The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-14

With a look OF panic she sat up,
thrust damp hair back from her eyes,
and nervously inquired:
Whats the natter"
Nothing" Barcus told her. 81 shut
the engine of-tbat's ALL"
Tempers were short In that hour,
n Alan was annoyed 10 think that
the rest OF his beloved should need.
lessly have been disturbed.
What did you do that for?' he do
manded sharply.
because | jolly we'll wanted to-"
Barcus returned In a tone as brusque.
"Oh, you did-eh?"
"Yes. I did-ehl ! happen TO be
bossing this end OF the boat and TO
have sense enough 10 realize there's
no sense at all In our wasting fuel the
way we are-~-cruislng nowherel"
Well" Law contended. struck by
the fairness OF this argument. but un.
able TO calm his uneasiness-"just the
same, we might"
Yes; of course. We might" Barcus
snapped. I'VE might a whole lot. We
might, for instance, be heading for
Spain. for all you or | know TO tho
contrary. And In such case, | for one
respectfully prefer to have gas enough
to take us home again II ever this
da-blessed fog llftsi"
And for several seconds longer the
stiffness strangled their spirits In It's
ruthless grasp.
Then OF n sudden a cry shrilled
through the fog, so near at hand that
IL seemed scarcely more distant than
owe the side:
Alloy! Help! Alloy there! Help!"
So insistent, 30 urgent was It's &C.
cent that, coupled with the surprise.
II brought the three as one 10 their
feet. all a.tremble, their eyes seeking
one another'a faces, then shifting un.
easily away.
What a II be?" Rose whispered.
aghast. shrinking into Alan's ready
arm.
"A woman" Barcus put in harshiy.
Judith" the girl moaned.
Alan shook himself together. I'm.
possible!" he commended. II saw her
81 uoWh
THAT doesn't prove she didn't come
up" Borcus commented acidly.
Alloy! Motorboat aho.o-oy! Help!"
And that" Barcus pursued sadly,
lust proves she did come up-blame
the luck! Alive she is. and Kicking:
stand clear. An a~ble-bodied pair OF
lungs was back OF that hail. my friend:
and you needn't tell me | don't know
the dulcet accents OF that angelic con
tralto!"
Without needing him. Alan cupped
hands to mouth and sent an answer
Ing cry ringing through the murk:
"Ahoy! Where are your Where
away?"
Thereon the acknowledgements
%perishing with chill"
How does my voice bear?" Alan
called back.
What the dickens do you carer"
Barcus in~terpolated susplciuosiy.
ITO port" the response rang through
the fog. "Starboard your helm and
come In slowly!"
"Right.o! Half q minute!" Alan re-
piled reassurinSly.
Like hell!" Mr.. Barcus muttered IN |
his throat as he jumped down into the
engine pit and bent over the ny.wheel.
Leabing on the forward thwart and
balancing himself p%erilously near the
gunwale, Alan strained his vision
vainly against the opacity OF the fog.
Cant make out anything" he
grumbled. looking back. start her
up-but slows the woodland ware
reef"
Nothing doing" Barcus retorted
CURLY. "The motto is now Full speed
astern!' Ms you must know"
20 come! We can't leave a woman
out therein a fix like that"
Cant we? You watch!" Barcus
grunted malevolently. rocking the
heavy nywheel with all his might; for
the motor had turned suddenly stub.
born.
"Alan!" Rose pleaded. laying a hand
upon his sleeve. Think what Il
means! ! know II sounds heartless OF
me-and It's my own sister. But you
know how mad she is-wild with ha.
tired and Jealousy. II you take her into
this boat, it's your life or hers!"
"If we leave her out there" Alan
retorted. shaking his arm impatiently
free. its her life on our heads!"
At this Juncture the motor took
of the argument. ending II In
summary fashion. With a smart ex.
In the cylinder. II started IN
unexpectedly. at one and the same
lime almost d~islocating the arm OF
Mr.. Barcus lad precipitating Alan
overheard.
1t was not given him TO know what
was happening until he found himself
n the water; he struggled to the sur.
ace just In time 70 see the bows of
he hfeboat back away and vanish into
he mist
CHAPTER XVI.
The Island.