Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-12-12

| said Mr.. Morton. ct am authorize
by the gentlemen on this boat t
offer you S5,oOo,ooo for our immediat
return to New York harbor."
81 could not think of it," said Hes
tor promptly, as if declining an or
binary business proposition. II hav,
more money now than 1 know wha
to do with. That is why I went into
newspaper reporting. No none,
could tempt me, Mr.. Morton. Let
us drop the subject and go ON deck
1t is too fine day to remain below
Mr.. Morton realized that he hao
failed, and that there was absolutely
no hope in that direction. He said
nothing to his associates of his lack
OF success, but waited for chance
to speak to Capt. Waters. 1t was
late in the afternoon before he had
an opportunity to make any PROPOSE
ton to that official. Hestor was on
the upper deck. Capt. Waters en-
/ tered the saloon, which at that mo-
ment was occupied only by Mr.. Nor
ton and Mr.. Rockwell. AS the cap
tain entered the room, the latter, at
signal from Mr.. Morton, discreetly
retired. Capt. Waters stood for a
moment at the center table and idly
turned over the leaves of maya
zine. Mr.. Morton advanced to the
table.
1--WE are favored with beautiful
waofhnr, W -
Good cruising weather." re-
sponded the captain as he turned
and started for the companion way.
Mr.. Morton placed himself squarely
in front of him.
Capt. Waters, 1 wish to have a
few words with you in private"
Not with me, sir" said Capt. Wa
ters. He stopped for an instant
with one foot on the stair. He
looked Mr.. Morton full in the eyes.
II talk in pri, ate only with Mr.. Hes
tor" he said.
Mr.. Morton laid his hand on the
atheer's arm. He was not accus-
toned to have his requests refused
or his offers repulsed. For moment
he seemed to study the stern face
of the official.
Capt. Waters" he said, in a low
distinct voice, 'do you wish to make
a million dollars?"
''No, sir.'
The heavy jaws came together with
snap which was more eloquent in
it's decision than any studied refusal.
lie disengaged his arm and strobe up
the companion way.
Keep her off point he said to
the wheelsman.
Nh, Norton slowly paced the saloon
with his hands behind his back and
his head bent forward, as in deep
contemplation. In a short time Mr..
Rockwell returned. He gave Mr.. Nor
ton q Questioning lack. In response
Ma. Morton shook his head gloom
lily but said not a word. His COM
panion showed no surprise nor did
he evince much disappointment. Like
Mr.. Kent, he saw no hope for imme-
date relief, and had resigned HIM
self 10 await results. He selected
a book from the shelves and read
quietly until dinner was announced.
Dinner was served at six o'clock.
The weight of entertaining fell on
Hestor and Vincent. While the lat
ter gentleman had not yet been able
to attract the attention of Mr.. Car
mody he was satisfied that he would
have all abundance of time in which
to explain his plans. lin. Morton
had acquainted his associates with
the failure which thus far had at
tended his negotiations. He yet held
out hope, but it was faint, When
coffee had been served, Hestor arose
and said:
"Gentlemen, we ave now not far
from Cape God. During the evening 1
am going to send Il man ashore with
letters. You will find stationery in
your staterooms. suppose that all
of you wish TO send word assuring
your families and friends that you
are alive and well. You can do so,
but you must not enter into any par
ticulars about this outing. You can
inform those in when you are CON
cerned that you are safe; that you
I'm ,,.4,,,,,, -. ~ -
:" -. =. ~ lnem after reasonable
length Of time, or you may male ,,,,S
other stateme1.t not Connected with
| business or with your present where.
| abouts. Hand me. the letters I'M
| sealed, and will examine them and
| have them mailed during the night.
| should have all of them in my pos
session before nine o'clock"
GLOW about me?" asked Mr.. Vim
| cent.
...Yo4 are included,.s said Mr.. Hes:
tor.
There was no hesitancy In accept
ing this invitation. The thought that
they could speedily communicate
with their loved ones lifted a great
load from their minds. For an houl
Hestor acted as censor on these let
tiers. He made but few changes, ant
these of course rendered it neces
sary to rewrite the rejected letters
In the meantime the yacht hat
rounded Cape Cod and dropped int
the quiet waters of the bay.
| Shortly after nine o'clock thu
dinghy was swung out on her davit
and lowered into the water. A young
man in a business suit, such as worl
for everyday service, by the averag
citizen, acted as mail carrier. Pro
l v,o1lol l,1, tho ct, a1.,nc of n Sni1