The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-08
op your mudnook In North Amer.

drop your mudhook In North Amer
ica."
"Is that so7" said the giant, eying
the spanner and the shaking hand that
held 1t aloft.
1T is. I'll take your orders and do
the best l can, because you've got the
upper hand. But, God is witness,
you'll pay for every needless blow you
strike. Now what do you want me to
do?"
Lay down that spanner an come
on deck, I'll tell ye what t do. / was
goin' t. whale tn daylights out o. ye;
I ye're somethin' av a man. Drop
the spanner first"
Norton hesitated. AS 1.-THE as O IT,
ger the bulk OF man sprang at him
and crushed him to the floor, wrench
ing away the spanner. Then the giant
took Norton by the scruff OF his neck
and banged him up the steps to the
deck.
Il amt goin' t hurt ye. I had T.
show ye that no spanner ever bothered
Mike Bannock. Now, d. know what
cooks galley is?"
81 do" said Norton, breathing hard.
well, hike there an start in with
peelin' spuds, an don't waste EN-
neither ,That'll be all fer tn present
Ye were due for a wallopin' but
kinda like yer spunk."
So Jim stumbled down to the cooks
gallery and grimly set to work at the
potatoes. 1t might have been far
worse, But here he was, likely to be
on the high seas for months, and no
way of notifying Jones what had hap
pened. The outlook was anything but
cheerful. But a vague hope awoke in
his heart. II they were still after him
might 1t not signify that Florence
lived.
Meantime Braine had not been idle.
According to Vroon the girls memory
was in bad shape; so he had not the
least doubt Of bringing her back to
New York without mishap Once he
had her there the game would begin
in earnest. He played his cards ex-
ceedingly well. Steaming up into the
little fishing harbor with a handsome
yacht in itself would allay any dis
trust. And he wore a capital disguise,
too. Everything went well till he
laid his hand on Florence's shoulder.
She gave a startled cry and ran over
to Barnes. cllnging to him wildly.
mo, MOI" she cried.
Now what, my child?" asked the
sailor.
She shook her head. Her aversion
was inexplicable.
Come, my dear; cant you see that
1t is your father?" Braine turned to
the captain. "She has been like this
for year. Heaven knows II she'll
ever be in her right mind again."
sadly. Il was giving her an ocean
voyage, with the kindest nurses pos
slble, and yet she jumped overheard.
Come, Florence"
The girl wrapped her arms all the
tighter around Barnes neck.
An idea came into the old sailors
head. "of course, sir, we got proof
tibet she's your daughter?" .
proof" Braine was taken aback.
Eyes; somethin' t. prove that you're
her father. l got skinned out OF a
sloop once because | took a mans
word at its face value. Black an
white, an on paper, says |, hereafter"
But l never thought OF such a
thing" protested Braine, beginning
to lose his patience. 81 can't risk
sending to New York for documents.
She is my daughter, and you will find
it will not pay to take this peculiar
stand"
in black an white, r y can't have
her."
Braine thereupon rushed forward to
seize Florence. Barnes swung Flor
ence behind him.
81 guess she'll stay here a leetle
longer. sir"
Time was vital. and this obstinacy
made Braine furious. He reached
again for Florence.
Clear out O. here, r show your au-
thority," growled Barnes.
She goes with me, or you'll re-
greet it."
"All right. But guess tn law
won't hurt me none. I'm in my rights.
There's the door, mister"
81 refuse to go without her!"
Barnes sighed. He was on land o
man OF peace, but there was a limit
to his patience. He seized Braine by
the shoulders and hustled him out Of
the house.
Bring your proofs, mister, an
nothin morell be said; but till y
bring EN-, keep away from this cot
tage."
And, supplemented sailor that he
was, he thought this settled the mat
ter.
That night he kept his ears open for
unusual sounds, but he merely wasted
his nights rest. Quite naturally, he
reckoned that the stranger would
make his attempt at night. Indeed,