The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-02-24

gallery and grimly set to work at this
potatoes. IL might have been fal
worse. But here he was, likely to be
on the high seas for months, and nc
way of notifying Jones what had hap
pened. The outlook was anything but
cheerful. But 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 - without mishap. Once he
had hIChere 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 Florences shoulder.
She gave a startled cry and ran over
TO Barnes, clinging to him wildly.
mo, no." she cried.
Now what, my child?" asked the
sailor.
She shook her head. Her aversion
was inexplcable.
Come, my dear; can't you see that
It is your father?" Braine turned to
the captain. She has been like this
for year. Heaven knows if she'll
ever be in her right mind again."
sadly. Il was giving her an ocean
voyage, with the kindest nurses DOS
sible, 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
mead. of course, sir, we got proof
tibet she's your daughter?"
Proof" Braine was taken aback.
Yes; somethin' t. prove that you're
her father. | 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 / never thought of such a
thing" protested Sgaine, 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.
Il 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 l guess tn law
won't hurt me none. I'm in my rights. |
There's the door, mister"
Il refuse to go without her!"
Barnes sighed. He was on land a
nan of peace, but there was a limit
% his patience. He seized Braine by |
he shoulders and hustled him out of |
he house.
Bring your proofs, mister, an
nothin' more'll be said; but till y
bring 'em, keep away from this cot
age"
And, simple-minded sailor that he
vas, he thought this settled the mat
er.
That night he kept his ears open for
unusual sounds, but he merely wasted
lis nights rest. Quite naturally, he
'eckoned that the stranger would
make his attempt at night. Indeed,
lie made it in broad daylight, with
Barnes not a hundred yards away,
alking a dory whose seams had
prung aleak. Braine had Florence
lpon the chartered yacht before the
I'D man realized what had happened.
lie never saw Florence again; but one
lay, months later. he read all about
Ter in a newspaper.
Florence fought; but she was weak.
nd 30 the conquest was easy. Braine
vas kind enough. now that he had
Ter safe. He talked to her, but she
merely stared at the receding coast.
"All right; don't talk If you don't
want to. Here" to one of the men,
take her to the cabin and keep her :
here. But don't you touch her. I'll
reak you IL you do. Put her In the
abin and guard the door; at least
eep an eye on 1t. She may take it
nto her head to Jump overheard"
Even the temporarily demented are
ot without a species of cunning.
florence had never seen Braine till
q appeared at the Barnes cottage Yet
he revolted at the touch of his hand.
IN the second day out toward New
'ork she found box of matches and
lithely set fire to her cabin, walked
ut into the corridor and thence to
he deck. When the fire was discov.
red it had gained too much Roadway
ha .tA hA oh |