Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-11
Half a
Chance
BY FREDERIC S. ISHAM,
Author Of "The Strollers, !" ''Un.
der the Rose" THE Lady
Of the Mount" Etc.
cOpyrieht, 1909, by the Bobbs-
Merrill Company.

passengers on ship bound for Aus
tralia visit section below decks
where a gang of convicts sentenced
to deportation are confined. H.
The ship, the Lord Nelson, is
wrecked. A convict, the Frisco
Pet" jumps overheard with Jocelyn
Wray, a pretty little girl. III.-The
convict after returning the girl to
her friends is himself cast away
alone on a deserted island.
CHAPTER w. Years have
passed. Lord Ronsdale and other
members of the party wrecked on
the Lord Nelson, including Jocelyn
Wray, go to the criminal courts in
London to hear John Steele, a ia
nous young lawyer, try a case.
Steele and Jocelyn meet and form
a liking for each other.
CHAPTERS V and VI.-Lord
Ronsdale, who would marry Jocelyn.
forms a violent dislike for Steele.
Ronsdale had at the wreck of the
the Frisco Pet" by lifeboat.
CHAPTER VII.-Ronsdale is star
tied at the sight of tattoo mark on
Steele's arm.
CHAPTER VIII.-Ronsdale puts
a detective, Gillett, on Steele's trail
to establish his identity. He is GER
tain Steele is the Frisco Pet"
Steele, none other than the Frisco
Pet" begins a hunt for Tom Rogers,
the only man who can establish his
innocence of the murder for which
he had been deported years before.
CHAPTER TX and X.-Steele Wis
its Strathorn House, where Jocelyn
Wray, Lord Ronsdale and others are
present. Steele, in love with the
girl, has recognized her as the one
he rescued at the wreck of the Lord
Nelson.
CHAPTER XI.-Ronsdale tries to
have Steele arrested at Strathorn
House. Steele reveals to Jocelyn
that he was once the Frisco Pet"
her rescurer.
CHAPTER XII.-Jocelyn aids ste
els in escaping to London.
quickly on a sovereign, and once more
he lashed his horse. For some time
they continued at a rapid pace. now
skirting the confines of the park. now
plunging into a puzzling tangle of
streets, but wherever they went the
other cab managed always TO keep
them in sight. 1t even began to
creep up nearer. From his pocket
John Steele drew a weapon. His eyes
cleaned ominously. The pursuing
hanson drew closer. Casting a hur-
Iied glance over his shoulder, he again
called up to the driver
Its no use, guv'ner," came back
the reply. This 'oss as been out long
er than is"
''Then turn the first dark corner and
slow up a bit. for only a second. Aft
erward go on your very best as long
as you can"
Another sovereign changed hands, !
and shortly afterward the vehicle
dashed into a side street. 1t appeared |
as likely a place as any for his pur
pose. John Steele. hardly waiting for |
the man to draw rein. leaped out as
far as be might. He landed without
mishap. heard a whip snap furiously |
and darted back into a doorway. He |
had just reached II when the other cab |
drew near. For an instant he felt
certain that he had been seen. but the |
pursuers' eyes were bent eagerly ahead.
"This'll mean a 6ver for you, my |
man." he heard one of them shout to
the driver We've got him, By A
harsh, jubilant cry cut the air; then
they were gone.
John Steele did not wait Replacing
the weapon In his pocket. he started
quickly around the corner His cab
man could not lead them far: they
would soon return.
Which way should he move! His
face burned with fever: he did nOi
heed 1t. A long. Druad thoroughfare
as he walked on had suddenly unfold
ed itseli 10 his gaze. One side of this
shone resplendent with the
fariug lights of numerous stands and
stalls disISaying vegetables and mis-
cellaneOus articles.
About 10 turn back from this animal
ed scene. John Steele hesitated. The
road ran straight and sure toward the
destination be wished 10 reach. while
on either hand lay network Of devi-
Gus ways.
He decided. crossed the street.
Lights CLEANED In his face. He push
ed his way through the people unmo
lested and strode on, followed only BY
the noise Of passing vehicles and carts.
On. on John Steele moved; ON, on
Time passed. IL would be a hard bat
tie. but once In that part OF the city
be was striving TO reach he might tnd
those willing 10 offer him shelter-lOw-
born. miserable wretches he had help
ed In their midst was the one man
In the world who could throw a true
light on the events OF the past. enable
him to-
Behind him some one followed, some
one who drew ever nearer. with soft.
skulking steps which now he heard
"Mr steele" Even as be wheeled