The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-26

she claspeds my arm. 1; Is;
I'VE do not believe In ghosts. Mr.
1 stephens, yoa and i. her voice grow
ling 3ffmer with conviction. Our edu
cation and training make such con
ception Impossible. There;is a natural
cause for this, reason, an actual
presence back Of the shadow There
must be, and we must find It. Where
did you stand when you saw this ap
partition =? s:
III stepped back to the spot beside
the stove, realizing that she still clune
tightly TO me.
Here. aud ] lifted my eyes like
this" Il
She leaned eagerly forward. her
breath on my cheek, her fingers clutch
Ing my arm.
"Why-why that is a mirror sou are
looking into! See! What Is It re-
fected there? Turn UP the light until
\ / locate the spot. Oh, | see now-the
open pantry door. Mr.. Stephens, there
is where your ghost stood-it was the
shadow OF man reflected in that
mirror"
Our eyes met, all my former terror
fed, shame and anger dominating me
"Dade!" r vs.
1T might be-certainly some one
who sought in that way 10 terrorlze
officers and crew. and thus compel
them to turn back. Whoever 1t was,
he killed Mr.. futile, and now seeks to
accomplish the same end with you
What are you going to do?'
.Trace him down. The last time
the fellow went directly from here to
the torecastle. There must be a
passageway from stem 10 stern"
She caught me as l turned, her gray
eyes wide with apprehension.
You will take me with you?"
THAT will be impossible, Lady Oar
lfngton. know nothing regarding
this passage amidships. but 1t must
surely lead through the coal bunkers
and the engine room"
"But-but cannot let YOU 90
alone" utterly forgetting to conceal
her agitation. Truly. could not bear
70 do 1t Whoever this man may be
he will become desperate when cor.
nered Your very life will be In dan
ger"
'And you really care?" my hand
clasping hers, my eyes eagerly search
Ing the gray depths.
Z. "Yes, / care" making no effort TO
free herself; why should l not?
Think what our condition would be II
you we're not on board. Yet that is
not all; care because value your
life, your friendship. Little as | can
do. let me. at least, be near YOU"
you are near me" said |. utterly
forgetful OF circumstances in the sud
den rush Of passion. always near me,
because my thoughts are with you. my
sole purpose in life to serve you"
The gray eyes fell instantly; the
clasping hand was withdrawn and
pressed to her forehead.
IL will try to do us You wish"
she faltered, but are you armed"
Not now, but will get revolver
| from nv staterooln. First, let me
help you TO your cabin"
She permitted my guidance without
a word Of protest, only glancins once
up into my face us she put a question.
you will return here? you will let
me know at once what you discover?
Promise me this" y
a promise; and more. ] will pledge
myself to be cautious, SO do not
worry"
procured my revolver. turned the
light low once more In the main cabin.
and then stole silently into the narrow
pnsSageway leading forward. There
was no light In the pantry, but the
faint reflection from the cabin enabled
me to distinguish the more prominent
outlines A form luy outstretched oil
a locker, and bent over It silently.
II was Dade, curled up on his side and
sound asleep. There WAS no doubt
about the reality Of his slumber; the
fellow was not shamming. and ] drew
back, leaving him undiStnrbed. The
alley.way leading forward was en-
tremely narrow, yet OF height sufii.
cient to. afford comparatively easy
passage had 1t only been lighted. Sud,
denly faint glow appeared ahead,
and moment later slipped eau.
tlously through q small bulkhead door
standing ajar, into a low, square room,
containing six hunks arranged In tiers
Of two. A slush lamp swung from Il
blackcned beam, and various articles
of wearing apparel dansled from
hooks. ] peered into the hunks, dis.
covering three occupied, the uncon'
scious sleepers being Cooky. the
smooth.faced Chilean. and the gunner,
Swede named Gustafson. None
awoke under my scrutiny, although
the Chilean was talking In his sleep
and threshing his arms about as IL In
nightmare. l bent down, looking at
him more closely, attracted by some.
thing oddly familiar In the upturned
features. BY all the gods, the fellow
was Lieut.. Juan Sanchez, his
long mustaches shaven, and look,
Ing ten years younger! It was so odd
a thing, this sudden renewal Of q con-
troversy originating thousands OF
leagues away. that !. nearly laughed
outright. forgetting for the instant the
serious purpose bringing ME there.
Yet this surprising discovery OF