Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-10-05

our destination" And he nodded significantly
toward the ships riding at anchor.
Florence felt her heart sink in spite Of her
abundant courage. Were they going to take
her TO again? She had acquired horror
of the sea, so big, so terrible, so strong. She
had had an experience with it's sullen power
They had gone about four miles down when
she looked back longingly toward shore.
Something white seemed to be spinning over
the water far behind. At first sne could not
discern what it was. AS she watched 1t II
grew and grew. 1t finally emerged from the
illusion of gigantic bird into the actuality
Of an everyday hydroplane. Her heart gave
a great bound. This flying machine was com.
ing directly toward the launcn; 1t did not de.
viate a hairs breadth from the line. Fortu-
nately the men were looking toward a huge
freighter quarter of a mile farther on. and
from their talk it was evident that that
freighter was to be ner prison-bound for
where? Nearer and nearer came the hydro
plane. Was it for herr
1t was impossible for the men not to take
notice of the barking of the engines at last.
"The things heading for usr'
Vroon stared under his palm. 1t was not
credible tnat pursuit had taken place SO
quickly. To test yonder man-bird he abb
rupty changed the course of the launch. The
hydroplane veered it's course to suit.
Florence heard her name called family
One Of the men drew his revolver, but vroon
knocked it out of his hand.
"There's the police boat, you fool!'
Jump" voice called to Florence.
She flung herself into the water without the
slightest hesitation.
All this came about something after this
fashion. When Norton arrived at the foot of
Corey street boatman informed him that q
young woman of his description had gotten
into fast motor boat and had gone down
the river.
WAS there any struggleT'
struggleG None tnat could see She
didn't make no fuss about going"
Have you a launchT'
Yes. but the other boat has half an hours
start, and I'd never catch her in thousand
years. But there's hydropane little above
mere. You might interest the feller that
runs it."
"Thanksw
But the aviator would not listen.
"A life may hang in the balance, mani!
sxpostulatsd Norton, longing to pommel the
stubborn man.
"What proof have of thatT'
Norton showed his card and badge.
20, seer jeered the aviator. "A little
newspaper stunt In which am to be the
goat. 1t can't be done, Mr. Norton; it can't
be done"
"a hundred dolars!'
"Not for five hundred" and the aviator
callously turned away toward the young woni-
an with whom he had been conversing prior
to Norton's approach. The two walked .
dozen yards away.
Norton had not served twelve years as .
metropolitan newspaper man for nothing. He
approached the mechanics who were putterina
about the machine.
" How about twenty apieceT he began.
"For what?' the men asked.
Fer sending that paddle around fen
times"
SECT up into that seat, but don't toucH
any of those levers" one of them warned.
Twenty is twenty, Jack and the boss is 3
sorehead today anyhow. Give her shove for
the fun Of it"
1t was dumfounded aviator who saw his
hydroplane skim the water and a moment
later sail into the air. These swift moving
days a reporter of the first caliber is supposed
to be able to run railroad engines, subma-
rines, flying machines, conduct war; able tt
shoot, walk run, swim. fight, think, 60 with
out food like a pytnon, and live without wstsr
like a camel. Norton had flown many times
during the last four years AT the momens
he called out to Florence to jump he dropped
to the water with all the skill of an old time1
and took her aboard. And he could not use .
line of this exploit for his paperi
Jones heard tine bell. 1t was the agent
from the Black Hundred. He smiled jauntily.
"Well. old fox, we've eornered you at last,
haven't we7 I want that money, or Har-
greave's daughter takes another sea voyage.
and this time she will not jump overheard
A million; and no more nonsense"
"Give me fifteen minutes to decide" begged
Jones, hoping against hope.
4" Fifteen secondsF
"Then we can't do business. What Give
you a million, knowing you ell to be pack
of liars? Bring Miss Florence back and the
money Is yours. We are tired of fighting"
As indeed Jones really was. The strain had
been terrific for weeks.
"The money first. We don't lie any better
than you do. Fork over. You'll have to trust
us. We have no use for the girl once We get
the cash"
"And you'll never touch penny Of It you
blackguardg' cried Norton from the doorway.