three men on board. They could not reach them with an ordinary boat, and
the life-boat was not available."

"Go on!" gasped Molly, her eyes on her friend's face.

Mrs. Langdale went on, with an effort.

"Charlie Cleveland--dear fellow--went out to them with a rope. He
reached them, brought one safely back, returned for the
others--and--and--" Her voice failed. Her hands tightened upon Molly's;
they were very cold. "He managed to get to them again," she whispered,
"but--the rope wasn't long enough. He unlashed himself and bound them
together. They pulled them ashore--both living. But--he--was lost!"

The composure suddenly forsook Mrs. Langdale's face. She hid it on
Molly's pillow.

"Oh, Molly, that darling boy!" she cried, with a burst of tears. "And
they say he went to his death--laughing."

"He would," Molly said, in a strange voice. "I always knew he would."

She lay back again. Her face was suddenly pinched and grey, but she felt
not the smallest desire to cry.

"I wonder why!" she presently said. "How I wonder why!"

Mrs. Langdale recovered herself with an effort. The frozen voice seemed
to give her strength.