The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-24

Ing the ran t1Snter as perfOrce Sll
paused to answer. Il thought l.
would take only moment"
"Slipped out?" he repeated
''Of the lifeboat. l mean. 1t WAS
dark. and they didn't see me. JUS
happened to think, and l had to do i,
If I'd told them they mightn't have let
me. 1t would have been very wicked
If Id gone away and forgotten. Don't
you think 30! And now Pm going
back Only | am afraid I've been
longer than thought / would be
The door of my stateroom seemed to
stick. and | was il few minutes getting
it open"
Beneath dishpveled masses of thiC&
dark hair the british face continapd
to study the fairylike one. For the
instant words seemed to fail him
DO you mean." he observed. you
come back here for that ncisly dicky
bird?'
ut isn't measly. and it isn't dicky
bird! she answered Indignantly. And
I'll thank you not to call IT that. It's
a love bird. and its name is Dearie."
"Dearie. Ho. ho." The ship reeled
at 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 1t names. IT. No bigger'n
my thumb. Ho hoy 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?" he demanded. almost
fiercely. you've got left"
"Leftf' sa'd she blankly. shrinking
from him a little. you don't mean
Oh, thought would be only a min.
uteI They, haven't really gone and"-
The great fingers closed OH her arm
They've gone. and the crews gone:
Both boats are goneF
-Ohl. The big blue eyes widenet
on him. and an inkiing Of her plight
seemed to come over her. Her lips
trembled, but she held herself brave
~. You mean we must drown?',
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 Took a that!
Now. amt ye sorry ye come back?"
II couldn't leave it to drownr-pas-
sionately-"couldn't-couldD't"'
BLOW me-. she's game." With Diff
Guilty he na;ntained his equilibrium.
'See here. Maybe there's chance II
any Of then's left to help with the
raft But We e got to git out o
th1sp'
He passed his hand through her arm.
awaited favorable moment. aud then.
making a dash for the stairs. drew
her as best 1e might to the deck.
OF living man he caught no sight.
Only single one Of the dead yet re-
nsained. sliding about on the slippery
plauks with the movement Of the ship.
now to leeward. nov rushing III a COT
trary direction, as II some grotesQGs
spirit of life yet animated the darA.
shapeless 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 wayY'
Are they coming back to save us"
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 lie
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.