Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-12-22

was as big as hers. aud none. she knew,
could possibly overtake her. She re-
volved the situation in her mind. Evil
IDENTITY Shaw had glanced out of the
hotel window at Il time when the
landscape was illumined by lightning,
had seen her making for the boat
house. had surmised that she had over
heard the conversation and then at-
tempted to stop her.
Lucy turned on the electric search
light. Powerful as it was, it pierced
only a short distance through the
gloom. By little pocket compass she
guided her course for the opposite
landing. The waves buffeted her
frightfully, the wind and rain tore her
and dashed her cheeks, but still she
kept on.
When about halfway across she be-
gan to ring the submarine signaling
bell attached to the boat. Almost in
stantly she received an answer from
the landing for which she was making.
A few signals showed her that it was
Strong and that he understood the sit
L
repeating three words-"I love you;
love you"
Even in the frightful gloom in the
heart of the storm Lucy felt the blood
course into her cheeks. Never before
had Strong said these words to her.
''Stop! You must not say it," Lucy
signaled.
81 will say it." came the answer. 81
love you; l love you"
In a few moments Strong's signal
changed.
"I can see your searchlight," he sig
nailed. go Slow
Soon Lucy was able to make out the
lights on the landing. A few moments
more and she was almost up to the
boathouse. She saw Strong standing
on the extreme edge of the pier. Three
husky men were standing idly near
him in attitudes which presaged ac-
ton. Frantically Strong waved at her.
Lucy understood him and, instead of
making for the landing, threw the
steering wheel swiftly over. 1t was
evident that should she make land
IuS the lurte uleu WOuiu nOI dliOW INC
boat to leave.
When the boat presented broadside
to the landing Strong suddenly leaped
into the water. The men ran for him,
but they were too late. He swan
sturdily to Lucy and in a moment
climbed over the side. Lucy set the
nose of the boat for the home shore,
and the little vessel forged into the
darkness.
Strong held out his arms to Lucy.
"Dear hearth he said.
Don't: there's no time" cried Lucy.
1--WE must work if we are to get back.
The winds changed. It's dead against
us. The waves are higher"
Even as she spoke the gasoline en-
CINE missed fire several times. Strong
devoted his attention to it, while Lucy
was kept busy at the wheel. For an
eternity, it seemed to Lucy, they bat
tied with the elements. Then dimly
she saw the lights of the hotel.
''Put out your searchlight," said
Strong, land make landing down
there on the beach about 300 yards
1IOLQ Tue uOlcl. 4ASJ IL NC Waiting ~NA
us at the dock"
Lucy obeyed him. At length they
came near enough to the shore to drop
anchor. Strong climbed over the side
of the boat and. carrying Lucy, waded
to the shore. In silence they toiled up
the hill to the hotel and made their en-
trance unobserved through side door.
Lucy ran to her room to secure
warm, dry clothes, while Strong, wet
and disheveled as he was, went
straight to the room where the direct
ors were meeting.
An hour or so later. after the storm
had subsidized and the meeting was
over, Strong and Lucy met on the
veranda. No one was near them.
"You brought me back just in time, !"
said Strong. Then he stretched OUT
his arms. st love you" he said.
"And | love you," replied Lucy as
she resigned herself to his embrace.