The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-09-26

4 Copyright by American Press Asso- +
citation, 1911 4
*%*4+**8*4*a* *.s = =
! When Alice Lovett had come out OF
the east, where she had been for q
years visit, Percie Card succumbed at
once to her loneliness and charm. It
was by no means his first love affair.
but It was without doubt his most seri-
Gus one
The beautiful Miss Lovett, however,
looked with Indifference upon the
young millionaire-upon his extreme
tenderness, his narrow face with it's
close placed eyes, sleek hair and rose
bud mouth, like girls. She disliked
his overdeferential manner, the touch
Of his white spatulate finger tips and,
above ALL his effeminacy. Mentally
she wore picture Of a tall, brown
faced man, with strong hands, keen
blue eyes and a shock of chestnut hair
There was also the memory of brief,
btssful betrothal. a quarrel and the
long ache after the parting. He, the
artist, had sailed for unknown seas
with sketch book and pencil. while she
had fed home to California as being
farthest from the scene of her heart
disaster
1t was at the suggestion of his So
cial sponsor. Mrs. Arlington, that Per-
de Gard planned cruise on the Har-
lequtn. It required heroic resolve to
do this, but the opportunity offered by
long. delightful days ON the Ptlc4dc
with Alice Loyett, followed by dream
| full, moonlit, tropical nights, was not
to be denied. and so 1t 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 it?' asked Card for the
third time.
Captain Alveiro scowled. II must
think" he said sullenly. 81 must plan
1t all out and consider it, There is q
risk"
.'Bahm SCORED Card. "If you're
afraid, say SO! l thought you fellows
were fire eaters. When 1t comes right
down to turning OF a job-weIl, say,
you've got kindergarten beaten to a
standstill"
"Ah, you think soY' The captains
slim brown fingers caressed an ugly
looking knife produced from his tight
ly girted waist. Gust the same, sir,
I'll take my time and think about IT,"
Card shifted uneasily In his seat.
IAN right, take your time. old sport, -
he said. with a sickly grin. And as
for you. Cotton, keep your mouth shut
I-saveyY He glared savagely at the
old seaman.
Cotton observed respectful silence,
and Alveiro, who had sheathed his
knife, turned his somber face to the
young millionaire "Give yourself no
uneasiness. Mr.. Card 1t viii happen
as you wish-about tomorrow even
ing or very early the following day."
His voice dropped to Kissing whls-
per. "And the payment Of the money
Il may be assured Of that, sirY
''Sure thing" nodded Card careless
ly, land if you make pretty job Of
it I'll make it twenty-five hundred"
All 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 is dangerT said Man
nering coolly.
Gard laughed nervously. "Of course
he said abruptly. "If the wind
changes Alveiro says wen come out
all right"
Alice Lovett slept little that night
She as well as the rest Of the women
was good sailor, but the pitching and
lurching Of the yacht prevented repose
Of body, while her mind was painfully
active in Its FESTIVE 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 doze to be awakened
by an insistent rapping at her door.
Some one was speaking hoarsely
Miss Lovett, get up and dress at once
We are In great danger! Hurry"
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
J the great rollers. Another boat was
| being lowered.
Once she raised her voice and called
! Mrs. Arlington, are you safeT but
the words. died out on the gale. She
reached out a hand and felt nothing
save the rough flannel shirt of sea.
man. Her friends were probably fol
lowing In another boat
Before she could think further the
roar of the breakers drowned even heI
thoughts. and for a few moments II
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 suddennsss
that was startling. they glided down
the mountain Of water and descended
with a rush into infinite calm, and ex-
cept for the long swell left by the
rushing combers the boat glided evenly
under the impetus Of the stout armed
oarsmen.
All this while not a sound had beer
! uttered by her companions. Presently
the keel grounded on soft. yielding
sand, and Percie Cards voice broke
J the long silence.
g safe on shore, Miss Lovett." he SAID
briskly. and Alice was too cold ant
weary to reject the clammy hand tha
sought hers in the darkness.
Day was dawning.
She looked at the jungle covered
shore. sloping upward into a higi
crested hill topped by feathery palms
There was a smell OF cassta and jas
mine, while myriads of bright huet
birds hickered among the tall, tuftet
cocoanuts.
where are the othersr' she asket
as Card helped her over the gunwale.
Coming in the next boat" he an
swered evasively. and then, turning L
the men, "All ready-cast orr and Il
an instant the dory was manned an,
shot out into the gray mist.
where is the Harlequin askel
Alice. straining her eyes after the dc
parting boat.
Beyond the reef" replied Car,
laconically.
t "And-why are you here" she aske