The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-12
THE WRECK
A Story Of kidnapping
BY CLARiSSA MAcKIH
A Story Of Kidnaplns
By CLARISSA MACKIH

Copyright by American Press Asso- !.
citation, 1911 !
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
When Alice Lovett had come out of
the east, where she had been for a
years visit, Percie Card succumbed at
once to her. loveliness and charm. Il
was by no means his first love affair.
but 1t was without doubt his most seri-
Gus one.
Tho beautiful Miss Lovett, however.
looked with indifference upon the
young millionaire-upon his extreme
tenderness, his narrow face with its
close placed eyes, sleek hair and rose
bud mouth, like a girls She disliked
his overdeferential manner. the touch
Of his white spatulate finger tips and.
above all. his effeminacy. Mentally
she wore . picture OF q tall. brown
faeed man. with strong hands. keen
blue eyes and a shock Of chestnut hair.
There was also the memory Of brief.
blissful betrothal. q quarrel and the
long ache after the parting. He. the
artist, had sailed for unknown seas
With sketch book and pencil. while she
had ded homo to California as being
farthest from the scene of her heart
disaster.
It was at the suggestion Of his So
ciai sponsor Mrs. Arlington. that Per
Gle Card planned q cruise on the Har-
lequin. II required heroic resolve to
do this, but the opportunity offered by
long. delightful days on the Pacific
with Alice Lovett. followed by dream
full, moonlit. tropical nights. was not
to be denied. and SO it was that one
fine September morning the long black
hull of the Harlequin slipped through
the Golden Gate and disappeared into
the enchanted west.
"Can you do itT' asked Card for the
third time.
Captain Alveiro scowled. 81 must
think" he said sullenly. 81 must plan
1t all out and consider 1t. There Is a
risk"
"Bahg scoffed Card. III you're
afraid. say SO! thought you fellows
were fire eaters. When 1t comes right
down to turning of job-well, say,
you've got kindergarten beaten to a
standstill."
"Ah, you think SOP The captains
slim brown fingers caressed an ugly
looking knife produced from his tight
ly girted waist. Just the same, sir,
I'll take my time and think about it."
Card shifted uneasily In his seat
"All right. take your time, old sport,"
he said. with sickly grin. And as
for you, Cotton. keep your mouth shut
-saveyr He glared savagely at the
old seaman.
Cotton observed a respectful silence,
and Alveiro. who had sheathed his
knife, turned his somber face to the
young millionaire. Give yourself no
uneasiness, Mr.. Card 1t will happen
as you wish-about tomorrow even
ing or very early the following day"
His voice dropped to kissing whis-
per. "And the payment of the money
Il may be assured Of that, sirT'
"Sure thing" nodded Card careless
ly. land If you make pretty Job of
1t I'll make 1t twenty-five hundred"
ALI that night and the next day the
Harlequin labored in the teeth OF a
gale. At nightfall Percie Card report
ed that the men were exhausted. a
propeller shaft was broken and that
the yacht was drifting helplessly at
the mercy Of the storm. There was a
spare shaft aboard. but under present
conditions no repairs could be made.
He made this announcement to the
three men in the smoking room after
the women had retired.
''Then there ia dangerp' said Man
herring coolly.
Card laughed nervously. "Of course"
he said abruptly. "If the wind
changes Alveiro says well come out
all right"
Alice Lovett slept little that night
She as well as the rest of the women
was a good sailor. but the pitching and
lurching Of the yacht prevented repose
Of body. while her mind was painfully
active In its restive unhappiness. That
day she had refused Percie Cards Of
fer Of marriage for the third time. and
his open resentment was unpleasant
She sank into a doze. to be awakened
by an insistent rapping at her door.
Some one was speaking hoarsely.
Miss Lovett, get up and dress at oncel
We are In great danger! Hurryr
There were hoarse shouts from the
boat that had been lowered. and Alice
found herself hurried over the side
and passed from one strong arm to
another until she was seated In the
pitching dory. There was little de-
lay while the boat rose and sank on
the great rollers. Another boat was
being lowered.
Once she raised her voice and called,
Mrs. Arlington. are you safer" but
the words died out on the gale. She
reached out a hand and felt nothing
save the rough flannel shirt Of a sea-
man. Her friends were probably fol-
lowing In another boat
Before she could think further the
roar Of the breakers drowned even her
thoughts, and for a few moments 1t
seemed as though animation was sus-
pended while the dory burst through
booming mountain Of water. She
was drenched to the skin and painting
for breath when. with a suddenness
that was startling. they giided down
ID