The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-05-31
fusedly. II thought you might be

l
ers say. I thought you We're suffer
ing But at that moment the boat
gave a lurch which threw her across
the threshold into N1onty's arms. They
crashed against the wall, and he held
her a moment and forgot the storm.
When she 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.
ooh, Monty she cried, 1--WE must
not go to them! They will think me a
traitor"
"Why were you traitor, Peggy" he
demanded, turning toward her sudden
~.
"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 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 a conspiracyw cried
Dan DeMille, but there was no anger
in his voice. "How did you escape?
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
heachery. 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 I had help. The money is
yours. And now that I am Free" he
added quietly, "let me say that this
boat does not go to Boston,
"Just what 1 expectedw cried Van
derpool.
"Shes going straight to New York;
declared Monty. The words were hard
~ 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 must keep
you below" He laughed, but he saw
they were not deceived. "The seas are
pretty heavy and the decks are being
holystoned for nothing, but I wouldn't
like to have any of you washed over
board by mistake."
The matches were battened down, and
it was a sorry company that tried to
while away the evening in the main
cabin. Monty's 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 If it 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 it seemed more in
credible that it could endure. It was
such mite Of thing to meet 50 furi-
GUS an attack. Through the night
the fragile little craft fought it's lone
ly way, bravely ignoring it's own weak
ness and the infinite strength Of it's en-
envy. To the captain, dashed to the
bridge, there were hours Of grave anx-
tety-hours when he feared each wave
as it approached and wondered what
new damage it had done as it receded.
AS the wind increased toward morning
ne felt sickening certainty that the
brave little boat was beaten. Somehow
she seemed to lose courage, to waver
DIT and almost give up the fight He
watched her miserably as the dismal
dawn came up out Of the sea. Yet it
was not until o'clock that the crash
came which shook the passengers out
OF their berths and filed them with
shlvering terror. The whirling of the
broken shaft seemed to consume the
ship. In every cabin it spoke with
horrible vividness of disaster. The
clamor of voices and the rush of MANY
feet which followed meant but one
thing. Almost instantly the machinery
was stopped-aE omineus silence in the
midst of the dull roar Of the water and
the cry Of the wind.
1t was terrified crowd that quickly
gathered in the main cabin, but it was
brave one. There We're no cries and
few tears. They expected anything
and We're ready for the worst, but they
would not show the white feather. It
was Mrs. Dan who broke the tension.
II made sure of my pearls. she said.