Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
HI was Peggy's only excla-
n nation, and there was
shadow of disappointment
~ in her eyes.
Come in, Peggy, and I'll read
aloud" was Monty's cheerful greeting
as he stood before her.
NO; I must CO." said Peggy, con
Iusedly. II thought you might be
nervous about the storm-and''-
"And you came to let me out?" Mon.
y had never been so happy.
Eyes, and / don't care what the 9th.
ers say. I thought you were suffer.
ing But at that moment the boat
gave lurch which threw her across
the threshold into Montys arms. They
crashed against the wall, and he held
her moment and forgot the storm.
When sheN drew away from him she
showed him the open door and free.
dom. She could not speak
Where are the others?' he asked,
bracing himself in the doorway.
''Oh, Monty" she cried, 1--WE must
not go to them! They will think me
traitor"
"Why We're you traitor, Peggy?" he
demanded, turning toward her sudden
ly.
.Oh-oh, because 1t seemed so cruel
to keep you locked up through the
storm" she answered, blushing.
and there was no other reason?" he
persisted.
Don't, please don't!" she cried pite-
ously, and he misunderstood her emo
ton. 1t was clear that she was merely
sorry for him.
Never mind, Peggy, It's all right.
You stood by me, and I'll stand by you.
Come on; We'll face the mob, and I'll
do the fighting"
Together they made their way into
the presence of the mutineers, who
were crowded into the main cabin.
"Well, here's conspiracy" cried
Dan DeMille, but there was no anger
In his voice. How did you escape? l
was just thinking Of unlocking your
door, Monty, but the key seemed to be
missing"
Peggy displayed it triumphantly.
"By Jovew cried Dan. This is rank
reachery. Who was on guard?"
A steward rushing through the cabin
at this moment in answer to frantic
calls from Bragdon furnished an elo-
quent reply to the question.
1T was simple" said Monty "The
guards deserted their post and left the
key behind"
Then it is up to me to pay you
$1,000"
"Not at ALL" protested Monty, taken
aback. II did not escape Of my own
accord. had help. The money Is
yours. And now that am free" he
added quietly, "let me say that this
boat does not so to Boston"
Just what / expected cried Van
derpool.
"she's going straight to New York;
declared Monty. The words We're hard
ly uttered when heavy sea sent him
sprawling across the cabin, and he con-
cluded, cor to the bottom"
mot so bad as that" said Captain
Perry, whose entrance had been some
what fastened by the lurch of the boat.
But until this blows over I must keep
you below" He laughed, but he saw
they were not deceived. 1.-THE seas are
pretty heavy and the decks are being
holystoned for nothing but wouldn't
like to have any Of you washed over
board by mistake
The matches were battened down, and
1t was sorry company that tried to
while away the evening in the main
cabin. Montys chatting about the ad-
vantages of the North cape over the
stormy Atlantic was not calculated to
raise the dropping spirits, and it was
very early when he and his shattered
guests turned in. There was little
sleep on board the Filter that night.
Even il 1t had been easy to forget the
danger, the creaking of the ship and
the incessant roar of the water were
enough for wakefulness. With each
lurch of the boat 1t seemed more in
credible that it could endure. 1t was
such mite Of thing to meet so furi-
Gus an attack Through the night
the fragile little craft fought its lone
ly way, bravely ignoring it's own weak
ness and the infinite strength Of its en-.
envy. To the captain, dashed to the
bridge, there We're hours Of grave anx-
iety-hours when he feared each wave
as it approached and wondered what