The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 53: 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. eee A37 The sailor, not yet recovered from his terror at the appearance of Thorne, did as he was bid. ‘The third mate wet the lips of the insensible man with the stuff and forced a little between his teeth. Then he coolly placed the flask in his own pocket. ‘‘T'll take charge of this,’’ he said. ‘‘ You’ll be a sight better off with- out it, Atwell.’’ | : Thorne began to show signs of returning consciousness. He stirred and groaned feebly. After a moment his eyes opened and he stared wildly about. ‘““ Save her—for God’s sake save her ! Never mind me,’’ he muttered. Captain Latimer, who had sat silent through it all, suddenly pressed forward. ‘‘Have you seen Sydney? Do you know anything about her?’’ he asked. ‘Thorne gazed at him with dawning intelligence. ‘‘ Speak, man !’’ begged the anxious father. ‘‘ What has become of her ?’’ ‘‘ Dead ! dead !’’ groaned Thorne. ** Dead !”’ : ‘* Aye, dead /”’ repeated*Thorne, ‘‘ and by that villain’s hand !”’ He raised his trembling finger and pointed to the fear stricken Monckton. The latter fell back a step. Pepper thought he was trying to escape, and seized him by the shoulder. ‘‘Hold on, my hearty !”’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ You’d better stay and hear this out.’’ ‘‘Tt’s a damnable lie !”’ tied Monckton, finding his voice. ‘‘’The man’s beside himself.’’ ‘“‘Tt is God’s truth,’’ gasped Thorne. ‘‘ How did it happen ?’’ demanded Sessions. ‘* We were crossing the inlet e ‘« Who were?”’ ‘‘ Miss Latimer and I.”’ ‘* But how came she with you?”’ ‘Last night—when I was driven ashore—she saw me and tried to help me to land. The undertow seized us both and carried us into the inlet. We made a landing on the other side.’’ Thorne spoke with difficulty, but his words were understood by all. ‘This morning we started to cross the inlet to join you. We were about half way over when she saw zm standing on the shore.”’ Again Thorne raised his arm and pointed at Monckton. ‘‘T looked when she cried out, and missed my footing. We were both dragged under by the current. I shouted to him to help us, and he stood still on the bank and watched us fighting for our lives !”’ Thorne was panting for breath. His eyes blazed. He struggled up upon his elbow. . | ‘“As God is my witness, I'll kill him!’’ he cried, shaking his clenched hand at the cowering man. ‘‘ Once I get my strength back this island will not be large enough to hold both him and me. I swear it !”’ ‘Tell us the rest, sir,’’ said Latimer hoarsely. ‘“'There’s naught else to tell,’’ groaned Thorne, sinking ‘hacle upon Ses- CONMICLOOKS. CO) 5}