The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-17

1TiSSy ana Iempy. AAuO Oh iOScs -
that o'clockY'
Yes. il is You must be going right
away. I'd no idea twas so late"
The fog had entirely disappeared
and il was clear. cold November
night. The heavens were spattered
thick with stars. and the horizon was
dotted here and there with the sparks
| of lighthouses and lightships- Sleep
ing orhan lay still. and the surf
hummed a restful lullaby.
What was thatg' asked Clara.
pointing.
What was what?"
Il thought l saw a. queer light out
on the water there. Yes; see, there it
Is again"
The captain put up his hand to,
shade his eyes from the rays OF the
+ lamp in the kitchen and looked IN the
I direction she was pointing. Out be-
yond the strip OF water at the foot OF
the long hill behind the house. beyond
the point that divided Ii from the har.
Dor. speck Of light glowed for an In
slant. fiickered and went out.
That's queer" he muttered. THAT'S
Off in the harbor, right by our moor
ms
The speck OF light reappeared. grew
larger, pulled for an instant into q
ruddy flame that lit up the masts and
huh of a schooner lying Mt anchor.
Lord A'mightyr yelled Captaiu
/ Titcomb. Its the Diving Belle On
fire.
And from the darkness In the direc>
ton OF the distant wharf came q faint
shout, then another.
The captain plunged headlong Tor
the back fence. call Brad" he shout.
ed. Quick
Clara ran screaming into the house.
and her companion vaulted the fence
and dashed down the hill. The dad
grass beneath his feet was wet and
slippery. Blackberry vines caught him
about the ankles, and tangled clump0
of bayberry bushes tore his clothes a.
he scrambled through them. Once ho
fell head first into sand pit. but the
sand was soft and he was not hurt.
The Diving Belle was on firel The
Diving Belle was burning upl Hin
brain repeated II over and over again
Then came the thought Of what her
loss would mean to Bradley and him.
self. and he groaned aloud.
He reached the foot Of the hin and
plowed through the soft sand Of the
beach. The tide was low, and he ran
across the fats. splashing to his knseo
in the channels. As he climbed the
bank by the bridge he heard some one
running before him over the loono
planks.
He crossed the bridge and panted M
the second hill. As he reached its TIM
the wind from the sea struck cold on
his sweating forehead and brought to
his ears the sound Of shouting. There
were lights In the upper windows OF
the houses be passed. Jonadab Wixon
thrust tousled head from the win
dow of his bedroom and hailed, asking
what was the matter.
Captain Titcomb could see the clus-
ter of buildings at the landing plainly
now and the masts Of the catboats
alongside the wharf. The water Of
the harbor was black except In one
spot There the Diving Belle lay In
a Pickering halo OF red light Little
jets of fame were shooting up from
her hull amidships. The smell OF
burning wood come on the wind.
Lem Mullett, the livery stable keep
bling in the middle of the narrow road.
He seized the captain by the arm as
the latter overlook him.
How d-how'd-she git-afireY" he
gasped.
Captain Titcomb did not answer. His
eyes were fixed on the burning schoon-
er, and he pushed Mr.. Mullett out Of
the way and ran ON.
Just as he reached the bend by New
combs fish house huddle of men.
some with overcoats and hats and 9TH
ers bareheaded and half dressed, rush.
ed wildly around the corner Of the
building. The captains shoulder struck
the foremost man a blow in the chest
that knocked him backward.
Ugh! Oww grunted the man. Then
he cried: Hey? Is that you, Capn
EzT
The captain was fighting his way
through. Let me byy' he shouted.
Cit out OF my wayv'
Some obeyed, but others did not,
There were confused cries Of "Htou
,imv' Don't let him gov' He was
;eized by the arm. The crowd cloaed
about him.
Don't let me gov roared the captain.
striking right and left. who'll stop
ne? Are you crazy? Parker, BY thun-
Ter. I'll Alvin Bearse. take your
lands off mer'
But Alvin held tight. "Cap'n Ex." he
Headed. listen! Listen Jest q minutel
fou mustn't go OF to her. Ira, hold his
'ther arm"
Overpowered and held fast, the be.
vildered captain gazed at the faces
him. For the Lords
akew he cried. You towards! Are
on goin' to let her burn up without
ftin' hand? What are you sfandins
ere for? Why amt you aboard your
hip, Alvin Bearse? Did you set hen
fire yourself? Let me go! Tlr'-
He struggled frantically. "Cap'n H."
loaded Alvin, listen to me. The dy-
antics aboard-the dynamfter'
Captain Titcomb stopped struggling.
he dynamite in the hold! He had for
often IL entirely. That was why No