The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-12-31
CHAPTER XIII.
A Pretty Stowaway

~
lesser sounds from above. the
terrible creaking of the cargo as the
vibrations Strengthened it into place.
linen Lucille was suddenly aware that
they We're under way; that she was
alone here in the bowels of the boat.
Terror beset her on every side. Rats
scampered about. their paws making
dreadful scraping sound like sand
paper being run over a smooth surface
OF boarding
But always, when her courage had
fairly cbbed. would come another pic.
ture. 1t was as though her horror pop
ping eyeballs had forced poignantly
home to her the vision of Manila; Of
her father, grieving himself to death
at her absence; of the shipwreck; her
sweetheart, imprisoned. with every
hand turned against him, with the Girl
he loved away. She must bring back
the papers which I.oubeque carried;
she must clear her lover.
Day and night-uight and day-there
was no difference between the two in
this black hole. 1t seemed to her that
they must be near the end of their
journey, judging by the torments she
had been through, when swaying
light directly over her head made her
dart hastily back and strive to hide
behind a looming bale. The exclama-
ton Of surprised incredulity which
sounded in her ears told that she had
been discovered. In an instructive eff
fort to hide she struck against Il bale
that had partially dislodged itself aud
sent it laundering against a second
stack. In Il moment the hold was filed
with tumbling boxes and bales, top
ping, reeiing, thrashing laundering
IN every direction. Lucille saw plainly
above her face that framed popping
eyes and widened lips.
Swiftly she leaped upon box that
had formed the foundation for a pyra-
mid. AS though by instinct the sailor
flung the lantern from him and reached
down his hands. Lucille felt his
fingers clutching at her wrists. Then
slowly, SO slowly it seemed she would
never succeed in getting through that
trap, she was lifted up, up to the deck
where she lay painting and GREATNESS,
the man beside her fairly whistling
from the exertion of once more breath
ing freely.
Slowly smile spread over his
weather beaten face as lie scanned the
sllken suit in which she was array ed.
Lucille saw that she had made friend
already and Immediately pressed her
advantage.
Nobody must know you found me
there" she began hurriedly, then, as
he started to protest, NO, no. Please
listen
Again the sailor shook his head a
troubled expression in his eyes. I.u-
cllle knew that she had lost and. i'll
stead Of pleading, took the next best
course that seemed open to her.
Then, if you must. bring the cap
tain to me instead Of parading me be-
lore every one / would not ask YOU
this, but l have an enemy aboard and
on, can she closed her lips quick.
~, as the hint Of CLEAN Of ayarice
showed In the mans eyes. After a sec
ond's thought he nodded briefly and
moved hurriedly away
Lucille had no time for regret M her
discovery. She had felt all along that
1t was inevitable, but had refrained till
now from figuring on what explana-
ton she could make in such event
That expression. the swift change on
the sailors face. rs he thought her on
the point of mentioning money. verified
uef instructive knowledge that she
must keep her ownership of the mag
nlncent ruby necklace secret She knew
that the best Of men would be temDtrd
ny such kings ransom as the mar.
felous jewels represented. Likewise
sne felt that it would be unwise, under
any circumstances, to entrust any one
with the knowledge that she possessed
the international spy's diary. This much
she had concluded when the captain
STAMPED heavily across to her. followed
by the sailor, his face frowning black
~, but with curious twinkle in his
eyes the girl was quick to discern.
And SO the young lady with murder.
GUS tendencies was on board my boat
all along Of course you understand
that 1 must put you in irons and turn
you over to the authorities at San
Francisco"
Some impulse impelled her, an i'm
pulse to put on 4 manner altogether
at variance with her nature. She drew
herself saucily erect, meeting his eve.
with laughter lurking in her own.
"Of course, you don't intend doing
any such thing" she retorted bold,
~. Il was sick and the woman they
Aeft to nurse me sneaked in the
room late at night and tried to stall
me. saw her slip out and was suspi
clous of her. so l slipped behind the
door and grabbed the mans gun when
he put it on a chair. Anybody wou,d
have done exactly the same thing and
1 KNOW. anyway, that you would neve,
turn an American girl over to those
horrible Cinnamon"
The captains frown disappeared
well, l guess that's about true" he
admitted. "But why didn't Won come
to me i'll the first place; why didn't
you want to come to me when YOU
were caught; what do you EXPECT is
to be done with you:"
Il didn't come to you because the
man who acted. as Interpreter is an
enemy OF mine who would do anything
. Oh earth to be rid of mel mean Huge
Loubeque, the one who spoke witt
the Chinese officer when they searched
the boat They friohfnnad ma So