The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-27


 face that the truce was at an end. that he knew of his loss and would stop at nothing to. regain his secret
 Swiftly she sprang through the open door, losing herself in the mass of pas sengers huddied. against the rail. Be low them sounded that horrible hissing sound, the sound of unbridled fire.
 Lucille felt an overmastering inn pulse within her to remain with this terror, anything save the great, threat ening ocean that looked so monstrous now. waiting the tiny craft that creak- ed down from the davtts. Then power flll arms were about her. She felt herself being lifted and hurtled for ward, huddIing down in the crowded boat that was being lowered to the waves.
 A hand reached out and rested upon her shoulder. For a second she was unconscious of it, then something steadymg. indomitabie about the clutch Of finger tips made her turn. Hugo Loubeqne smiled into her eyes, smiled with the plying expression of an in vincfble one who grieves for the weak ling that dashes against him.
 Her eyes upraised toward the boat, a mass of whitish smoke now through which Ieaped playful reddish flames. Now and then a figure would dart to- ward the rail and lunge overheard, the bodies striking the water in great cir c1es that lost themselves in one an- other. And for second the thought came to her that even that inferno of ship was preferable to this man be- side her.
 .sWeH played, Miss Love-" the spy murmured silkily. But fear you must return the''
 A piercing shriek made him turn swiftly, a shriek that lost itself in the heavy crunching of wooden oars against wood. Came horrid pumping that seemed more like the crunehing of a wild beast upon bones than anything she had ever heard. Heat, intense steaming. beat upon her cheeks She looked up and only the dark hulk of the Empress Ioomed above her, onlY a Iurid flame Hlumined the heavens.
 She was conscious of her heavy clothing, sodden now with water; was conscious of the lack of support Some thing long and wooden tilted against her, and instinctively her fingers cIutrhed the oar which had hoated out to her. from their boat. which had been tossed and crushed against the burn ing liners side. Again she looked up. And within her soul fiickered the spark of combat which youth win not allow to die
 Consciousness lapsed slightly and was followed by state of dull apathy. Some instinct held Lucille's arms upon the oar that had hoated to her when the lifeboat smashed itself against the ssde of the burning Empress.
 Mountains of waves sfffeds along her path, bearing her gently to their crests ana passing her through the trough of sea to the next wave in line. From watchfng the myriad stars blazing in the heavens she became interested in frfdes, nes CT thinking of the precious papers she had rescued at so great effort from the international spy, for getting even the ones at Manila on whose behalf she had taken such risks to get them back Came long inter val of restfulness where everything grew dim and indistinct and the wa ter in which she was being tossed about seemed like fostering mother upon which. in perfect confidence, she could rest her weary head and sleep
 Little needles continually pricking at her flesh brought her from slumber so abruptly she sf1aightened bolt up right, staring aboul her incredulousIy. Every nerve and sinew of her body ached terribly, crampfng her so she could barely look about the long ex- panse of beach that seemed to stretch interminably in every direction Be hind her she finally managed to clear her eyes enough to make out lux urious vegetation, obviously tropical
 Safety meant little to her. Her brain was in such state that the providen- tial escape seemed natural. That she was alone upon an island in the Pa cific seemed simple enough Nothing mattered Again she closed her eyes and gave herself over to slumber which lasted until nightfaH.
 Securely hidden by the thick vegeta- Ron, she settled down, taking firm grip on herself and trying to reassem- ble the things that had happened tc her in such fashion that she mighi know what was best to be done. An6 always primarily did her thoughts re vert to the papers concealed in the bosom of her dress. the papers and the man who sought them.
 The papers. Undoubtedly there was something in them which would afort the clew. She stared at the oiled bell thoughtfully, fighting down the instinct which repelled her touching the-secretS of another.
 The bulky envelope from Washing ton to her father which the butler had stolen from the safe was still unbro- ken- She placed the packet to one side. knowing that is the spy did nos care to investigate the contents there could be nothing in them which would assist her. The diary she investigated next.
 ThoughtfuIly Lucille sat there, the diary in her lap. the picture of hel | mother in her hands. She knew the life of Hugo Loubeque now,sknew the dominating hatred of bis life. the love of his life, the gigantic efforts of tht l man, involving nations and humanity