The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-03-16
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ H" was Peggy's only excla-
nation, and there was a
Y shadow Of disappointment
in her eyes.
Come in, Peggy, and III read
aloud" was Monty's cheerful greeting
as he stood before her.
mo: I must CO." said Peggy con.
fusedly. II thought you might be
nervous about the storm-and'-
And you came to let me out?" Mon
ty had never been so happy.
Yes, and 1 don't care what the 9TH
ers say. l thought you were suffer.
ing But ut that moment the boat
gave Il lurch which threw her across
the threshold into Monty's arms. They
crashed against the wall, and he held
her q 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.
"Oh, Monty" she cried, I'VE must
not go to them! They will think me a
traitor"
"Why were you a traitor, Peggy" he
demanded, turning toward her sudden
ly.
"Oh-oh, because it seemed 50 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 a 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
t~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.
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. 81 did not escape OF my W
accord. | had help. The money Is
vours. And now that 1 am free" he
added quietly, "let me say that this
boat does not go to Boston,
",Just what l expected" cried Van
derpool.
"She's going straight to New York."
declared Monty. The words were hard
" uttered when q heavy sea sent hin
| SDra Wing ucFOSS Tic SuDlL, oAA ~ W.
cluded, "or to the bottom
"Not so bad as that" said Captain
Perry, whose entrance had beer some
what fastened by the lurch of the boat.
"Rut until this blows over | must keep
YOU below" He laughed, but ne sa"
they were not deceived. 1.-THE seas are
pretty heavy and the decks are Delng
holystoned for nothing, but wouldn't
like to have any of you washed over
board by mistake"
The matches were battened down. ana
II was a sorry company that tried 10
while away the evening in the nam
cabin, Monty's chatting about the ad-
yautages Of the North cape over 'ue
stormy Atlantic was not calculated u
raise the dropping spirits, and 1t was
yery early when he and his shattered
Guests turned in. There was ilttle
sleep on board the Filter tnat nisu..
Even If it had been easy to forget tne
danger, the creaking OF the sup ana
Tho incessant roar Of the water. Wele