The Detroit times., 1912-04-04
THE ~
81
SINGER 81
A GREAT SERIAL STORY Ry. W.
MARTHA BELLINGlER = IN

Lie girl beside MIN knew peltef'
but she was conscious oil the paralyz-
ing despair in her companions heart,
and made show OF being cheerful.
when they find they are safe they
may think OF u.s. she said. But the
men were already crazed with FEAR,
even before the leak was discovered.
One OF their mates on the voyage over
was fortune.teller, and he prophe-
sled danger 10 them all on their next
trip After they had come into port,
the fortune-teller himself died: And
who can blame them for their fear?
They are all superstitious; and as no
one ever regarded their fears. now
they have no regard for anybodys
feelings but their own"
But we are in the middle or the
Atlantic, no one knows where. We
may drift for days-we may starve-
the Lord only knows what Will hap
pen to us,
Agatha. who had been floating.
swan little nearer and laid her
hand on Jim's shoulder, until he
looked into her face. Ii was fun OF
strength and brightness.
THE sea Is His also, she quoted
gently. Besides. We may get picked
up" she went on. I'm very well on,
for my part. as YOU see. Can swim or
rest floating, thanks TO this blessed
cork thing, and not at all hurt by the
fail from the rope. But | must get
rid of my shoes and some OF my
clothes. il have TO swim"
II Is awkward to kick on ones
shoes and divest oneself OF unneces-
sary clothing in the water. ana
Agatha laughed at herself as she did
il. Not exactly a bathing suit, put
this one black skirt will have TO 90.
The others must go. 1t was my skirts
that caused the mischief with the
rope at first. And | was scared!
You had a right TO be" Jim
helped her keep afioat, and presently
he saw that. freed from the entangie-
ment OF so many clothes, she was as
much at home In the water as ne.
Suddenly she turned TO him, caugh,
| by some recollection that almost
eluded her.
! II don't think We are anywhere
near the middle or the Atlantic she
said thoughtfuly. James was silent
eating the bitter bread OF despair, In
spite OF the woman's brave wish 10
comfort him. They were swimming
| slowly as they talked, still hoping 10
reach the yacht. They rose on the
breast OF the waves, paused now anu
| then till a quieter moment came. ana
always kept near each other IN the
pale blue darkness.
"Old Sophie said something-that
| some one had tempered with the
wheel, | think. At any rate, she SAID
we'd never get far from shore wilh
this crew"
| James considered the case. But
even suppore we are within mile or
two. say. OF the shore, could you ever
swim two miles in this heavy sea-?
1T is growing calmer every min.
ute. II must be near morning, too.
and that's always good thing.
There was the shadow OF laugh In
her voice.
Morning? That depends growieG
jim. He was being soothed In spite
OF himself. and in spite OF the dire
fitness OF their situation. But bad
as the situation was, and would be
I'm any case. he could not deny the
proposition that morning and daylight
would make il better.
but aren't you tired already? You
must be-" James turned closer TO her.
II trying to read her face. 1T was a
long night OF anxiety, even before We
left the boat. Weren't you fright.
ened?"
ITO Be contlnued.)