Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-02-16
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| There he had spent one summer vaca-
ton of his college life. 1t was ten
years past, but this pose, the rope in
his hand, flashed 1t oack to him
Now they were almost on the Japa"
nese. For the moment he seemed to
waver, He glanced at the approach
ing launch, and reached uncertainty
for the boat hook. Yet 1t did not
seem to occur to him TO yield.
And then, as for the hundredth time
he laid his hands on the motor, he
uttered cry, 1t was plain to Orme
that the cause of the supposed break.
down had been discovered. But was
there time for the Japanese to get
away? 1t was doubtful. He opened
the feed pipe and let the gasoline
again flow in. The launch was now
so near that 0rme could almost have
leaped the gap, but the Japanese bent
his energy to the heavy fly wheel, tug
ging at 1t hurriedly.
The motor started, The boat began
to move.
Even now II looked as though the
collision could not be prevented, but
the Japanese. seizing the steering
wheel, turned the boat so quickly to
starboard that the stern fell away
from the bow of the approaching
launch. There was no crash, no hard
bump; merely glancing blow so
slight that In that calm water 1t
scarcely made the boats careen.
Then Orme threw his moose. The
distance was less than ten feet, and
the loop spread, quick and true, over
| the head of the Japanese. But, swift
though the action was, the Japanese
| had an instant to prepare himself.
His right arm shot up, AS Orme. jerk
ing at the rope, tried to tighten the
moose, the hand of the Japanese push
ed II over his head and 1t slid over
the side into the water. In few
seconds the swift boat had disap-
peared In the night
Tightening his lips grimly, Orme
drew the wet rope in and mechanical
| ly coiled It. There was nothing to
say. He had failed. So good an OPP
portunity to recover the papers would
hardly return,
Silently he turned back to the 9th
| ers. Porter had swung the launch
around and was heading toward the
distant lights of Evanston. The girl
was peering In the direction whence
came the sound of the preceding boat.
Thus, for some time they remained
silent
At last the girl broke into laugh.
1t was ripping, silvery laugh, ex-
pressing an infectious appreciation of
the humor of their situation. Orme
chuckled In spite of himself II she
could laugh like that, he need not stay
in the dumps. And yet in his mind
ranked the sense of failure. He had
made poor showing before her-and
she was laughing. Again the corners
Of his mouth drew down.
81 suppose the notion is amusing"
he saba cowboy at sea-"
"Oh, ! was not laughing at you"
She had sobered quickly at his words.
Il shouldn't blame you, If you did"
1T is the whole situation" she went
on. "And 1t wouldn't be so funny, if
it weren't so serious"
81 appreciate It," he said.
And you know how serious 1t u.s."
she went on. But truly, Mr.. Orme,
I am glad that we did not damage
that boat. 1t might have been ter
rible. If he had been drowned" her
voice trailed off in a faint shudder.
and Orme remembered how tired she
must be, and how deeply disappointed.
Now, Girl" he said, bending over