first, though I own I thought at one time I should like to take a hand.
Go on and prosper, old boy! You've played a winning game all along, you
know. You're a better chap than I am, and it's you she really cares
for--always has been. That's how I came to know what I'd got to do. I
find it's easy--thank God!--it's very easy."

And with that he plunged down again into the breakers. The tide was on
the turn. The worst fury was over. The awful darkness had lifted.

Those who mutely watched him fancied they heard him laugh as he met the
crested waves.


X

Molly had spent a night of feverish restlessness. It was with a feeling
of relief that she answered a tap that came at her door in the early
dusk of the January morning; but she gave a start of surprise when she
saw Mrs. Langdale enter.

She started up on her elbow.

"Oh, what is it? It has been a fearful night. Has something dreadful
happened?" she cried.

Mrs. Langdale's usually merry face was pale and quiet. She went quickly
to the girl's side and took her hands into a tight clasp.

"My dear," she said, "Gerald Fisher asked me to come and tell you. There
has been a wreck in the night. A vessel ran on to the rocks. There were