The Iola register., 1901-03-01

noisy manipulation of ropes and tackle.
then the sailors drew the boat back to
its place and fastened it there. The
ships engines throbbed sluggishly and
there was an attempt perhaps only for
the sake of appearances, TO send the
ship back in the vicinity OF the spot
where it was when the alarm was
given; but dangerous head-winds rem
dered this impracticable. In a few min
utes the Cleopatra was forging ahead
as II nothing unusual had happened.
Mrs. Nolan refused to remain in her
stateroom. She escaped the sailor
when his back was turned and ran
along the deck wringing her hands and
wailing. a group of passengers had
ventured to the head of the stairs and
stood shivering in the wind and spray.
a woman in this group caught Mrs.
Nolan in her arms and tried to console
her.
Don't take on" she said. "You are
not to blame. She was crazy as a loon
She told me to-day that the captain had
been hired by some enemy to put her
in irons. What did her folks mean by
sending her over with just you-such
frail woman?"
"Oh. don't know. don't ask mel"
cried Mrs. Nolan. shes dead. oh. she's
dead!"
The captain was approaching and
Mrs. Nolan showed signs of Mysteries
again.
"l'll take her to her state-room," said
the woman.
81 wish you would" said the captain,
with an oath. "She's as crazy as her
mistress!"
The woman who had profTered her
kind offices accompanied Mrs. Nolan to
the state-room.
"Now, try not to think of it," she
said. 81 know it is awful, but the poor
thing is better off as she is than to go
on having such strange notions. OF
course, mean if there was no cure for
her. and there seldom is, you know"
Mrs. Nolan, now that she had such
easy credulity to play upon. saw the
expediency of getting rid of her visitor
so she calmed down wonderfully.
"When l once get to s.eep I'll be all
eight she declared. 81 shall want the
door locked. l can't stand the idea Of
her, poor woman"
"I'll ask the captain TO let me stay
with you II you like" and the speaker
looked round at the elegant appoint
ments of the comfortable room with q
sovetous look in her eyes.
myself. l was accustomed to being
alone till she and left New York"
"Oh, just as you feel about it," said
the woman, slightly disappointed
"Well, l think I'd better be going. If
they know I'm here all the passengers
will want to dock round you"
She had hardly left when the cap
tain looked in. His face was deeply
troubled.
II shall want all the details about
Mrs. Goddard. SO as TO make out q
report to the ships company and the
authorities when we land-but to-
morrow will do"
81 shall have q better head then"
said Mrs. Nolan. 81 am awfully up
set"
you seem to be blaming yourself"
he said, in a kind tone. 81 don't
think you need do this. l was very
much worried the day she spoke so
had recovered"
"She has been as rational as any
body till to-day" said Mrs. Nolan,
wiping her eyes, which somehow
thanks TO the spray and constant
rubbing-were wet and red. II was
in my room there just thinking of
going to bed when she sprang up, and
before l knew it she was out on deck,
and-oh, it was awful!"
"Try to think of something else"
said the captain; "it seems to agitate
you. Good night"
She stopped him with gesture.
81 wish you would not let the pas
sengers disturb me-" she whimpered.
"She and l were dear friends. and
you see"
"You shall have all the privacy you
WISH" he promised her. 81 shall see
to that"
When he had gone, Mrs. Nolan
locked the door behind him. She
looked to see if the window-curtans
were well down and then she turned
out the electric light. The ship, Civ
ing a big roll. almost threw her of
her feet, but she held on to the bed
and crept to the closet, She gave
three soft raps, then inserted the key
and opened the door. She groped
about till she caught hold of the
prisoners warm hands and drew her
out.
"Well?" whispered Mrs. Goddard.
81 did my best"
"How did it work?" was the next
whisper, after a pause,
81 think you will not complain.
They have swallowed it whole"
"If you did half as well on deck
as you did here with the woman and
the captain we have nothing to fear.
l laughed several times. Lucy, you
are a gem!'
IT'S getting into port that l