Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-04-25


fierce, like a beast brought to bay, hs
looked around him. The light Of one
or two swinging lamps that had not
yet been shattered revealed dinly the
surroundings, the dark leather MP
holstering, the little tables. Uncer-
tainly the convict paused; then sud
denly his eyes frightened; the lustful
anticipation of the drunkard who had
long been denied shone from his gaze
as 1t rested on sideboard across the
cabin.
.Bottlesr' he said, steadying himself
"Rum Well, / guess there Amt
much chance for any Of us, and
mans a fool to go to hell thirstyp
He had started toward the sideboard4
with its bright cleaning ware and it's
divers and sundry receptacles OF spir-
its and liqueurs, when suddenly his
look changed and his jaw fell.
'sWhat tho A flow Of choice bill
lingsgate, mingled with the sailors
equally eloquent Golden Gate, COM
pleted the sentence The convict stood
stock still.
From the door Of stateroom at tho
far end of the cabin a figure appeared.
A great shawl draped the small form.
The golden hair, furry Of tangles,
hoated around it. Cllnging to brass
rail that ran along the side OF the
cabin, sbe approached, her eyes all
alight as If well satisfied with some
thing Amazed beyond power Of ac-
tion, the man continued to gaze at her,
at the tiny feet In the little pink slip
pers, at something she carried. BY
the great horn spoon, the Christmas
dollF' he muttered hoarsely. Then,
forgetting his purpose, the bottles, he
lurched quickly toward her.
"W'at you doin' here?" he demand-
ed.
II slipped out" said the child, hold
ing the rail tighter as perforce she
paused to answer. II thought IL
would take only moment"
"Slipped out?' he repeated.
''Of the lifeboat, 1 mean. 1t was
dark, and they didn't see me. just
happened to think, and l had to do 1t.
If I'd told them they migh.H't have let
me- 1t would have been very wicked
If ia gone away and forgotten. Don't
you think SO? And now I'm going
back. Only / am afraid I've been
longer than l thought | would be.
The door Of my stateroom seemed to
stick, and was few minutes getting
it open"
Beneath disheveled masses Of thick
dark hair the british face continued
to study the fairylike one. For the
instant words seemed to fail him.
do you mean,n he observed, you
come back here for that measly dicky
bird7"
'.It isn't measly, and it isn't dicky
birdr' she answered Indignantly. And
I'll thank you not to call it that. It's
a love bird, and It's name is Dearie.''
"Deariel Ho, hol'' The ship reeled
at dangerous angle, but the convict
appeared not to notice. His voice
rose In harsh, irresistible rough-merri-
ment. "Deariel And she thanks me
not to call it namesl 1t! No bigger'n
my thumbi Ho, hoP' His laughter,
strange at such moment, died abb
ruptly. do you know what you've
gone and done. on account Of what's
in that eager" he demanded, almost
iercely. you've got leftl"
"Leftr' said she blankly, shrinking
from him a little. you don't mean
Oh, thought l would be only a min.
ute! They haven't really gone snd'--
The great fingers closed on her arm,
They've gone, and the crews gone!
Both boats are gonei"
'sOhp The big blue eyes widened
on him, and an inkling Of her plight
seemed to come over her. Her lips
trembled, but she held herself brave
| ". "You mean we must drownT
The thunder Of seas breaking on the
deck answered. A cascade Of water
dashed down the companionway and
swept round them. The man bent
toward the child. "Look a. that
Now. amt We sorrysye come baekr'
II couldn't leave it to drownp-pas.
sionately- couldn't -couldn'tr
BLOW me, she's gamer' With din.
Guilty he maintained his equilibrium
"See herei Maybe there's chance II
any Of them's left to help with the
raft. But we've got to git out O
thisP'
He passed his hand through her arm
awaited a favorable moment, and then
making a dash for the stairs, drew
her as best he might to the deck.
t OF living man he caught no sight
Only a single one Of the dead yet re
mained, sliding about on the slipper!
lplanks with the movement OF the ship
now to leeward, now rushing in con
trary direction, as IL some grotesQu
spirit OF life yet animated the darh
shapelsss form.
From wave washed decks the man.
glance turned TO the sea. EuddenI
he started, his eyes straining. q
stared hard. maybe they've misse
you. One Of the ships boats seem
headin this wayF'
Are they coming back to save us
asked the child.
s. The convict did not answer. Coul
the boat make the ship, could 1t hor
to, in that seat Undoubtedly no.
aPnt yer arms round my mech, " sal
the man, STOPPING.
she put one Of them around, wit
the other held up the cage He opel
ed the door of the wickeFwork priso
and a tiny thing few out. Then