, and joy never kills, they say,’’ responded Thorne, gaining courage now that he felt firm ground beneath his feet once more. ‘‘ You risked your life to try to save me, Miss Latimer, and I’ll make it my business to return you safely to your father. First, let us find some place out of the wind. You are shaking with the cold.’’ CoOMmicooolks 5}