The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-23

but she was conscious Of the paralyz-
ing despair of her companions heart'
and made show Of being cheerful
when they find they are safe tney
may think of U.S." che said. But the
men were already crazed with rear
even before the leak was discovereu.
One of their mates on the Voyaee
over was q fortune-teller, ana he
prophesied danger to them all on theif
next trip. After they had come lh'o
port, the fortune-teller himself aleo'
And who can blame them for their
fear? They are all superstitious; ana
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 tne
Atlantic, no one knows where. we
may drift for days-we may starVe-
the Lord only knows what will nap
pen to u.s."
Agatha, who had been floating
swan a little nearer and laid ner
hand on Jim's shoulder, until lie
looked into her face. 1t was full Oh
strength and brightness.
1.-The sea is His ALSO" she quoted
Il 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 blesseu
cork thing, and not at all hurt by the
fall from the rope. But / must se'
b. rid of my shoes and some or my
clothes, If have to swim"
,e 1t is awkward to kick on one
ID shoes and divest oneself OF unneces
ut sary clothing in the water, ant
Agatha laughed at herself as she ole
,g 1t. Not exactly a bathing suit, pu
m this one black skirt will have to oo
ou The others must go. 1t was my sKir'
that caused the mischief with TN
lis rope at first. And l was scared!
We "You had a right to be-" Jim heipe
her keep af1oat. and presently ne sa'
ur that, freed from the ENHANCEMENT
he so many clothes, she was as muc
tn. at home in the water as he SUI
denly she turned to him, caught Q
II some recollection that almost elude
d." her.
The II don't think we are anywhel
lch near the middle of the Atlantic" 81
in said thoughtfully. James was slier
vas eating the bitter bread OF despair
she spite of the woman's brave wish
comfort him. They were swimmil
Vim slowly as they talked. still hoping
me reach the yacht. They rose on e
nth breast Of the waves, paused now a.
he then till quieter moment came, a.
ces always kept near each other In t
par pale blue darkness.
led "Old Sophie said something-tr
and some one had tempered with
hey wheel, l think. At any rate, she 81
Jim. we'd never get far from shore W
with this crew."
bout James considered the case. 7
chit even suppose we are within a N
Jim. or two say, of the shore, could
1t II ever swim two miles in this he'
anne sea-"
1T is growing calmer every n
MS ute. See, can do very well. g
the swimming alone. 1t must be n
morning, too, and that's always
nese good thing" There was the shat
of laugh In her voice.
tue Morning? That depends" gr'
we II ed Jim. He was being soothed
res.s spite of himself, and in spite OF
wan. direfulnes Of their situation. But
l. anu as the situation was, and would
iien in any case, he could not deny
'oa.s, proposition that morning and
lene. light would make 1t better.
Doa,u But aren't you tired already!
lichis must be-" James turned close
urses her, trying to read her face. 1T
~ M a long night of anxiety, even be
INC we left the boat. Weren't you IF
ened?"
'nI Eyes, of course; but I've been
A son ting used to frights Of late, II one
~ get used to them" Again there
's-.a, the laugh In her voice, under al
!. ~. seriousness, even when she ad
=. tha 'Tm not sure that this isn't
y MON than being on board the Je
, into Dare, after all!'
9 they 1t was chafac'eiis'io " oaaA' :
n,Arc he forbode to take advantage o
A. the opening this speech offered. The
tbam sible reason of her abduction
called treatment on board the yacht
snead relation to Monsieur Chatelal
eat of was all a mystery, but he coule
water at that moment, seek to solve It.
i'm an remark remained unanswered
oss;hle little time; at last he said:
am he. the Jeanne D'Arc must have
boats. pretty bad"
, again ST was" she said simply.
areless Jim wondered whether she
hing IN more about the crime OF whic
2 ewes was the victim than he knew,
"a male she had discovered aught conc
ark wa. 4 while she was prisoner c
Yacht. Granting that her perso
fpll" SO valuable that a man OF Mo
ora for cbatelards caliber would com
$3.50 - rorooacion NJ II