Part 31 (2/2)

Neil carefully secured the boat and ca here, Miss Marjorie, at this ti happened?'

'We're shi+pwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the tide-way,' said Marjorie

'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe

Co his liued

'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes

'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had stirred on his heather couch

'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake 'He's going to stay here till '

'Neil?' repeated Harry 'Oh, I say, what a lark Gerald, wake up, you lazy beggar, here's Neil at last--Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he ad brother

By this ti the last to open a pair of bewildered, sleepy eyes Roo peats were roused to life, and the boys and girls clustered round, staring and asking questions, much too excited to think of sleep

'How is your er and darker than ever between surprise and sleepiness

'She iss better, thank you, Miss Tricksy I will have left her sleeping quietly, and I will pe co back early to see how she iss in the '

Then after a little hesitation he added, 'She has oes to-'

'Oh, what a sell!' exclaied by his hero and looking up in his face with sparkling eyes 'I mean,'

he added, somewhat confusedly, as he saw the faces of the others, 'I'o; it would have been such fun if you could have stayed'

They conversed a little longer, but quietly, for the darkness and silence which reigned outside their little shelter, and theof the waves made them drowsy; and one by one they dropped to sleep

Marjorie was the first to awaken The clearthe hut, and the others were lying around and breathing heavily

She rose and went out of doors

The sun had not yet risen, but the clouds in the east were red So water

Marjorie stood looking about her for a e

'Allan,' she cried, 'wake up! There are so on the shore; your father and Mr Graha to launch the boat Get up, quick; there's no time to lose!'

Neil was already on his feet, the events of the past few ht hiun to open their eyes and stretch the the situation, 'boat co over here; that will never do'

'Hurry up,' said Allan, 'or they'll be across before you knohere you are'

'You had better wait until we've gone,' said Marjorie to Neil 'Stay in the cottage, or they ood-bye they ran down to the shore, but stopped short in dismay