The Tidal Wave and Other Stories

, ending at the great jutting promontory of the Spear Point. The moon was yet three ni

withstand them. It was curved like a scimitar, that rock, and within its curve there slept, when the tide was low, a pool. When the tide rose the wate

e Spear Point Caves; but the path was difficult, and there were few who had ever attempted it. Fo

Point as though flung in sport from a giant hand. And when the water was high there ca

ng waves as they met the first grim rocks of the Point. Presently they would dash in thu

the water, so splendid the moonlight, that the whole of her light form was mirrored there-a perfect image

o himself. "If I could get her

k. He stood on the rocks some yards aw

ening space her voice came to him, half-mocking, h

et," h

th a humorous gesture, "Has

ng slowly and with cautio

ol. There was laughter in her eyes, laug

the same flat rock. He bent to her, in

said. "Witch! En

th a sudden glory-the glory of the awaking soul. But the woma

eyes from the fiery adoration that flamed upon her. "The magic is w

nied. "Do you know what you have done to me, you goddess? You have opened the eyes of my heart. I am dazzled.

er begin it?" wh

et," he said. "The vision is too near, too wonderful. How shall I pai

e laid her hand in his. But she did not raise her eyes

t-afraid?"

whispered back. "Not

rible in that. The same magic is working in us both. Let it work, d

l she trembled in his hold. "I never thought,"

dess and sorceress, do you doubt that? Wait till you see my picture, and then ask! I have found my inspiration tonight-yes, I have found it-but it is so immense-so overwhelming-that I cannot gr

t at the last, indeed, she made a small, wholly futile attempt to free herself; but the moment she did so his hold became the hold of the conqueror, and with a faint

the world, and it bore them swiftly, swiftly, whither neither he in his restlessness nor she in her in experience realised or cared. If the sound of the breakers came to them from afar they heeded it not. They were too far away to matter as yet, and Knight had steered a safe course for himself in troubled seas before. As for Columbine, she

ad swelled to a roar. The splash of them mounted higher and ever higher. Suddenly a crest of foam gleamed like a tongue of lightning at the point of the curve. The p

t in thunder, and in a moment the p

hispered Columbine.

Knight's arm held her close pressed to his side. He could feel the beating of her heart. She

d kissed the red, red lips that gave so generously. "Is

e! It is the tidal wave that comes so seldom-maybe

. "My passion-flower!

. He laid his hot face against her neck, and held it so, not breathing. Her arm

!" she whispered tensel

if a giant hand had churned them. The foam from beyond the reef overspread

tide is coming up fast," he s

I could die with you on a

ss!" he said. "You couldn't die! But I

e Point. Reluctantly she came to earth. The

t go, and quickly-quickl

it water, the dark caves, the enchanted strand. Progress was not easy, but Knight had been that way before, though only b

e lie of the quicksand that's puzzling,

n," he made light reply. "

augh of sheer happiness. "

own to the nethermost

t, though even then it had needed an alert eye to detect that slight ooziness of surface that denoted the presence of the sea-swamp. But by night, even in that brilliant moonlight, it was barely percep

is faith in his own luck was as profound as his faith in the girl at his side. And the tumult in his veins that night was such as to make him ins

again until they had made the passage and th

reath, she stopped.

e before?" he a

Oh, are we ever safe?" she said. "Especially whe

y thinking of the future!"

half-hour-in less-the tide will be racing over this very spot, and we shall be gone." Her voice vibrated; she cast a glance behind. "One false step," she said,

ously. "Why, what has

I don't know," she said. "It's being so madly happy tha

ake the most of it while it does!" he said. "Tonig

rishly. "The moon may

him. "I can do without th

trembling. "I feel-somehow-as if som

is a bit too intrusive tonight. I shan't

y. "We couldn't cross the qui

the cliff-path," he pointed out. "I

p, and it passes Rufus's

ndifferently. "I'm sure

es, you must have moonlight for you

uddenly closer. "Do you know w

!" she w

ntly her face up to his

lorious, trusting eyes. "But why

a rough sketch in the morning and show it you. It won't be

said, hal

u realised yet that you are my inspiration?" he said. "It is

really-so beautiful?" she faltered. "Wou

you are exquisite as a passion-flower grown in Paradise. To worship

me-because

s no other reason, heart of my heart. When my picture of pictures is pa

was almost convulsive. "Ah, yes! To see myself with your

ve. "You will have to show me yourself and your

d in her soul was burning in her eyes. "I am all yours-all yours,"

e there succeeded it. "Ah, you shouldn't tell me that, sweetheart," he said, and his voice was low

right to all

head. "No-no! Y

ve?" she said, w

red soberly. "Only so young that you may-po

oice had a startled note;

y on the sea. "I mean that love is just moonshine

cried, and there was

. "No, not in a night, sweetheart. Not ev

love!" she said

s life," he said, "and the irony of life. Don't be too generous, my queen of the sea! Give me

he did not ask for any further explanation, something about him restrained her. But she knew no doubt, and when he halted in the shadow of the deserted qua

all-sufficing. She carried away