d been accomplished, the useless properties were being removed. The
storm was over, ending as quickly as it had begun; the cloud-legions
were hurrying eastward overhead to form the setting of another tragedy
or farce somewhere else, or to return to the nothing which had given
them birth. A few faint flashes and a distant rumble or two marked their
passing.

Along the western edge of the world appeared a narrow streak of ruddy
light, like burnished copper beneath the blackness above. Blazing forth
with the glory of a conqueror, the sun appeared within it, and seemed to
poise immovable for an instant 'twixt heaven and earth, while its
dazzling rays turned the living waters to molten gold. Then it slowly
sank from sight, and, like wraiths of the dying day, the night-shadows
began to creep out from the shore, deeper and deeper, nearer and nearer,
until they engulfed the little craft and its owner.

With a sudden decision, Donald played out the sheet and put the tiller
over. The boat swung around into the path of the wind and fled seaward
again. He could not go home, now. He must fight out the battle with
self, as it is always fought, alone, and what place could be more
fitting than out there in the darkness, on the face of the troubled
waters?

CHAPTER XXXIII

WHAT THE CRICKET HEARD

Two hours later Donald stumbled, like a strong man physically played
out, up the path to the cottage.

Ethel saw him coming, and ran part way down the steps to meet him. With
her arms around his neck, she half-sobbed out the words in a choked
voice, "Oh, Don. Do you know what has happened? Could you see from your
boat? Little Donny? Smiles? Could you see, Don?"

He nodded, dumbly; but his sister kept on, "She couldn't swim, but yet
she jumped, instantly, to save him. You see, she thought that she was
alone, she didn't know about that boy. Oh, Donald, we must do something
for him, something splendid. He saved my baby's life."

Ethel was crying now, and the man forgot his own misery in comforting
her.

"But why didn't you come, Donald? You didn't know...."

"Yes, I knew that everything ... was all right. Rose waved to me and
called. I ... I _couldn't_ come, Ethel. I can't make you understand."

With the light of understanding breaking in upon her mind, and bringing
a flood of sympathy with it, his sister once more drew close and
encircled his neck with her arms.

"Where ... where is she?" he asked, as though the words were