The Press., 1904-03-24

hence the paper deduced the alleged
fact that II the wind reached a velocity
Of even twelve miles an hour the Amer
lean boat would inevitably capsize.
The first two races went or splendid
y for the Americans. the Virginia com
ing In good five miles ahead Of her
rival In spite Of the fact that the latter
also showed phenomenal speed. BY the
morning Of the third race the yachting
world had settled down to the convic-
ton that Mr.. Burke had discovered
some new principle of hull building.
The result Of the third race seemed 30
absolutely certain that Stanhope invited
Miss Wentworth and her chaperon to
be on board during 1t. 1t was not in
accordance with racing customs to have
any one besides the officers and crew
aboard at such a time, but the superior
fty Of the Virginia was so evident that
1t seemed impossible for harm to result
And none did result until after the
race was won. AS the Virginia glided
smoothly across the line four miles
ahead of her 0utclassed rival Stan
hope turned to Miss Wentworth. "Are
ed. The girl turned to him, JOY in his
triumph flushing In her, face, but be-
fore she could answer a cry Of terror
arose. The excursion feet, wild with
excitement over the unprecedented tri-
umph of the American, had broken
through the guard lines. The next
instant came grinding crash, and the
paddle wheel Of a gigantic ferryboat
went tearing across the yacht, rip
ping her stern to pieces and pushing
her beneath the water.
The suddenness Of the calamity add
ed to its awfulness. One moment the
beautiful vessel, with towering masts
and bellying canvas, was there, the
next only a confusion Of broken tim
bers and struggling men.
As the boat went down like q stone
Stanhope clasped Virginia in his arms
and sprang overheard, and in a few
moments they were picked up without
sensible injury to either
Putting Miss Wentworth under care
of her friends, Stanhope hurried on
board Of the United States gunboat
which had quickly dispersed the feet
and taken charge of the wreck. cap
tain Edward" he exclaimed hOarsely,
II ann Mr.. Stanhope. owner of the Viz
ginia. My entire fortune is in that
yacht She contains over 100000 in
gold"
'Whaty'
''Her keel is of solid gold. You read
the story in the paper the other day
stating that the Virginia drew only
fifteen feet of water. Well, that was
true. Gold is nearly twice as heavy
as lead, a golden keel Is only half the
size Of a leaden one, and its resistance
to the water is far less. Consequently
a boat with such keel is much faster
than one with the ordinary lead keel.
l had to win this race. so sold all
my property and turned 1t into gold
to make keel for the Virginia. Will
you stay here and protect the wreck
until we can get the wrecking appa-
ratusT'
Il will, sir; will" ~f
Three. hours later the work ON the
yacht had proceeded far enough to
make certain the safety Of the gold,
and Stanhope set of to the home Of
Miss Wentworth, where he found her
none the worse for her cold bath.
81 asked my. question at the proper
time, Virginia" he said, but the blum
dering Of that boat robbed me Of my
answer. Did the moment carry you
awayT'
Shyly the girl looked up at him.
sNo," she said. 1.-THE moment didn't
butt think that you did"