The Press., 1912-01-17
THE WRECK A Story of Kidnapping
 By cLARISsA MACKIR 
By cLARISSA MACKIE
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 When Alice Lovett had come out of the east, where she had been for a years visit, Percie Card succumbed at once to her loveliness and charm. It was by no means his first love affair, but 1t was without doubt his most seri- Ous one.
 The beautiful Miss Lovett, however, looked with indifference upon the young millionaire-u his extreme slenderness, his narrow face with its 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 tall, brown faced man, with strong hands, keen blue eyes and a shock of chestnut hair. There was also the memory of brief, blissful betrothal, quarrel and, the 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.
 l It was at the suggestion of his so- cial sponsor, Mrs. Arlington. that Per cie Card planned q cruise on the liar lequin. It 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 it 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. ''I must plan 1t all out and consider it. There is a risk"
 "Bah!' scoffed Card. "If you're afraid, say sol I thought you fellows were fire eaters When it comes right down to turning off a job-well. say, you've got a Kindergarten beaten to standstill."
 "Ah, you think soY' 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 a sickly grin. And as l for you, Colton, keep your mouth shut -saveyY He glared savagely at the old seaman.
 Colton observed a respectful silence, and Alveiro, who had sheathed his knife, turned his somber face to the young millionaire. "Give yourself no uneasiness, MT. Card. It will happen as you wish-about tomorrow even ing or very early the following day" His voice dropped to hissing whis- per. "And the payment of the money l-I may be assured of that, sir?' Sure thing nodded Card careless ly, land if you make pretty job of l 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 1 ed that the men were exhausted, propeller shaft was broken and that the yacht was drifting helplessly at the mercy of the storm. There was 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" hA a1av %HA poH changes Alveiro says we'll 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 restive unhappiness. That 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
 
 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.
 Once she raised her voice and called, FTc AT1i Vy0r fn9' hT1f the words died out on the gale. She reached out hand and felt nothing save the rough flannel shirt of a 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 a few moments it seemed as though animation was SuS- pended while the dOry burst through booming mountain of water. She was drenched to the skin and panting for breath when. with suddenness that was startling, they glided down the mountain of water and descended with rush into infinite calm, and ex- cept for the long swell left by the rushing -c0mbers the boat glided evenly under the impetus of the stout armed Oarsnlen.
 All this while not sound had been uttel ed by her companions. Presently the keel grounded on soft. yielding sand. and Percie Cards voice broke the long silence.
 .'Safe on shore. Miss Lovett," he said briskly, and Alice was too cold and weary to reject the clammy hand that sought hers in the darkness.
 Day was dawning.
 She looked at the jungle covered shore. sloping upward into a high crested hill topped by feathery palms. There was a smell of cassia and jas mine, while myriads of bright hued birds Hickered among the tall, tufted cnoaanT1fS