Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-03-01
CHAPTER K.

The eighth day was characterized
by events which discouraged the pas
sengers, who were anxious to end
their long confinement to the ship.
A heavy fog had fallen during the
night and the vessel, with deafening
shrieks of the foghorn, was cropping
her way as slowly as great raft. A
delay of not less than IL hours might
be counted on, declared expert judges
of nautical matters.
Mrs. Goddard and Mrs. Nolan were
as usual on deck sitting side by
side when the second officer passed.
He was hailed by an anxious voyager.
''How long is this going to last, real
ly?' asked the passenger.
'Oh, it's lifting rapidly" was the
answer. You won't hear the fog
horn much longer. In fact, we are
running into quite a gale. 1t will
strike US about dark"
Mrs. Goddard nudged her compan-
ion, and when the speakers had
walked on, she said in whisper:
Things are working beautifully"
beautifully" echoed Mrs. Nolan,
whose heavy conscience had intensi-
fed her natural dread of dangers at
sea.
Eyes, bad weather is exactly what
l want" And the plotting woman at
once set herself to the study of storm
indications.
BY eight o'clock that night the sea
was rocking, frothing, tossing in fury.
The two women shut themselves in
their room and held whispered con-
ference over their final movements.
During his rounds over the slippery,
spray-washed deck the captain raped
at their door. Mrs. Nolan went to it.
passengers are forbidden to go on
deck" he said. Everybody below
will stay downstairs. The wind is
strong and the sea high. Keep your
door locked. How is Mrs. Goddard?"
''Thank you, sir, she seems a little
excited, but l think she will soon be
asleep" and she closed the door as he
walked away.
THAT was splendid reply" said
Mrs. Goddard, approvingly. Every
thing is working well; the deck will
be entirely deserted. To be on the
safe side, wait. till ten o'clock. Re-
member, you are to do it all now It
depends on you. If they press you
too hard for explanations, go into hys-
terics. You surely can do that
Il presume I can; but oh, my Lord!"
''Don't begin that; we are here for
S>~k +1 NJ
tail now?"
'As if they made up my whole life
and my life depended on my knowing
them"
well, think you'll do. Don't for
get to yell at the top of your lungs,
and if they should want to open the
closet don't let them do it, if you
have to knock somebody down."
''1'll prevent it if I can. It would
be awful for us to be caught in this.
We must carry it through
BE sure there is no one looking
when-when I am supposed to make
the plunge."' Mrs. Goddard made
peep-hole at the side of the window
curtain, which was always drawn
AO"A, oAA PCCACO OuL OA OcCA. XCo
as dark as Erebus out there" she
said.
Then they sat down and remained
silent till the bells struck the hour of
ten.
Nov, lock me in. Remember, when
the coast is clear for me to come
out, you are to signal three times
softly-sol" And Mrs. Goddard raped
on the door of the closet with her
knuckles.
II understand" said Mrs. Nolan.
firmly. 'Now get in and let's have
it over with"
You needn't look so excited"
smiled Mrs. Goddard, as she sat down
on the stool in the closet and drew
her skirts round her ankles.
Il am not any more 20 than you
are retorted Mrs. Nolan. 1--WE seen
you in good many tight places, and
] have never seen just such a funny
look about your mouth" =.
Mrs. Goddard made failure Of her
next smile.
"I actually feel - If I were being
buried ahve; ugh! Shut Ne !. and
:, ! t..5g - ~, - %@t -