The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-10-13
THE WRECK
A Story Of kidnapping
By CLARlSSA MAcKiE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
nlaflns, fAtI
By CLARlSSA MAcKiE

When Alice Lovett had come out of
the east, where she had been for n
years visit, Percie Card succumbed at
once to her loveliness and charm. 1t
was by no means his first love affair,
but It was without doubt his most seri-
GUS one.
Tho beautiful Miss Lovett, however,
looked with indifference upon tho
young millionaire-upon HIS extreme
slenderness, his narrow face with its
| close placed eyes, sleek hair and rose
bud mouth, like girls. She dlsliked
his overdeferential manner, the touch
of his white spatulate finger tips and,
above all. his efreminacy. Mentally
she wore picture of tall, brown
faced man. with strong hands, keen
blue eyes and shock of chestnut hair
There was also the memory Of brief,
blissful betrothal, n quarrel and tho
long ache after the parting. He, the
artist. had sailed for unknown seas
with sketch book and pencil, while she
| had fled 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
Gle Card planned cruise on the Har-
lequin. 1t 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 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 it2" asked Card for tho
third time.
Captain Alveiro scowled. II must
think" he said sullenly. 81 must plan
It oil out and consider 1t. There Is n
risk"
"Bahw scoffei Card. IF you're
afraid. say sol l thought you fellows
were fire eaters. When It comes right
down to turning off n job-well say,
you've got kindergarten beaten to n
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 ms
for you. Cotton, keep your mouth shut
| --savey2" He glared savagely Mt the
old seaman.
Cotton observed n respectful silence.
and Alveiro, who had sheathed his
knife, turned his somber face to tho
young millionaire. "Give yourself no
uneasiness. Mr. Card. 1t win happen
us you wish-about tomorrow even
ing or very early the following day"
His voice dropped to II kissing wills.
per. "And the payment Of tho money
Il may be assured Of that, sirf"
"Sure thing" nodded Card careless
| ly. and II you make n pretty job of
1t I'll make It twenty-five hundred"
All that night and the next day the
| Harlequin labored In the teeth OF n
| gale. At nightfnll Percie Card report
ed that the men were exhausted. q
propeller shaft was broken and that
the yacht was drifting helplessy at
tho mercy of the storm. There was n
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 danger% said Man
nering coolly.
Card 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 Il good sailor, but the pitching and
lurching of the yacht prevented repose
Of body, while her mind was painfully
active In its FESTIVE unhapplness. That
day she had refused Percie Cards Of
fer of marriage for the third time aud
his open resentment was unpleasant
She sank into doze. to be awakened
by an inslstent rapping Mt her door.
Some one was speaking hoarsely.
Miss Lovett. get mp and dress ut oncel
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
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 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 her
thoughts, and for few moments It
seemed MS though animation was sus-
pended while the dory burst through
booming mountain Of water She
was dreuched TO the skin and painting
for breath when. with suddennesJ
that WAS startling. they glided down
tho 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