The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-13

Il
With look of panic she sat up,
thrust damp hair back from her eyes,
and neryously inquired
4 Whats the matter7"
Nothing" Barcus told her. Il shut
the engine off-that's ALL"
Tempers were short In that hour,
and Alan was annoyed to. think that
tho rest OF his beloved should need
lessiy have been disturbed.
What did you do that forr' he de
manded sharply
because jolly well wanted to-
Barcus returned In tone as brusque.
"Oh, you did--eh?"
Eyes. I did--ehl l happen to be
bossing this end OF the boat and TO
have sense enough to realize there's
no sense at all In our wasting fuel the
way we are--cruising nowhere!"
| Well" Law contended. struck by
the fairness of this argument. but un-
able 70 calm his unoasiness- -"just the
same, we might"
Yes; OF course. we might" Barcus
snapped. I'VE might whole lot. We
might. for instance, be heading for
Spain. for all you or I know TO the
contrary. And In such case, for one
respectfully prefer to have gas enough
70 take us home again II ever this
da--bleased fog Iiftsl"
And for several seconds longer the
stiffness strangled their spirits in its
ruthless grasp.
Then OF a sudden a cry shrilled
through the fog. so near at hand that
II seemed scarcely more distant than
over the side:
"Ahoyi Help Alloy therel Helpl"
SO insistent, SO urgent was Its ac-
cent that. coupled with the surprise,
II brought the three as one to their
feet. all a.tremble. their eyes seeking
one another's faces, then shifting un.
easily away.
what can 1t be?" Rose whispered,
aghast. shrinking into Alans ready
arm.
"A woman" Bareus put in harshiy.
Judith" the girl moaned.
Alan shook himself together. I'm
possiblel" he contended. Il saw her
20 down :"
THAT doesn't prove she didn't come
up" Barcus commented acidly.
Alloy! Motorboat ahoo-oy! Help!"
And that" Barcus pursued sadly.
.just proves she did come up-blame
the lucki Alive she is. and kicking:
stand clear. An able-bodied pair OK
lungs was back OF that hail. my friend:
and you needn't tell me I don't know
the dulcet accents OF that angelic con-
traltol"
Without needing him. Alan cupped
hands to mouth and sent an answer
ing cry ringing through the murk:
"Ahoyl Where are your Where
awayf"
Thereon the reef--half. drowned
perishing with chilli
How does my voice bearf' Alan
called back.
What the dickens do you carer
Barcus interpolated suspiciuosly.
ITO port" the response rang through
the fog, "Starboard your helm and
come in SLOWLY"
"Right-ol Half mlnute!" Alan re-
piled reassuringly.
Like heli!" Mr.. Barcus muttered In
his throat as he jumped down into the
engine pit and bent over the fy-wheel.
Leaping ON the forward thwart and
balancing himself perilously near the
gunwale. Alan strained his vision
valnly against the opacity OF the fog.
Can't make out anything" he
grumbled. looking back start her
up--but slows the word-and ware
reef"
Nothing doing" Barcus retorted
curtly. THE motto Is now Full speed
asterni' as you must know"
20 come! We can't leave woman
| out therein a fix like thati"
Cant We? You watchi" Barcus
grunted inadvertently. rocking the
heavy fywheel with all his might: for
tho motor had turned suddenly stub
born.
"Alanl" Rose pleaded. laying hand
upon his sleeve. Think what Il
meansl know It sounds heartless OF
me and It's my own sister. But you
know how mad she is-wild with ha-
tired and jealousy. II you take her into
this boat. it's your life or hersi"
III we leave her out there Alan
retorted, shaking his arm lmpatiently
free. its her life on our heads!"
At this juncture the motor took
charge OF the argument. ending II in
summary fashion With smart ex.
plosion in the cylinder. 1t started up
Unexpectedly, at one and the same
time almost dislocating the arm OF
Mr.. Barcus and prscipitating Alan
overheard.
1t was not given him to know what
was happening until he found himself
in the water; he struggled to the sur.
face just In time to see the bows OF
the lifeboat back away and vanish into
the mist
CHAPTER XVI.
Ell