Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-02

nington seized his little daughter
Annette and uncovered her head.
Never mind me- he said. Il want
refuge for this woman and the child. =
welcher was adamant. Not an
other ounce OF human flesh aboard
this boat" he said.
There was tug upon his arm. He
turned Little Neal Hardin, the cap.
tain's son. stood at attention and
touched his cap. He pointed with one
hand toward little Annette Iington.
Please. Mr.. Welcher.r he pleaded.
let her come aboard. She don't weigh
an ounce"
The mate turned savagely upon the
boy. You mind your own business,
brat" ne cried The boy stared at him
moment. then saluted and started
off
Yes. sir" he returned, that's what
I'm going to do"
He darted of on the run, and sought
his father, Captain Hardin.
There's just one ounce-a little bit
OF an ounce-wants TO come aboard.
captain-pop," he pleaded a tween
ty-weeaty little ounce Won't you let
it Gomez"
He dragged the captain forward.
The captain, laughing good-naturedly.
followed him
Meanwhile llington with sure dis.
elimination. placed the child in Man
,tg1fa t- q r,,,s ,r,c- ,,-o~o ,ra ee-a,a -, ID.
hative woman out upon the ladder.
Courage, Manuella.' he kept wbis-
pering; courage, Annette. They've
got to help you out
Captain Hardin leaned over the side.
Let the woman and child come
aboard he shouted back there, men
back. Welcher, let them come aboard -
"Ah-h-h," cried Ilington in a tone
of relief. With a final almost super
human effort he lifted Manuella to the
rail of the Princess, safely aboard. He
was about to pass the child to her, but
young Neal Hardin was holding out
his arms.
I'm good catch" said young Neal;
put it there"
Ilington glanced for one instant into
the frank face of Neal Hardin and the
captain of the ship. He drew a sigh of
relief. He nodded swiftly.
Whatever happens, thank God she
is in good hands" he said
Captain Hardin put his lips to his
megaphone.
Put her about there he shouted
out; full steam ahead"
Even as he said it there was fresh
shower of huge red cinders; some ash
some in molten state. There was an
added cry of agony from shore and
sea. Even the refugees aboard the
ship covered under the hail of fire in
terror Suddenly at the captains side
Manuella, the native woman, uttered
a gasp. A red-hot cinder of unusual
size had smitten her upon the temple
as she crouched low over little Annette
Ilington. Clutching the captain by
the arm she fell prone upon the deck
Young Neal Hardin sprang forward
and caught the child before she fell.
Manuella's breath came fast-the
thinnest portion of her skull had been
pierced by the jagged edges of the
cinder. Wild-eyed and frantic, but
well realizing that she was upon the
point of death. she caught young Neal
by the blouse
Il die-you take baby-some day
papa come--very-Tric
She said no more. The captain bent
over her, rose and glanced at WEIGH
er significantly Then he turned to
his young son Neal.
Take the little girl into our cabin.
Neal" he said. Give her to your
mother"
Neal clutched the warm bundle in
his arms and staggered with it aft.
AS Mrs. Hardin unwound the shawl
something dropped clinking to the
cabin floor. Neal seized it and handed
it to his mother.
ITS a. bag of gold" he said.
No sooner had he said it than an
other object fiuttered to the floor
an oilsilk packet sealed with sealing
wax. Mrs Hardin placed the two upon
a small stand set into the side wall of
the cabin. She continued to unwind
the shawl Again they started Pinned
to the child's dress was a crumpled
piece Of paper. and upon the piece of
paper was a hastily peneiled scrawl
Mrs. Hardin read it. This is what it
said:
L am Annette Ilington. heiress of
the lost isle of Cinnabar. will be very
rich some day. Save my clothes and
the oilskin packet until my father
comes for me or until am eighteen.
I must look out for man with saber
cut upon his face. Tor Gods sake
keep me safe"