Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-10-07
THE WRECK
A Story Of Kidnaplus
BY cLARIssA MAcKIR
A Story Of Kiduaplus
BY cLARIssA MAcKR


the east, where abe had been for q
years visit, Percie Gard succumbed at
once to her loveliness and charm. 1t
was by no means his frst 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
slenderness, 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 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, 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
Gle Gard planned a cruise on the Har-
lequin. Il 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 70 II 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 ST." asked Gard for the
third time.
Captain Alveiro scowled. II must
think" he said sullenly. II must plan
1t all out and consider It There Is a
risk"
"BahW seofred Card 'Tf you're
afraid. say sol! l thought you fellows
were fire eaters. When 1t comes right
down to turning or a job-well. say.
you've got a kindergarten beaten to
standstill."
"Ah, you think soT' 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."
Gard shifted uneasily In his seat.
"AIl right, take your time. old sport"
he said, with a 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. It 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
II may be assured of that, sir2'
"Sure thing" nodded Card careless
ly, land II you make u pretty job of
It I'll make 1t twenty five hundred"
ALI that night and the next day the
Harlequin iabered In the teeth of
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 dangerf" said Man
nering coolly.
Gard laughed nervously. "Of course"
nc said abruptly. "If the wind
changes Alveiro says we'll como 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
lurcbipg of the yacht prevented repose
OF body. while her mind was painfully
active in its restivs unhappineas 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 ipsistent rapping Mt her door.
Some one was speaking hoarsely.
Miss Lovett. got up and dress at onceI
We are In great dapgsrl 4Hurryp
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 a. little de-
lay while the boat rose and sank on
the great rollers. Another boat was
being lowered.
s 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 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 fer o few moments It
seemed as though animation was sus-
pended while the dory burst through
a booming mountain OF water. She
was drenched to the skin and painting
for breath when, with suddenness
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
rtfahfner rornharn fho haaf oIffoA avanlv