Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-10-22

one at fault. Oh, nau TO get away!
I have papers here that must be deliv-
cred quickly" She laid a hand upon
her bosom. "They couldn't be trusted
to the unsettled mail service. It's al
most life and death. And assure
you there is no need Of putting me In
quarantine. haven't the smallpox.
wasn't even exposed to it"
"There's nothing else to do" said
Stephens. "I'll isolate you in the deck
smoking cabin. God knows what these
madmen on board will do when they
hear about 1t. though. They're apt to
tear you to shreds They're crazy"
Glenister had been thinking rapidly.
If you do that. you'll have mutiny
in an hour. This isn't the crowd to
stand that sort Of thing"
bah! Let 'em try 1t. I'll put 'em
down." The officers square jaws
clicked.
maybe so; but what then? We
reach Nome and the health inspector
hears Of smallpox suspects then we're
all Ylarantined for thirty days; 500
of us. We'll lie at Egg island all sum-
mer while your company pays five
thousand day for this ship. That's
not all. The firm is liable in damages
for your carelessness in letting disease
aboard"
"My carelessness!" The old man
ground his teeth.
YES; that's what it amounts to.
You'll ruin your owners, all right.
You'll tie up your ship and lose your
Job, that's cinch!"
Captain Stephens wiped the moisture
from his brow angrily.
"My carelessness! Curse you-you
say it we'll! Don't you realize that 1
am criminally liable if l don't take
every precaution?" He paused for a
moment, considering. "Ill hand her
over to the ships doctor"
"See here, now" Glenlster urged.
well be in Nome in week-before
the young lady would have time to
show symptoms of the disease, even
if she were going to have it-and a
thousand to one She hasn't been ex-
posed and will never show trace of
1t. Nobody knows she's aboard but we
three. Nobody will see her get off
She'll stay i'll this cabin, which will be
just as efrectual as though you isolated
her in any other part of the boat 1t
will avoid panic-you'll save your
ship and your company-nobody will
be the wiser-then if the girl comes
down with smallpox after she gets
ashore she can go to the pesthouse and
not jeopardiZc the health of all the
people aboard this ship. You go w
forrad to your bridge, sir, and forget
that you stepped in to see old Bill
| Dextry this morning. Well take care
| Of this matter all right. 1t means as
| much to us as it does to you. We've
/. got to be on Anvil creek before the
ground thaws or We'll lose the Midas
| If you make fuss you'll ruin us all.
| For some moments they watched
him breathlessly as he frowned in In
| decision, then:
! You'll have to look out for the
| steward" he said, and the girl sank tc
| stool while two great tears rollet
f, down her cheeks. The captains eyes
+! softened, and his voice was gentle as
| he laid his hand on her head.
Don't feel hurt over what l said
miss. You see appearances don't tel
much hereabouts-most of the pretty
| ones are no good, They've fooled mt
many a time. and made mistake
| These men will help you through.
! can't. Then when you get to Nome
make your sweetheart marry You thu
day you land. You are two far nortl
| to be alone"
He stepped out into tho passage ar,
| closed the door carefully.
ITO be continued)