The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-30

1NER the wardroom of the VOL
VERNE had fallen silence. 1t
HUI held after Slade had finished.
III Captain Parkinson, stiff aud
erect In his chair, staring fixedly at n
spot two feet above the reporters head
seemed to weigh as judge weighs the
facts so picturesquely set forth. Dr.
Trendon, his sturdy frame half In
shadow, had slouched' far down into
himself. Only the regard of his keen
eyes fixed upon SHADES face unwaver-
lngly and a bit anxiously showed that
he was thinking of the narrator rs
well as Of the narrative. The others
had fallen completely under the spell
Of the tale. They sat as children In n
| theater, absorbed. forgetful of the
world around them, wrapped in more
vivid element, At the close they stir
red and bllnked. half dazed by the alb
rupt fall of the curtain.
| Slade had told his story with fire
with something of passion even. Now
| le felt the sharp reflex. lie muttered
uncertainty beneath his breath and
glanced from one TO another of the cir
cled faces.
That's all" he said unsteadly.
There passed through the group a
itir aud a murrnur. Some one broke
nto sharp coughing Chairs. showed
back. grated on the floor.
well. of all the extraordinary he
gan voice ruminatingly and broke off
short as IL abashed at Its own infrac-
lion of the silence.
That's ALL" repeated Slade. note
Of insistence in his voice. why don't
you say something? Confound YOU.
why don't you say somethingT Ills
speech rose husky and cracked. Don't
you believe it,"
Hold on" said the surgeon quietly.
NO need TO get excited"
"Oh. we'll" muttered the reporter.
with a sudden lapse. possibly you
think I'm romancing. II doesn't mat
ter l don't suppose I'd believe 1t my
self in your place" 81.
But we're heading for the island"
suggested Forsythe.
That's So" cried Slade. We'll.
that's all right. Believe or dlsbelieve
as much as you like. Only get Percy
have his version. There are few
things | want 10 find ont about. my
self"
There are several that promise TO be
fairly interesting" said Forsythe I'M
der his breath. " -rrff
Slade turned TO the captain. "Iave
you any questions to put TO me. sir?'
he asked formally.
"Just one moment" interrupted
Trendon. boy. pony of brandy for
Mr. Slade."
The reporter drank the liquor and
again turned TO Captain Parkinson.
"Only about our men," said the COM
handing officer after little thought.
Slade shook his head.
'I'm sorry can't help you there. sir"
"Dr Trendon said that you knew
nothing about Edwards"
Edwards repeated Slade inquir
ingly. His mind, still absorbed in the
events which he had been relating.
CROPPED backward.
W HIS anu.
asked you about him. you remember.
1t was when you recovered conscious
ness. Our ensign. Took over charge
Of the Laughing Lass"
fancy"
I'VE put Mr.. Edwards aboard when
we first picked up the deserted schoon-
err" explained the captain.
Pardon me-" said the other. MY
head doesn't seem to work quite right
yet. Just moment. please" He sat
silent. with closed eyes. you say you
picked up the Laughing Lass. When
he asked presently.
"Four-five-slx days ago, the first |
time
Then you put out the fire?'
The circle closed in on Slade. with |
an unconscious hitching forward of
chairs. lie had fixed his eyes on the |
captain. His mouth worked. Obvi- |
ously he was under a tensity Of en-
deayor in keeping his faculties set to
the problem. The surgeon watched
him, frowning.
There was no fire." said the cap
tain.
Slade leaped in his chair. mo fire.
But | saw her. / tell you. When
went overheard she was one living |
famew
You landed in the small boat |
Knocked you senseless," Said Trendon.
Conclusion of the brain. Idea NJ |
flame might have been a retroactive |
Authorization"
Retroactive rot" cried the other. Il |
beg your pardon. DR.. Trendon, but II |
YOU'D seen her as | saw her. Bar
nett"
He turned in appeal to his old ac-
quaintance.
There was no fire, Slade," replied |
the executive officer gently. NO sign