sion.
It seemed to Mayo that she was trying to assure herself that Bradish was
some person whom she knew. But she did not appear to have much success
in making him seem real. She spoke to him once or twice in an undertone,
but he did not answer. Then she turned her back on him.

Suddenly Mayo leaped up and shouted.

A man was running along the sandy crest of a low hill near the beach. He
disappeared in a little structure that was no larger than a sentry-box.

"There's a coast-guard patrol from the life-saving station. There must
be one somewhere along here!"

The man rushed out and flourished his arms.

"He has telephoned," explained Mayo. "Those are the boys! There's hope
for us!"

There was more than hope--there was rescue after some hours of dreary
and anxious waiting.

The life-boat came frothing down the sea from the distant inlet, and
they were lifted on board by strong arms.

And then Alma Marston gave Mayo the strangest look he had ever received
from a woman's eyes. But her lips grew white and her eyes closed, and
she lapsed into unconsciousness while he folded a blanket about her.

"You must have had quite a job of it, managing a woman through this
scrape," suggested the captain of the crew.

"It's just the other way," declared Mayo. "I'm giving her credit for
saving the whole of us."

"How's that?"

"I might find it a little hard to make you understand, captain. Let it
stand as I have said it."

XXV ~ A GIRL AND HER DEBT OF HONOR

Says she, "You lime-juice sailor,
Now see me home you may."
But when we reached her cottage door
She unto me did say--
And a-way, you santee,
My dear Annie!
O you New York girls,
Can't you dance the polka!
--Walking Down the Broadway.

Mayo was promptly informed that Captain Downs and the crew of the
_Alden_ were safe.

"He caught our flare, got his motor to working, and made the inlet by a
lucky stab," explained the coast-station captain. "But he didn't reckon
he'd ever see you folks again. How did it happen he didn't tell me there
was a woman aboard?"

"You'll have to ask him."

"Who is she?"

"You'll have to ask him that, too. I'm only a sailor."

The captain looked him over with considerable suspicion: His shirt was
torn and his white skin was revealed. The drenching by rain and spray
had played havoc with his disguise; most of the coloring had been washed
away