The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-08

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
prophesied danger TO them all on their
next trip After they had come into
port, the fortuneteller 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 any.
bodys feelings but their own"
But we are in the middle Of .he
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 a little nearer and laid her
hand on Jim's shoulder, until he
looked into her face. 1t was full of
strength and brightness.
1.-The sea is His Also" she quoted
gently. Besides, we may get picked
up" she went on. I'm very well off
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 must get
rid of my shoes and some of my
clothes, If have to swim"
It is awkward to kick off ones
shoes and divest oneself of unnecas-
sary clothing in the water. and
Agatha laughed at herself as she did
II. mot exactly a bathing suit, but
this one black skirt will have to do
The others must go. II was my skirts
that caused the mischief with the
rore at first. And / was scaredl"
"You had right to be-" Jim helped
her keep anoat 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 eluded
her.
81 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 were swimming
slowly 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 something-that
some one had tempered with the
wheel, l 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 a mile
or two, say, of the shore, could you
ever swim two miles in this heavy
sea?"
1T is growing calmer every min
ute. See, l can do very we'll, even
swimming alone. 1t must be near
too, and that's always a
good thing" There was the shadow
Of a laugh in her voice.
Morning? That depends" growl-
cd Jim. He was being soothed in
spite of himself, and in spite of the
Of their situation. But bad
as the situation was, and would be
in any case, he could not deny the
that morning and day
light would make it better
But aren't you tired already? You
must be-" James turned closer to
her, trying to read her face. 1T was
4 long night of anxiety, even before
we left the boat. Weren't you fright.
ened?"
Yes, of course; but I've been get
ing used to frights of late, if one can
get used to them" Again there was
he laugh in her voice, under all its
seriousness, even when she added:
I'm not sure that this isn't safer
han being on board the Jeanne
Dare, after ALL"
1t was characteristic of James that
lie forbode to take advantage of the
opening this speech offered. The pos
'ible reason of her abduction, her
] eatment on board the yacht, her
citation to Monsieur Chatelard-it
vas all mystery, but he could not
It that moment seek to solve it. Her