The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-15

For she knew at last that she loved this man, and that it did not much mat ter to her if he were a baronet or q bootblack. She realized that 1t wouid be impossible to keep away from him until the end of the voyage. If she had been on land. she would have fled from the danger that confronted her. But here there was no escape. Every day she would have to see him and hear the sound of his voice. She was afraid, and trembled at the thought of his presence. Yet she .longed for the touch of his hand. for his kisses. for the prison of his strong arms She was no longer the daughter of ( tradesman scheming for a title and historic home in Wales, but woman who was capable of sacrificing herself on the burning altar of love.
 The next day she appeared at break. fast. and became the centre of sym pathizing group of women. who i'm quired maliciously after her health. knowing well enough that her indis- position was due to no bodily ailment She was courteously rude to all of them. and before lunch she was sitting in deck-chair by the side of Sir Richard Gaunt who was whispering passionate apologies in her ear.
 The end of this sordId and pitiful romance was not far to seek. Sir Richard Gaunt was a man who had hardly, ever failed to score in the game of love. If his talent for stratagem and quiet persistence had been diverted into worthier channels, he would have won a high place In the diplomatic world. He pursued his prey with the relentless tenacity of a hunter. who knows that success depends on care ful attention to the minutest details.
 nj nd or4a still night. as the Santigan slipped smooth ly through the Red Sea and left a wake of white foam behind her.
 The two were sitting together in a sheltered corner near the stern of the vessel It was after 10 o'clock and a dark night. Not a star was visible overhead. for a thick fog had risen up from the water and 1t was impossible to see a hundred yards in any direc- tion. A dance was-- in progress. and most of the passengers were below, for 1t was not a night to finger on deck.
 And then he pleaded to her. and she listened to the burning words as they came from his lips. and she did not shrink from him as he held her in his arms and covered her face with pas sionate kisses. All power of resist ance had gone from her. Gaunt already saw victory within his grasp.
 put GOu tAf1u QtCESSu OtuNTWlSt. nS mans voice had died away into silence and he waited for the answer to his pleading. But before the words that would have sealed her fate could rise to her trembling lips there came a sharp order from the bridge of the great ship, and then. far below in the engine room, the faint clang of a bell. At the same time a fiery-red eye glow ed out of the mist on the starboard bow
 Then Gaunt heard the shouts of men, and, leaning over the side of the vessel, he saw something small and dark ahead of them. Then he discerned the mast head lights of little steamer and her green starboard light as she altered her course. She looked like a mere toy boat beside the great bulk of the liner.
 We shall smash them to splinters!" he cried The girl chung to his arm and peered over the rail. There was another ring down in the engine-room. and the liner again altered her course.
 But she turned slowly, and, as she did so, the captain of the other vessel lost his head, and made an error of Judgment which cost his own life and resulted in one of the most appalling catastrophies that have even been known In the history of the sea. He saw that the long and unwieldy liner i, was turning but slowly. and. trusting in the speed and nimbleness of his own little craft, he tried to pass her on her starboard side. But he had either mis