The Tidal Wave and Other Stories

ory at The Ship softly opened, and a slim figure, clad in a long, dark garment, flitted forth. Neither to right nor left did it glance, but, closin

or the eye to endure. In another hour it would be as light as day. A few dim clouds were floating over the stars, filmy wisps that had escaped from the ragged edges of a dark curtain that had

wn moth drawn by the glitter of the moonligh

aint blur of white against the towering sandstone behind. No light had shone there all the evening, for the daylight had not died till ten, and he was

amidst darker shadows. A faint scent of cigarette smoke hung about the

onlit shore travelling with mysterious certainty, irresistibly attracted? There was no pause in its rapid progress, though the course it fo

ove the water when the tide was out. It was inaccessible save by way of the pool itself, and yet it had the look of a pathway cut in the face of the Spear P

rely through the quicksand came with its noiseless feet over the tumble of rocks that

he lesser form a hesitancy of movement, a shyness, almo

t or two the impulse passed or was controlled. Two qu

aiting!" a lo

er. The moonlight made his eyes

aiting a long

s if she would evade him. And then with a sharp sob she con

, her neck, her bosom, as if he would devour the swee

so late, sweetheart. The tide won't wait fo

inst his heart. "There is tomorro

again, sweet. See the light against that rock! It is a marvel of black and white, and I swear that the pool is green. There

tement, and having spoken his arms

sooner. I had a feeling-of being watched. I nearly-very nearl

ut now there is no time." The soothing note in his voice sounded oddly strained, as though an undernote of fever throbbed below it. "You're not going to fail me," he urged softly. "Think how much it means to you-to me! A

r trembling. She lifted her face to the moonli

this one thing

"I would die for you,"

ierce surrender she sprang away from him on to the flat rock above the pool whe

e moved again. The brown garment slipped from her, and like a streak of light, she w

his eyes as if dazed. And from beyond the Spear Point there sounde