Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ in her eyes.
"Come IN. Peggy. and I'll read
aloud" was Montys cheerful greeting
rs he stood before her.
"No: must GO" said Peggy con-
:uscdly. II thought you might be
nervous about the storm-and'
"And you came to let me out?" Mon
ty had never been so happy.
Eyes. and don't care what the 9th
ers say. | thought you We're suffer-
ing Put at that moment the boat
gave urch which threw her across
the threshold into Monty's arms. They
crashed against the wall. and he held
hcr moment and forgot the storm.
When she drew away from him she
showed him the open door and free
dom. She could not speak.
"Nhere are the others?" he asked.
racing himself in the doorway.
"Oh. Monty" she cried. 1--WE must
not 60 to them. They will think me a
traitor"
"Why were you traitor, Poggy?" he
demanded, turning toward her sudden
ly.
"Oh--oh, because It 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. IT 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 III
do the lighting"
the presence Of the mutineers. who
were crowded into the main cabin.
well. here's a conspiracy! cried
Dan DeMllle, but there was no anger
in his voice. "IIow did You escape?
was just thinking Of unlocking your
door. Monty. tut the key seemed 70 be
missing"
Peggy displayed 1t triumphanily.
by Jovew cried Dan. This is rank
treachery. Who was on guard:'
A steward rushing through the cabin
at this moment in answer to frantic
calls from Bragdon furnished an eio-
Quent reply to the question.
ut 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. Il did not escape OF my own
accord. l had help. The money is
yours. And now that I nm free he
added quietly. ''let Inc say that this
boat does not go to Boston,
Just what expected cried Van
derpool.
"She's going straight TO New York.
declared Monty. The words were nara
ly uttered when heavy sea sent hin
sprawling across the cabin. and he con
cluded, "or to the bottom"
mot so bad as that" said Captain
Perry, whose entrsnce had been some
what hastened by the lurch OF the boat
But until this blows over ! must keel
You below" He laughed. but he sa"
they were not deceived 1.-THE seas art
pretty heavy and the decks are belnt
jlolystonsd for nothing but ! wouidn'
like to have any Of you washed over
board by mistake"
The matches were battencd down, an'
II was a sorry company that tried +
while away the evening in the mali
cabin. Monty's cnaiting about the ad
vantages Of the North cape over III
stormy Atlantic was not calculated L
raise the dropping spirits. aud 1t wa
very early when he and hls shattere'
,, guests turned In. There was Iittl
sleep on board the Filter that night
Even II 1t had been easy to forget III
! danger the creakng Of the ship an
the incessant roar ot the water wer
enough for wakefulness. with eac
lurch of the boat II seemed more II
credible that it could endure. 1t wa
such a mlts OF thing to meet so FUR
Gus an attack. Through the nigI
the fragile little craft fought its lon'
, ~ way. braveiy ignoring Its own veal
ness and the infinite strength OF its eI
envy. To the captain. dashed to tn
I, bridge, there We're hours Of grave an!
= iety-hours when he feared each way