The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-10
CHAPTER XIII.
Pretty SteN~aNaSe.

R zines, the quaktng of every z part of the great lsvtathan,
 lesser sounds from above, the Terrible creaking of the cargo as the vibra tfons strengthened it Into place. Then Lucille was suddenly aware that they were under way; that she was alone here in the bowels of the boat.
 Terror beset her on every side. Rats scampered about, their paws making a dreadful scraping sound like sand- paper being run over a smooth surface of boarding ,,
 But always, when her courage haG fairly ebbed, would come another Dis ture. It was as though her horror pop pins eyeballs had forced poignaatlV home to her the vision of Manila; of her father, grieving himself to death at her absence; of the shipwreek; her sweetheart, imprisoned. with every hand turned against him, with the girl he loved away. She must bring back the papersf esich Loubeque carried; she must clear her lover.
 Day and ,night-night and day-theFe was no difference between the two in this black hole. It seemed to hs= that they must be near the end of their journey, judging by the toEments Vhe had been through, when a sway1ng light directly over her head made her dart hastily back and strive to hide behind a looming bale. The eXclama- ton of surprised fncredulity which sounded in her ears told that she had been discovered. In an instinctive ef- fort to hide she struck against a bale that had partially dislodged itself and sent it laundering against a second stack. In a moment the hold was flfeI with tumbling boxes and bales, top bling, reeling, thrashing, laundering in every direction. Lucille saw plainly above her face that framed popping eyes and widened lips.
 Swiftly she leaped upon box that had formed the foundation for pyra- mid. AS though by instinct the sailor flung the lantern from him and reached down his hands, Lucille felt his fingers clutching at her wrists. Then slowly, so slowly it seemed she would never succeed in getting through that trap, she was lifted up, up to the deeiz where she lay panting and breathless, the man beside her fairly whistiing from the exertion of once more breatn- ing freely.
 Slowly a smile spread over his weather beaten face as he scanned the silken suit i'll which she was arrayed. Lucille saw that she had made friend already and immediately pressed her advantage.
 Nobody must 4know you found me there," she began hurriedly, then, as he started to protest, ''No, no. Please listenH-
 Again the sailor shook his head, troubled expression in his eyes. Luz ciIle knew that she had lost and, in stead of pleading. took the next best course that seemed open to her.
 Then, if you must, bring the cap tain to me instead of parading me be- fore every one. I would not ask you this. but l have an enemy aboard and Oh, cam she closed her lips quick ly, as the hint of a gleam of avarice showed in the mans eyes. After a sec ond's thought he nodded briefly and moved hurr1edly away
 Lucille had no time for regret at her discovery. She had felt all along that it was inevitable, but had refrained till now from figuring on what explana- ton she could make in such event. That expression, the swift change on the sailors face, as he thought her on the point Of mehtien1ag money, verified her instinctive knowledge that she must keep her ownership of the mag nifcent ruby necklace secret. She knew that the best of men would be tempted by such kings ransom as the mar vicious jewels represented Likewise she felt that it would be unwise, under any circumstances, to entrust any one with the knowledge that she possessed the international spy's diary. This much she had concluded when the captain stamped heavily across to her, followed by the sailor, his face frowning black iy, but with a curious twinkle in his eyes the girl was quick to discern. And so the young lady with murder ous tendencies was on board my boat all along. Of course you understand that I must put you in irons and turn you over to the authorities at San Francisco"
 Some impulse impelled her, an ina pulse to put on manner altogether at variance with her nature. She drew herself saucily erect, meeting his eyes with laughter lurking in her own.
 "Of course, you don't intend doing any such thing, she retorted bold Iy. "I was sick and the woman tIsay left to nurse me sneaked in tho room late at night and tried 4o s1aA. me. saw her slip out and was suspe cious of her, so I slipped behind the door and grabbed the mans gun when he put it on a chair. Anybody would have done exactly the same thing and know, anyway, that you would nevee turn an American girl over to those horrible Chinamen."
 CTO Be Continue0.1