Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-03


me into thinking you--l"
"Of course" she said simply. why
not? When saw her sleeping there
the mirror of myself, completely at
my mercy--what else should | think
Of than to take her place with the man
loved? knew you'd never know the
difference at least was fool enough
for the moment to believe could
stand being loved by you in her name !
It was only today. when I'd had time
to think, that realized how irnpos-
eible that was!"
A sudden slap Of the mainsail boom
athwartships and simultaneous cry
from over the stern reused Alan from
his CONSERVATION to fresh appreciation
Of the emergency. With scant consid-
Grafton he hustled the woman to the
companionway and below, slammed its
doors and closed her in with the slid
ling hatch-assss in breath-then
sprang to the tafrrail, Just in time to
lend helping hand sorely wanted by
Mr. Barcus in his efforts TO climb
aboard, after he had pulled the dory
up under the stern by it's painter.
He came over the rail In towering
temper.
II hope you'll pardon the apparent
impertinence he suggested acidly
as soon as able to articulate coher-
ently-"but may [ in0ufro II that
bloody-minded vixen is your blushing
bride-to-be7"
Alan shook q helpless head. The
thing defied reasonable explanation
He made feeble stagger at it with
out much satisfaction either to him
self or to the outraged Barcus.
"NO-it's all a damnable mistakei
She's her sister-I mean, the right
girls sister--Gnd her precise double
fooled me not quite right in the head,
I'm afraid"
you may well be afraid, you poor
fat!" Mr.. Barcus snapped. "D'you
know what she did? Threw me over
board! Fact! Came on deck while
ago, sweet as peaches--and all of a
sudden whips out a gun as big as a
cannon, points it at my head and or.
ders me to luff into the wind. Before
! could make sure ! wasn't dreaming,
she had fired twlce-in the air-a sig
nal to that hsessed fisherman astern
there-at least, they answered with
two toots of a power whistle and
changed course to run up to us. Look
how she's gained alreadyI"
But how did she happen to throw
you overboard?"
Happen nothlng!" Barcus snapped,
getting to his feet. "She did it a.
purpose-fiew at me like wildcat,
and before / knew what was up--I
was slammed backwards over the
rail-"
4 can't tell you how sorry am. !"
Alan responded gravely. There's
more to tell-but one thing to be done
first.
"And that?" Mr.. Barcus inquired
suspiciously
3 ITO get rid Of the lady" Alan an
nounced firmly. Make that fisher
man present Of the woman in the
case. You don't mind parting with
the dory in good cause-if ! pay for
itfn
Take It for nothing" Barcue
grlmbled. Cheap at the priceH'
He took AIan's place, watching him
with sardonic eye as he drew the
tender in under the leeward quarter,
made 1t fast, and reopened the com
panionway
As the girl came on deck with
out other Invitation, in a sullen rage
that only heightened her wonderful
loveliness, Alan noted that her first
look was for him, Of Entempered ma
lignity; her second, for Barcus, with
a curling lip; her third. astern, with
gIimmer of satisfaction as Sue rec
ognized how well the fisherman had
drawn up on the Seayenture.
Friends of yours, ! infer?" Alan
inquired civilly.
Judith nodd@i
"Then it would save US some trouble
yourself included-if you'll be good
enough to step into the dory without a
struggle"
Without word, Judith stepped to
the rail and, as Barcus Iuffed, swung
herself oversize into the dory.
Immediately Alan cast off, and as
the little boat sheered off. Barcus,
with sigh of relief, brought the Sea
venture once more back upon her
course.
For some few minutes there was 81
lence between the two men, while the
tender dropped swiftly astern, the
woman plying brisk pair Of oars.
Then, suddenly elevating his nose,
Barcus shifted audibly. Here" he
said sharply, relieve me for min
ute, win you? I want to 60 forward
and have a look at that motor
IN the time that he remained invis-
ibIe between decks the fisherman
luffed, picked up the dory and its
occupant, and came round again in
t,,.1., .1t,-< 30 4te nao t,Ywa