The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-10-23

you are-=and after all, its my loss;
I've got to buy. you another boat Al
you've lost is your temper"
"And my susceptibility to the charms
of the well.known SEX" Mr.. Barcus
corrected. Nothing can ever restore
my lost, faith in gentle woman's gentle
ness. When you brought that young
woman aboard, thought butter
wouldn't melt In her mouth, and for a
while I actually contemplated doing
her the kindness OF tipping you over
into the drink, sos she could lavish
her tender affections on regular guy,
someone able to appreciate her-mean-
ing me, of course. And first thing l
know, she ups and points gun at my
head and tips me overheard, and then
makes a pretty bonfire out OF my
sailboat. And all the excuse you can
produce is that she's crazy in the
head! Well, who said she wasn't7
Any woman who would consent to
,elope with you is fit subject for a
commission de lunatico inquirendo. all
right!
"If you inflicted any such monologue
as that on Judith" retorted Mr.. Law,
II don't blame her for trying to STAY
you, and I'm sorry interfered."
There's gratitude for you!" Mr..
Barcus remarked bitterly. Il risk my
life for you. and you won't even let
me talk about it,"
ut isn't your talking mind-it's
the everlasting noise you make" Mr..
Law explained. "Besides-listen!"
For IL moment the two maintained
attentive silence.
A silken whisper troubled the 81.
,lence, little tlutter Of sound from far
across the waters. Gradually it gath
cred volume. became recognizable as
the lisp of cautious oars.
'T'm going away from here" Mr..
tI3arcus announced guardedly, and gath;
cred his legs under him preparatory
ito rising.
"Half second" Alan Law insisted,
rising in turn and grasping the other
iby the arm. They've got to land
haven't they?-and leave the boat
while they look for US. Well. then,
what's to prevent our hiding in the
dunes and"
In the next breath, Look QUIT" he
shrieked.
With no. warning. whatever, and
within fifty feet OF them, a CHASTITY
fare broke out in full blaze on the
surface of the water. revealing the
shape Of dory which had drawn in
unseen under cover OF the profound
darkness, and at the same time dis
covering to its occupants the two
startled figures on. the beach.
Before they could stir the weird
light glimmered on polished weapon
in the bow of the boat, a sptteful
tongue OF reddish fame spat out, a
bullet sang between Messrs. Law and
Barcus, and with a sad thud OF disap-
pointment buried itself in the sands of
the wave-eaten blur behind them.
Like twin automatons stirred to ac-
ton by the report, the two turned and
pelted of down the beach, to escape
I1hL uGduAS alta VI
Other shots sped after them, but
none was 80 well aimed, and presently,
finding break in the bluff, they
swung OF into the grateful shelter OF
the night-wrapped dunes.
Meantime the dory had grounded on
the beach. and its several occupants
four or five OF them, all men. appar-
ently-jumping out, set OF In pursuit
OF the fugitives, following the tracks
in the sand.
The blackness of the night, how
ever, conspired with the savage laby:
rInth of the dunes to save Alan and
his companion. 5!fs,ES
Within another five minutes while
still the pursuit ffoundered ,andS bias
phemed at random round quarter.
mile to the south-Mr. Law and Mr..
Barcus were noiselessly squlFming on
their bellies. like two snakes in the
beach.grass, up the back OF q ten-foot
bluff. And presently from its brow
they looked down on the spot where
the dory lay, only its bow out Of water,
its stern atloat, under armed guard.
Very slowly and stealthily Alan got
to his feet and swung, back over his
shoulder heavy clubtof driftwood.
A match spluttered. beside, the dory
and famed in the still air, relieving
with Its reddish glow a bronzed and
evil visage.
The guard pulled fast and. had the
tobacco well aglow when the sky took
advantage Of his ,trustfnlness and. fell
upon him like an avalanche.
Simultaneously Alan and Barcus de.
seconded the face OF the bluff in. two
miniature landslldes, dug themselves
out, and by the. time the dazed and
disarmed guard had sufficiently recov-
cred to cry out for help the dory was
a hundred yards off the beach aud
making excellent time in the direction
Of that lonely green light.
The Trey o. Hearts will be shown
Mt the Colonial Theater Thursday