The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-12-27

may think of u.s., she said. but tn
men were already crazed with feat
even before the leak was discovered
one OF their mates on the voyag
over was fortune-teller, and h
prophesied danger to them all on thei
next trip. After they had come int
port, the fortune-teller himself died
and who can blame them for thei
fear? They are all superstltious: an,
as no one ever regarded their fears
now they have no regard for any
body's feelings but their own"
But we are in the middle of tn,
Atlantic, no one knows where. w,
may drift for days-we may starve-
the Lord only knows what will hap
pen to usi"
Agatha, who had been floating
swan a little nearer and laid hel
hand on Jlm's shoulder until hC
looked into her face. 1t was .ull o.
strength and brightness.
The sea is His also" she quoted
gently. Besides, we may get picked
up she went on. I'm very we'll 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
fall from the rope But l must get
ria OF my shoes and some OF my
elothes, II have TO swim"
It Is awkward to kick of ones
SHOES and divest oneself of unneces-
sary clothing in the water, and
Agatha laughed at herself as she did
IT, Not exactly bathing suit. but
this one black skirt will have to do.
me Others must 60 It 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 afoat. and presently he saw
that, freed from the ENHANCEMENT Of
so many clothes, she was as much
at home in the water as he. Sud.
denly she turned to him, caught by
some recollection that almost eIuded
her.
l don't think we are anywhere
near the middle of the Atlantic" she
said thoughtfully James was silent,
eating the bitter bread of despair, in
spite OF the woman's brave wish to
comfort him. They we're swimming
slcwly as they talked, still hoping to
reach the yacht. They rose on the
breast Of the waves, paused now and
then till quieter moment came, and
always kept near each other in the
pale blue darkness
old Sophie said omething-that
some one had tampered with the
wheel, think. At any rate, she said
we'd never get far from shore with
this crew"
James considered the case. But
even suppose we are within mile
Or two, say, of the shore, could YOU
ever swim two miles in this heavy
3ea?"
1t is growing calmer every min
lte. See, l can do very well. even
winning alone. It must be near
morning, too, and that's always
rood thing" There was the shadow
II laugh in her voice.
Morning.? That depends" growl-
ID jim. He was being soothed in
plte of himself, and in spite of the
lrefulnes of their situation. But bad
8 the situation was, and would be
any case, he could not deny the
roposition that morning and day
ght would make it better
'Eut aren't you tired already? You
lust be" James turned closer to
er, trying to read her face. 1T was
long night of anxiety, even before
e left the boat. Weren't you fright :
ned?"
Yes, of course; but I've been get.
ng used to frights of late, if one can !.
et used to them" Again there was :
lie laugh in her voice, under all its j.,
even when she added: :,
m not sure that this isn't safer '.
an being on board the Jeanne !,
Arc, after ALL" y
1t was characteristic OF James that -
forbode to take advantage Of the >,
'ening this speech offered. The DOS -
Die reason of her abduction, her =,
satment on board the yacht. her
lation to Monsieur Chatelard-it - :,
Is all mystery, but he could not ~
that moment, seek to solve it. Her :.
mark remained unanswered for a =.
tie time; at last he said: Then ,.' "a
Jeanne Dare must have been ~ y,
city bad" ~
1t was" she said simply. -
lin wondered whether she knew .
re about the crime Of which she ~ ~
s the victim than he knew, or il o.,
} had discovered aught concerning 80 80
while she was a prisoner on the 81 ="
hit. Granting that her person was +,
valuable that a man of Monsieur
caliber would commit =.
me to get possession of it WHY
uld he have abandoned her when -
re was plainly some chance OF -
ETY. in the boats? He could not .
ceive of Monsieur ChateIard's .
ling his neck in an affair of gal. .
Try; cupidity alone would account u,
his part in the drama. James ~
It over and over the situation. as - .
as he understood it, but he did -,
e of his thinking aloud 1t flashed ~
his mind that Miss Redmond must osi @
ady have separated him, in her 1TI
lights, from the other people on dar
yacht; though perhaps her trust "
instructive, arising from her own mar
OF help. How could she know