Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-18
The League Of Lost Causes
The Woman From the Sea
copyright. 1918, by w g. Chapman)
Being the Romantic Adventures Of
Paul Lane, American Millionaire


ship lay on ner side, grinding TO
pieces slowly under the incessant
pounding of the waters. And, fur,
ther away, hulk low down on the,
horizon, were the black outlines Of a
man-of-war.
The warship was evidently shellng
the steamship. This much was evi-
dent, for the trajectory of her shells
was Immediately over the latter.
And it was equally clear that the
steamship was no abandoned target
destined to be battered by navy guns,
for Lane could distinguish tiny figures
that moved hther and thther upon
the decks, swarming toward the boats,
which they were frantically endeav-
oring to lower over the side. All was
confusion aboard. Another shell hur-
led forth, falling short of the shore;
another, and pillar of smoke rose
out of the steamships sides. Then,
even as Lane watched, he saw that
one of the boats was lowered at last;
and the fog descended again.
1t was incredible that such an cpl
sode could occur off the Long Island
shore. Where were the warships
of the United States, to avenge her
outraged majesty? Had war broken
out, and was this warship one of a
hostile battle fleet already engaged in
running the shipping of the country
and devastating her ports? Lane
stood peering out through the blank
mists, vainly endeavoring to pene-
trate the mystery.
He must have stood there fully five
minutes when he heard the FLASHING of
oars, the shout of voices, challeng-
ing cries. Then the sharp crack OF
of rifle whipped the air, and through
the opacity of the fog a boats nose
bore In toward the land and the keel
grated upon the sandy bottom. Two
n.en and woman leaped to their feet.
sprang into the sea- and began wad-
ing through the shadows. The men
were sailors, roughly clad; the wo-
man, who was heavily veiled, was
dressed in costly clothes. From her
ears hung loops Of gold, set each with
her fingers were encircled with rings.
Lane sprang into the sea and offered
her his hand; when she took 1t he
saw that 1t was the hand OF lady
who had never done any manual work
in her life.
Save me, Monsieur" she gasped,
in French, and, seeing that he under
stood, she added, Take me ashore
to some place of safety. ! can pay
anything." She clutched at little
purse strapped inside her belt The
two men stood by little sheepishly'
though casting alarmed glances from
moment to moment out through the
fog.
Cries were heard again, and through
the murk the sharp nose Of ships
cutter appeared. 1t was manned by
a half dozen sailors in uniform, COM
manded by bearded officer evident
ly of high rank. The woman looked
at them, turned suddenly. and began
running across the sand. Lane, intense
ly curious, but more concerned for
safety, did not stop to parley. He took
her hand in his and ran with her, leav-
ing the two sailors to their own de-
vices. In a moment the two were
running alone in the fog, which closed
in, damp, dripping cloak on every
side. They heard the shouts Of their
pursuers as they spread out and stum-
bled blndly through the mists in
search Of them. But the strangers
were ignorant Of the shore. They
did not know that wall Of heaped up
stones that separated the farming
land from the sands encroachments
That was their stumbling block; be-
fore they could regain their feet and
ascertain how the land lay Lane and
his charge had gained the level road
and were running toward the cottage
under the hill.
The shouting died away. They had
eluded their pursurers. Once In his
own demense, Lane felt that the girl
was safe and anger replaced Gu
riosity. He had been made to run as
though he had been a schoolboy
stealing fruit. The one servant whom
Of his was away for the afternoon and
there was no human habitation with
in a mile or more. He was alone with
this strange young woman from the
SEA. dramatically alone with her, and
feeling uncommonly perturbed and
foolish. She, meanwhile, calmly took or
her veil When Lane turned toward
her he found himself face to face with
young woman Of not more than two
or three and twenty years She
was beautiful-but that was the least
of her charms. There was on her
face an expression Of high breeding,
Of dignity, something of hauteur, but
everything that was altogether fine.
She smiled as he gazed frankly into
her eyes; her own scrutiny of him
seemed to have been equally satisfac-
tory.
IF you will pardon me, Madem-
oiselle," said Lane. 81 will get my
fowling gun. Those robbers, those pi-
rates"
She sat down, laughing. "Robbers!"
she exclaimed. THAT officer, Mon
sieur, is captain in the Imperial
Austrian navy
"Then you, Mademoiselle-" Lane be-
gan, and checked himself. Her feat
ures semed to have frozen. She look
ed through him as though he had been
an underiing He understood that