The Delta independent., 1914-09-04
1..oay.minded vixen is your blushins

..oouy-minded vixen is your blushins
bride-to-be?"
Alan shook a helpless head. The
thing defied reasonable explanation.
He made a feeble stagger at 1t 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-and her precise double
fooled me-not quite right in the head.
I'm afraid"
You may we'll be afraid, you poor
hat!" Mr.. Barcus snapped. "D'you
know what she did? Threw me over
board! Factl Came on deck while
ago. sweet as peaches-and all Of a
sudden whips out gun as big as a
cannon, points 1t at my head and or
ders me to luff into the wind. Before
/ could make sure / wasn't dreaming.
she had fired twice-in the air-a sig
nal to that blessed 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 already"
"But how did she happen to throw
you overboard?"
Happen nothing!" Barcus snapped,
letting to his feet "She did 1t a.
purpose-fiew at me like wildcat.
and before / knew what was up-I
was slammed backwards over the
rail"
Il can't tell you how sorry am"
Alan responded gravely. There's
more to tell-but one thing to be done
irst"
And that?" Mr.. Barcus inquired
suspiciously.
ITO get rid OF the lady" Alan an
nounced firmly. Make that fisher
man a present of the woman In the
case. You don't mind parting with
the dory In a good cause-if pay for
it,"
Take It for nothing" Barcus
grumbled. Cheap at the price!"
He took Alan's place. watching him
with a sardonic eye as he drew the
tender in under the leeward quarter.
made II fast. and reopened the com
panionway.
AS the girl came on deck with
out other invitation. in sullen rage
that only heightened her wonderful
loveliness. Alan noted that her nrst
look was for him. OF untempered ma
lignity; her second. for Barcus. with
curling lip; her third. astern. with
glimmer of satisfaction as she REQ
ognized how well the fisherman had
drawn up on the Seaventure.
Friends OF yours. inferf" Alan
inquired civilly.
Judith nodded.
Then II would save US some trouble
yourself included-if you'll be good
enough to step into the dory without q
struggle"
the rail and. as Barcus luffed, swung
herself oversize into the dory.
Immediately Alan cast OF. and a.
the little boat sheered on. Barcus.
with sigh OF relief. brought the Sea-
venture once more back upon her
course.
For some few minutes there was ST.
lence between the two men. while tho
tender dropped swiftly astern. the
woman plying brisk pair of oars.
Then, suddenly elevatins his nose.
Barcus snined audibly. Here" ho
said sharply. relieve me for a min
ute. will your want to go forward
and have a look at that motor"
In the time that he remained invis-
ible between decks the fisherman
iuffed. picked up the dory md it's
occupant. and came round again In
open chase OF the Seaventure.
When Barcus rcappeared II was
with grave face.
THE devil and the deep she." he OBJ
served obscuroly. coming aft. from
all their works, good Lord deliver usl"
whats the trouble now7"
Nothing muclI-only your playful
little friend has been up to another OF
her light-hearted tricks. II you
should happen TO want smoke or
anything to eat when you go below.
just find mirror and kiss yourself
eood-by before striking the match.
The drnin-cocks OF both fuel tanks
have been opened. and there are Up
wards OF hundred and fifty gallons
Of highly explosive gasoline sloshing
around in the bilgel"