The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-20
THE ISLE OF DEAD SHIPS
CRTTTENDEN MARRIOTT

sea, where there are supposed 70 be
thousands Of dereDcts. the cOmbingS OF
the North Atlantic for 100 years. say
supposed because nobody has even seen
them but there isn't much C.oubt about
it,
jackson laughed scornfully.
What are you sivin' usg' he demand
ed incredulOusly.
Dorothy turned to him.
It's all true she cOrrOborated, with
a catch in her voice. only yesterday
ATr.. Sprigg told me about 1t de was
wishing for a chance TO explore the
place, poor fellow And now She
broke on and turned to Howard isn't
there any chance at all OF our being
picked up?' she asked
Howard shook his head
None, 1 fear he answered gently.
7 am sOrTy, Miss Fairfax, more sOTry
than I can say; but fear we shall be
on this wreck OF on another for weeks
and months 10 come. SO Ear as I can
see now we can do nothing till we reach
the central wreckage. There We may
find a boat or the tools to build one
ours are far under Water-or some other
way 10 escape
1T VIII be desperately hard to wait;
to drift deeper and deeper into this
tanasIe day after day, hoping that things
worst but it's all We can do. Mean
while We can thank God that we have
food, drink, and comfortable shelter.
ana we are on our way 20 see what
no one has ever seen before and return
ed 70 tell il. Let's make the best of
The best OF it,, Jaczson-s face was
tempestuous and HIS eyes distended.
The best OF itr' he VOCiferated nv
heaven, it's well for you to zap. You're
all right here You're safe from the
wait and wait But how about us2
How about me? How about my wife
and children
IT'S. hard Howard assented. IT'S
= I'D ErH#
BAIL You're lying to u.s. You're 2
sailor and can get US out Of this. II
YOU viii You don't want 10 get our
You hope that you'll get a chance TO
escape but. By heaven, you Sha'n'tr I'll
xii you first Before heaven ! vIIIt''
Il your duty TO do sOr' Howard
spoke quietly. but spot Of red gIowed
on each cheek. TT is your duty to KIN
me rather than let me escape Rr1r II
IS not your duty to insult me: that I
permit no man 70 do. I warn you not
10 repeat your OffenSe-
For the rest. Miss Fairfax. there Is
some reason in what this man Save
me catastrophe which has brought
oeaIn 70 so many, and suffering. both
past ana future, 10 YOU. has saved me
an safe from. the electric chair. ANY
where else IN the wide world 1 would
have 20 shrink from every casual
glance would have 10 lie in answer TO
e!veTy Wanton question But no extra
oltion runs 10 the heart Of the Sarzasso
sea 80 II might seem natural that I
should wish to stay mere. in SO far
our eXcltabie friend is right But I
give you my word OF honor. not as a
1aliDlrd but as the gentleman I once
was II al am even more anxious to
get out OF here than yourself. 7 have
sJill task TO do in the world; my view
IS not entirely bounded by the electric
chair II any fsintest chance Offers
Tor us 10 escape from here be sure
that viii seize IT. But L am heIDless
until We reach the central wrecks and
see what aid they have 20 offer. Then
viii DO what q man may
I 90 not promise 70 go on 20 New
ork with Jackson but I DO promise
10 get you and him safely out Of this
place, II q is within my power to DO so
and I believe II VIII be. Say that you
believe me-
Il was impossible not 10 believe this
clear eyed straight spoken gentlemen.
convicted murderer though he Were
Dorothy held out her hand.
I believe you she said. and I trust
Howard looked at the hand doubtfuIIy.
he suggested
Then well put Il IN" returned the
girl As for what you have done in the
past-I have forgotten IL We viii all
forget it'll then
SO be it'll rhent''
The hands Of the two met But Jack
son. standing aside. Erunted scOrufuIIy.
TIL not forget st." he growled. Not
for a single minute. not TIL I get you
10 New York I've known your smooth
spoken sort before"
CThe Continuation % This story VIII