Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-01


captain got anything out of him but II
growing and unintelligible express
sions, which seemed to be objurgatory i
and to express bewildered cogitation.
How long had poor Timmins been
drowned?" the captain had asked him, Il
and Trendon replied:
Captain Parkinson, the man wasn't !,
drowned. No water in his lungs"
Not drowned! Then how came he .
by his death:'
IF l We're to diagnose it under any !
other conditions 1 should say that he !
had inhaled flames"
Then the two men stared at each |
| other in blank impotency. Meantime !
the scarecrow was showing signs of re-.
turning consciousness, and a message
was dispatched for the physician On
| his way he met Barnett, who asked
| and received permission to accompany
| him. The stranger was tossing rest
| lessly in his bunk, opening and shut
ting his parched mouth in silent, pite-
| Gus appeal for the water that must
| still be dOled to him parsimoniously.
Il think I'll try him with little
brandy" said Trendon and sent for
the liquor.
10 Barnett raised the patient while the
surgeon held the glass to his lips. The
mans hand rose, wavered and clasped
the glass.
"All right, my friend. Take it your
self, if you like" said Trendon
The fingers closed. TREMENDOUSLY held.
the little glass tilted and ratified
against the teeth. There was one deep,
eager spasm of swallowing. Then the
fevered eyes opened upon the face of
the Wolverines first officer.
"ProSit, Barnett said the man in
a voice like the rasp of rusty metal
Tile navy man Strengthened up as
from blow under the jaw
"Be careful what you are about"
warned Trendon. addressing his supe-
rior officer sharply, for Barnett had all
but let his charge drop. His face was
q puckered mask of amaze and mere
dulity.
Did you hear him speak my name
or am dreaming?" he half whispered
Heard him plain enough. Who is
heT
The mans mouth closed, but he
smiled a little-a singular, wry mouth
ed, winning smile. With that there
sprung from behind the brush of
beard, filling out the deep lines of
emaciation. a memory to the recogni-
ton of Barnett-a keen and gay cOun-
tenance that whisked him back across
seven years time to the days of Dewey
and the Philippines.
Ralph Slade, by the Lordr' he ex-
claimed.
"Of the Laughing Lass?" cried Tren-
don.
"Of the Laughing Lass"
Such Il fury of eagerness burned in
the face of Barnett that Trendon eau
you're not going to fire broadside of
disturbing questions at my patient yet
awhile. He's in no condition"
But it was from the other that the
questions came. Opening his eyes he
whispered: THE sailor? Where?"
/ Dead" said Trendon bluntly. Then
breaking his own rule of repression, he
u asked:
Did he come off the schooner with
: your
picked him up" was the straining
y answer Drifting"
j.. The survivor looked around him,
= then into Barnett's face, and his mind
!. too. traversed the years.
, North Dakota?" he queried.
l. mo. I've changed my ship" said
L Barnett. This is the Wolverine"
;, where's the Laughing LassT
= Barnett shook his head.
> 'Tell me-" begged Slade.
"Wait till you're stronger" admon
l. ished Trendon.
:, Cant wait" said the weak voice
The eyes grew wild.
y Mr. Barnett, tell him the bare out
line and make it short" said the sur
geon.
I'VE sighted the Laughing Lass two
= days ago She was In good shape, bu
- deSerted-that is, we thought she was
- deserted"
- The man nodded eagerly.
~ 81 suppose you were aboard" sale
:. Barnett, and TrendoR made a quicl
gesture of Impotence and rebuke.
= NO" said Slade. left three-fou
: The officers looked at each other
- GO on" said Trendon to his com
a panion.
20 1--WE put a crew aboard in command
"a of an ensign" continued Barnett, "an'
10 picked up the schooner the next night
ar deserted. You must know about II
,s Where is Billy EdwardsT'
Never heard of him." whispered tn
lv other.
ar Gives and Mcclure, then. They wer
r there after Great God, man, h
a cried, his agitation breaking out. ''Pul
,t yourself together! Give us somethin
id to go on"
f ''Mr. Barnett" said the surgeon pei
le emptorily.
" But the suggestion was working i
IS the sick mans brain. He turned t
II the officers a face of horror.
q Your man, Edwards-the crew
le they left her? In the nightT'
n what does he mean?" cried Bal
,o nett