The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-12-17
oOpyrlghs, i0l4. by Louis Joseph Vance

Tempers were short in that hour,
and Alan was annoyed to think that
the rest Of his beloved should need
lessly have been disturbed
What did you do that forH'' he de
manded sharply.
Because l jolly well wanted to,
Barcus returned in q tone as brusque.
"Oh. you did-eh?"
Yes, | did-eh! 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 to calm his uneasiness-"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 l know to the
contrary. And in such case, l for one
respectfully prefer to have gas enough
10 take US home again II ever this
ua-DleSSeu log Illus!
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
! 1t seemed scarcely more distant than
over the side:
Alloy! Help! Alloy there! Help"
So insistent, so urgent was its ac-
cent that, coupled with the surprise,
it 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 it be?" Rose whispered,
aghast, shrinking into Alan's ready
arm.
"A woman" Barcus put in harshly.
Judith" the girl moaned.
Alan shook himself together. I'm
possible!" he contended. Il saw her
go down
THAT doesn't prove she didn't come
up" Barcus commented acidly.
Alloy! Motorboat aho-o-oy Help"
And that" Barcus pursued sadly.
Just proves she did come up-blame
the luck! Alive she is, and kicking;
stand clear. An able-bodied pair of
lungs was back of that hail, my friend;
and you needn't tell me l don't know
the dulcet accents of that angelic con-
| tralto!"
Without needing him, Alan cupped
hands to mouth and sent an answer.
ing cry ringing through the murk:
Alloy! Where are you? Where
away?"
"Here-on the reef-half-drowned-
perishing with chill"
How does my voice bear?" Alan
called back
What the dickens do you care"
Barcus interpolated suspiciuosly.
ITO port" the response rang through
the fog. "Starboard your helm and
come in slowly!"
"Right-o Half minute!" Alan re
piled reassuringly.
Like hell" Mr.. Barcus muttered IL
his throat as he jumped down into the
engine pit and bent over the fy-wheel
Leaping on the forward thwart anC
balancing himself perilously near th'
gunwale, Alan strained his visior
vainly against the opacity of the fog
Cant make out anything" ht
grumbled, looking back. start he
up-but slows the word-and war
reef"
Nothing doing" Barcus retortet
curtly. The motto is now Full speet
astern!' as you must know"
20 come! We can't leave a womal
out therein fix like that!"
Cant we? You watch!" Barcu
grunted malevolently, rocking tn
heavy fiywheel with all his might; TO
the motor had turned suddenly stut
born.
"Alan!" Rose pleaded, laying han
upon his sleeve. Think what
means! | know it sounds heartless @
I me-and it's my own sister. But yo
know how mad she is-wild with hi
tired and jealousy. If you take her int
this boat, it's your life or hers!"
IF we leave her out there" Ala
retorted, shaking his arm inpatient
| free, its her life on our heads!"
4 At this juncture the motor too
/ charge of the argument, ending 1t
i summary fashion. With smart e.
\ plosion in the cylinder, it started u
U unexpectedly, at one and the san
/ time almost dislocating the arm
| Mr.. Barcus and precipitating Ala
II overheard.
H 1t was not given him to know VIII,
II was happening until he found himse
II in the water; he struggled to the su
H face just in time to see the bows
Il the lifeboat back away and vanish in
the mist.
III CHAPTER XVI.