Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-10-29
CHATTER XVII

s the sun slanted up between
"a the southwark hills out FROM
'HM the gossamer haze that lay
C like ilmy forest smoke above
the ocean came snow white yacht
To Boyd Emerson she seemed like an
angel OF mercy. and he stood forth
upon the deck OF his launch searching
her hungri,y for the sight Of wo-
mans figure. when he had Grst seen
the ship rounding the point he had
uttered a cry. then fallen silent watch
Ing her rs she drew near. needless OF
his surroundings. His heart was leap
ing; his breath was choking him. IL
seemed as n no must shout Mildred's
name aloud aud stretch his arms out
to her or course she would see him
as the Grundc Dame passed She would
be looking for him. he knew She
would bc standing there. wet with the
dew. searching with all her eyes.
Doubtless she had waited patiently az
her post from the instant land came
into sight Seized by a sudden panic
lest she pass him unnlticed. ne order
ca his launch near tho yachts course
His eyes rovcd over the craft. but all
he saw were q uniformed officer upon
the bridge and the bronzed faces OF
tho watch staring over the rail- lie
saw close drawn curtains over the cab
In windows. indicating that the passen-
gers were still asleep. Then as he
stood there heavy hearted. dropping
With fatigue, his wet body chilled by
the mornings breath. the Grqnde
Dame glided past. and hc found the
shell beneath his feet rocking In her
wake.
George Bait hailed him and brough
HIS own launch alongside.
what craft II that he inquired
"She Is the compony's yacht with
the y. A. L. 4. officers aboard"
some OF our boys is hurt pretty
bad" he observed. "I'vc told them TO
take In their nets ana 20 back TO the
plant"
I'VE all need breakfast"
Il don't want nothing. I'm going
over o. the trap"
Emerson shrugged his shoulders list
lessly; he was very tired. What Is
the use? II won't pay us 20 lift IT,"
1--WE watched thar point OF land FOR
five years. aud I never seen fish act
this way before" Bait growlcd stub
bornly. IF they don't strike 10 to-
! day we better close down. MarSh's men
cut half our nets and crippled more
than half our crew last night" He be-
Ean 90 rumble curses. SAY. we made
4 mistake the other day. didn't we7
Wed ought 10 have put that Teller
away. IL amt too late yet"
wait. Wayne Wayland Is aboard
that yacht | know him. He's hard
man, and I've heard strange stories
about him. but don't believe be
knows all that Marsh has been doing.
, I'm going 20 see him and tell him
; everything"
"S'pose he turns you DOWN."
Then there viii be time enough to
to consider what you suggest. / don't
| Ike 70 think about IT,"
you don't have to" said Bait. low
ering his voice so that the helmsmen
could not hear. I've been thinking IL
over all night, and il looks like ia
ought 10 do IL myself Marsh is com
| Ing TO me anyhow. and-I'm older than
you be. IL amt right for young fell
! Ter like you 10 take chance. II they
get me you can run the business
alone"
Boyd laid his hand on his compan-
ions shoulder.
NO" he said. perhaps I wouldn't
stick az murder-I don't know. But
won't profit by another mans crime,
and IL II comes to that I'll take my
share OF the risk and the guilt What
ever you do. / stand with you. But
Wen hope for better things. It's no
easy thing for me TO go 10 Mr.. Way
| land asking a favor You see. his
daughter Is Well. IL want TO see
her very badly"
Bait eyed him shrewdly.
II see! And that makes Il dead
wrong for you to take a hand II it's
necessary to get Marsh TIL do it alone.
With him out OF the way | think You
can make a go OF it. He's like a rat
tler-somebody's got to stomp OF him.
Now I'm of for the trap. Let me
know what the old man says"
Boyd returned TO the cannery with
| the old mood Of self disgust and bitter
ness heavy upon him lie realized that
| Georges offer 70 commit murder had
not shocked him as much as upon its
first mention. He knew that he had
thought OF shedding human blood with
al little conjunction as II the intend
ed victim bad been some noxious ami
NAL. He felt. indeed. that If his love
for Mildred made him a criminal she.
too. would be soilcd by his dishonor.
and for her sake he shrank from the
Idea OF violence. yet he lacked the
energy at that time to put It from him.
Wen. he would 20 to her father. hum
Bile himself and beg for protection. II
he failed then Marsh must look out for