The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-06-11
!. Half a
Chance
By FREDERIC S. ISHAM,
Author Of 1.-THE Strollefs. :" ''Un.
der the Rose. 1.-THE Lady
Of tho Mount" Etc.
Copyrights. 1909, BY the Bohbs.
Merrill Company.
TCoNTINUED.1

[CoNTINUED:l
From the door Of stateroom at the
far end of the cabin figure appeared.
A great shawl draped the small form.
The golden hair, furry Of tansles.
aoated around it. Clinging to brass
rail that ran along the side of the
cabin. she approached, her eyes all
alight as if we'll satisfied with some
thing. Amazed beyond power Of &C
ton, 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
doll" he muttered hoarsely. Then.
forgetting his purpose. the bottles. be
lurched quickly toward her.
wat you dom here?" he demand
ed.
II slipped out" said the child, hold
ing the rail tighter as perforce she
paused to answer. II thought i,
would take only moment
Skipped out?" be repeated,
"Of the lifeboat. mean. 1t was
dark. and they didn't see me. l just
happened to think. and had to do IT,
If Id told them they mightn't have le,
me. 1t would have been very wicked
If I'd 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 stateroon seemed to
stick and | was few minutes getting
it open"
dark hair the british face continued
to study the fairylike one. For the
instant words seemed to fail him
do you mean," he observed. you
come back here for that measly dicky
bird?"
1T isn't measly. and it isn't a dicky
Bird" she answered Indignantly. And
III thank you not to call it that. It's
a love bird. and it's name is Dearie''
"Dearie: 10. ho!" The ship reeled
at a dangerous angle. but the convict
appeared not to notice. His voice
rose in harsh. irresistible rough merri-
ment. "Dearie! And she thanks me
not to call it names! 1t! No biggern
my thumb! Ho, ho" his laughter.
strange at such moment. died. alb
ruptly. do you know what you've
gone and done on account Of what's
In that cage?" be demanded. almost
fiercely. you've got left"'
"Left!' said she blankly. shrinking
from him a little. You don't mean
Oh. thought would be only min
ute! They haven't really gone and
The great fingers closed on her arm.
They've gone. and the crews gone!
Both boats are gone"
"Oh" The big blue eyes widened
on him, and an 1nkiing Of her plight
seemed to come over her. Her lips
rembled. but she held herself brave
ly. "You mean we must drownY'
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 ye sorry ye come back?"
II couldn't leave it to drownr'-pas-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"Blow me. she's gamer With diff
Guilty he maintained his equilibrium.
"See here! Maybe there's a chance II
any OF them's left to help with the
raft But we've got to git out O.
this!'
He passed his hand through her arm,
awaited favorable moment. and then,
making a dash for the stairs, drew
her as best he might to the deck.
OF living man he caught no sight.
Only single one of the dead yet re-
NAMED. sliding about on the slippery
planks with the movement of the ship,
now to leeward. now rushing In a con-
trary direction, as If some. grotesque
spirit OF life yet animated the dark.
ehapeless form.
From wave washed decks the mans
glance turned to the sea. Suddenly
he started, his eyes straining. He
stared hard. Maybe they've missed
you. One Of the ships boats seems
headin' this wayw
Are they coming back to save us7'
asked the child.
The convict did not answer. Could
the boat make the ship, could it hope
to, In that sea? Undoubtedly no.
Put yer arms round my neck" said
the man, STOPPING.
She put one of them around, with
the other held up the cage. He open
ed the door of the wickerwork prison
and tiny thing flew out. Then he
Strengthened. Both arms were around
him now.
"'Fraid?" he whispered hoarsely.
The child shook her head. .,.
An instant he waited, then launched
himself forward. Buffeted hither and
thither, he made a fierce fight for the
rail, reached it and leaped far out into
the seething waters. ,
CHAPTER III.
AN UNAPPREc1ArED BOUNTY.
IN the prime Of his belliperent m.