davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
why | believe you. but | do-and here's
my handl"
CHAPTER xi.
Blue Water.

Blue Water.
Anxiety ate like an acid at Alan's
heart. II this shift to the sea might
DO thought a desperate venture, he
was n weathered saltwater man and
undismayed.
But when he re-entered the hotel
one surprising thing happened that
gave him new heart-momentarily II
seemed almost as II his luck had
turned. For. ne he paused by the desk
OF the cashier to demand his bill, the
elevator gate opened and Rose came
out eagerly to meet him with an eager
air OF hope that masked measurably
the signs OF fatigue.
II worried 30 | couldn't rest" she
told him ~guardedly as he drew her
aside: so ! arose and got ready. and
watched from the window till | saw
you drive up"
He acquainted her briefly with his
fortune.
But she seemed unable to echo his
confidence or even 10 overcome the
h~eavinees OF her spirits when their
cab. without misadventure. set them
down at the wharf.
Here. Alan had feared. was the cru.
cial point OF danger-if the influence
OF the trey OF hearts was TO bring
disaster upon them It would be here.
In the hush and darkness OF this de.
serted water front. And he bore him.
self most warily as he helped the girl
from the car and to the gnngplank OF
the Seaventure. But nothing hap.
pcned; while Mr.. Barcus was az good
as his word. Alan had barely set foot
on deck. following the girl. when the
~gangplank came aboard with n clatter,
and the S~eaventure swung away from
the wharf.
Until the distance was too great for
even a flying leap Alan fingered watch.
fully on deck.
At length, satisfied that all was we'll.
he returned to the cabin.
"All right" he nodded: we're clear
OF that lot. apparently; nobody but the
three OF US aboard. Now you'd best
turn In. This is evidently to be your
stateroom. this one to port. and you'll
have n long nights sleep 10 make up
for what you've gone through-dear.
est"
Ho drew nearer, dropping his voice
tenderly. And of n sudden. with a
little low cry, the girl came into his
arms and chung ~pasionately to him.
But you?" she murmured. you
need rest rs much az /! What about
you?"
"Oh, no ! don't" he commended. re.
sides I'll have plenty Of time to rest
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

with the cunning OF a madwoman. the
Ing chlld-the face OF the woman that
sat beside him. duplicating It's every
perfect feature so nearly that even he
who loved the one could scarcely dis
tinguish her from the other but by In
stinct. intuition. blind guesswork. d.
He nodded heavy.hearted conirma-
ton OF a surmise slowly settling into
conviction In his mind. that such Gun.
ming. such purpose and ~pertinacity
could not possibly spring from a mind
well balanced. that the woman. Judith
Urine, sister to the Rose he loved so
well. was as mad as that monomaniac,
her father, who sat helpless In his
cell OF silence and shadows In New
York. daT after day. eating his heart
out with impotence for the word that
his vengeance had been contaminated
by the daughter whom he had inspired
to execute Il.
An hour late, in dusk OF evening.
the train numbered into Portland sta
ton: and. heart in mouth, Alan helped
Rose from the steps. shouldered a way
for her through the crowd. and almost
lifted her into a taxicab.
Best hotel In town" he demanded.
and be quick about it-for q double
tip"
He communicated his one desperate
scheme TO the girl on route, receiving
her Endorsement Of II. So. having reg
istered for her and seen her safely TO
the door OF the best available In
the house within ready call OF the pub
lie lobby and office. he washed up.
gulped a hasty meal-which Rose had
declined TO share, pleading fatigue
and hurried away into the night with
only the negro driver OF n public hack.
picked UP haphazard at some distance
from the hotel. for his guide.
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
cHAPTER TX.
Forewarned.


The thing was managed with an In
genuity that Alan termed devilish-it
was indisputably Machiavellian.
The lovers had come down from the
North In hot haste and the shadow OF
death Two days OF steady travelling
by canoe. by woods trail, by lake
steamer-forty-eight hours Of fatigue
and strain eased by not one instant's
relaxation from tho high tension OF
vigilance upon which their very lives
depended wore to a elimination
through THE tedious afternoon on the
train from Moosehead--a trap OF phys
fcal torment only made possible by
Alan's luck In securing. through sheer
accident. two ~parlor-car reservations
turned back at the last moment be-
fore leaving Kineo station.
No matter-the longest afternoon
must have It's evening.
As II In answer TO this thought, the
train slowed down with whistling
brakes to the last hill-station. and as
the trucks groaned and moved anew,
a lout OF a boy came galloping down
b aisle. brandishing two yellow en-.
velopes and blatting like n stray calf;
"Mista Lawrl Mlsta Lawrl Tel.
grams for Mista Lawr!"
Alan had been expecting at every
station n prepaid reply to his wire for
reservations on the night express from
Portland TO New York.
But why two envelopes superscribed
-Mr. A. Law, Kineo train s%outhbound.
Oakland Sta"
He tore one open. unfolded the in.
closure. and grunted disgust with its
curt advice, opened the other and
caught his breath sharply as he with.
drew-part way only-a playing card.
n trey OF hearts.
Thrusting II back quickly. he clapped
both envelopes together. tore them
into a hundred fragments. and scat.
tered them from the window. But
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
Flames Licked Out Al over IN.
Schooner.

.ng TO the surface n good ten ward.
rom the Scayouture. For the next
several seconds they were swimming
'roni!coIly, aud not until three hun
drcd feet or more separated them
from the schooner did either dare
pause for breath or q backward glance.
Then the impact of the launch
against tho S~caycuturo's side rang out
across the waters, and with a husky
roar the launch blew up. spewlng sky.
wards a Widespread fan OF flame. over
he So%a'cnturc, Rs this famed aud
died, pale fire seemed to hover like a
tremendous pail OF phosphorescenca, a
weird and CHASTITY glare that suddenly
descended 10 tho decks. There fol.
lowed Il cracking noise, a sound m
OF the labored breathing OF a giant;
and bright flames, orange. crimson.
violet and gold, licked out all over the
schooner, from stem to stern. from
deck TO tOpmasts.
II seemed several minutes that she
burned In this wise-it was probably
not 30 long-before her decks blew
up and tho flames swept roaring to
the sky,
ny tRf w. Alan and Barcus. swim.
ming Sar had gained a shoai
which i"SSitted them footing In
wnistdeep waters. the s~eaventure had
burned 10 the waters edge.
ITO BE coRTINUEDI
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
CHAPTER KIN.
No Quarter.


Yes, yes" said Mr.. Barcus lndul
gently, breaking a long silence. VERY
interesting. Very interesting. indeed
I've seldom listened 10 n more enter.
tanning life.history. my poor Young
friend. But | tell you candidly. AZ
mar 10 man, ! don't believe one word
OF II. It's all d-n foolishness,"
Ills voice took on n plaintiyo ac.
cent. Particularly this!" he expos.
tulated. and waved an indignant hand.
comprising their plight.
1.-THE rest OF your adventures are
reasonable enough" he said, they
won my credulity-and I'm n native Of
Missouri. But this last chapter ia i'm.
possible. And that's fiat. Il couldn't
happen-and has. And there, in a
n OF speaking. we are!"
The wind had gone down with ,ha
sun. leaving the ~seaventure becalmed
her motor long since inert for want
Of fuel-in shoal water n mile or so
OF the desolate and barren coast tha,
Barcus. out of his Astounding knowl
edge OF those waters. named Nause,
Beach.
Still another mile further on sho,o
the ~so'called Gloucester nshsrman
rods' without motion. waters IA stllI
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

OF than to take her place with the man
] loved? | knew you'd never know the
~dinerence-at least ! was fool enough
for the moment 10 believe could
stand being loved by you In her name!
II was only today, when I'd had time
to think, that | realized how impos-
sible that was!"
A sudden slap OF the mainsail boom
athwartships and n simultaneous cry
from over the stern reused Alan from
HIS Consideration 10 fresh appreciation
Of the emergency. With scant consid.
GRAFTON he hustled the woman 10 the
companiOnway and below. slammed It's
doors and closed her In with tho slid.
ing hatch-all In Il breath-thcn
sprang to the t%afrrall, Just In time 20
lend a helping hand sorely wanted by
Mr.. Barcus in his efforts to climb
aboard, after he had pulled the dory
up under the stern by It's painter.
He came over the rail In a towering
temper.
Il hope youn pardon the apparent
impertinence," he suggested acidly,
as soon as able To articulate coher.
ently-"but may l inquire II that
bloody.minded vixen IL your blushing
b~ride.to.be?"
Alan shook a helpless head. The
thing dehed reasonable explanation.
lie made a feeble stagger at II with.
out much satisfaction either to him
self or to the outraged Barcus.
Motifs all a damnable mistakel
She's her sister, mean. tho right
girls sister-and her precise double
fooled me--not quite right In tie head,
I'm afraid"
"You may well be afraid. you poor
matt" MIR. Barcus snapped. "D'you
know what she didH Threw me over.
board! Factl Came on deck q while
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

His first glance discovered the wheel
deserted. the woman with back TO him
standing at the taffrail. Barcus-no-
where to be seen. The second con.
frmed his surmise that the S%eaventure
had come up into the wind. and now
was yawing on wildly into the trough
of a stif II not heavy sea. A third
showed him. to his a%mazement. the
Gloucester fisherman - overhauled
with such ease that morning and now.
by rights. well down the northern hort.
zon-not two miles distant. and stand.
ing squarely for the smaller vessel.
Bewildered. he darted to the girls
side, with a shout, demanding to
know what was the matter. She
turned to him n face he hardly recog.
nized-but still he didn't understand.
The inevitable inference seemed a
thing unthinkable: his brain faltered
when asked to credit IL. Only when
no saw her tearing frantically at the
painter. striving to cast Il on and with
Il the dory towing n hundred feet or
so astern. and when another wonder.
ing glance had discovered the head
and shoulders OF Mr.. Barcus rising
over the stern of the dory as he strove
to lift himself out OF tho water-only
then did Alan begin to appreciate
what had happened.
Even so. II was with the feeling that
all the world and himself as we'll had
one stark. raving mad. that he seized
the girl and. despite her struggles. tore
her away from the rail before she had
succeeded In unknotting the painter.
"Rose!" he cried stupidity. Rose!
What's the matter with your Don't
you see what you're doing?"
Defiance inflamed her c~ountenance
and accents. Cant you ever say any.
thing but Rose! Rosel Rose!' Is
there no other name that means any.
thing TO you? Can't you understand
how intolerable II is to me? | love
you no less than she-better than she
ever dreamed OF loving you-because
| hate you, too! What IL love that
Is no more than love? Can't you un.
derstand?"
judith ne cried IN n voice or stu
%pefaction. "But-Good Lord!-how
did you get aboard? Where's Rose?"
where you'll not find her easily
again." the woman angrily retorted.
Trust me for that
What do YOU mean" Illumination
came in n binding flash. "Do you
mean II was you-you whom ! brought
aboard last night?"
who clse?"
You waylaid her there in the hotel,
substituted yourself for her. deceived
mo into thinking you"
"Of course" she said simply. why
not? When ! saw her sleeping there
the mirror Of myself. completely ut
my mercy-what else should | think
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

and before I knew what was up-f
was slammed back wards over the
rail"
Il cant tell you how sorry | am"
Alan responded gravely. There's
more to tell-but one thing to be done
first
And that" MFR. Barcus inquired
suspiciously.
ITO get rid OF the lady" Alan In.
nounced firmly. MAKE that fisher
man a present OF the in the
case. You don't mind parting with
the dory in a good cause-if | pay for
IT,"
Take II for nothing" Darcus
grumbled. Cheap at the price,"
He took Alan's place, watching him
with n sardonIc eye as he drew the
tender in under the lecward quarter.
made II fast. and reopened the com.
p~anionway.
As the girl came on deck with.
out other invitation. In n sullen rage
that only heightened her wonderful
lovelincss. Alan noted that hcr first
look was for him. OF untempored ma.
Lightly.
Friends Of yours. l infer7" Alan
inquired Civilly.
Judith nodded.
Then II would save us some trouble
yourself included 1T younl be good
enough to step into tho dory without "A
struggle"
Without n word, Judith stepped to
tho rail and, M Barcus lurcd, swung
herself oversize into tho dury.
Immediately Alan cast OF, md as
the little boat shocrcd or, uaraas,
with a sigh Of relief, brought the SEN.
venture ouco more back upon her
course.
For come few minutes there was ST.
l"nco between the two men. while the
tender dropped swiftly as,orn, the
woman plying n brisk pair Of oars.
Then. suddenly ~elcvatiug his nose.
Rarcus shifted audihly. Here" ne
said sharply, relieve me for a min.
ute, will you? | want L go forward
and have n look at that motor"
When Barcus ~reappeared II was
with n grave face,
THE devil and the deep She" ne OBJ
served ~obscurcly. coming aft, from
all their works, good Lord deliver us, "
whats the trouble now"
Nothing much-only your playful
little friend has been up to another Of
her lighthoarted tricks, n you
should happen to want n smoke or
anything to eat when you go below,
Just ind "A mirror and kiss yourself
good.by before striking the match
The drnin.cocks Of both fuel tanks
have been opened, and there are up
warda Of Il hundred and Afty gallons
OF highly explosive gasoline eloshlug
around IN the bilgo!"
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
XII.
Down the Cape.

At four o'clock, or shortly after,
Alan was awakened by boot.heels
pounding imperLtiyely overhead. and
went on deck again. 10 stand both dog.
watches-saw the sun lift up smiling
over a world Of tumbled blue water,
crossed the wake OF a Cunard liner In.
bound for Boston. raised and over.
hauled a graceful but %buslnesslike fish.
erman (from Gloucester, Barcus
opined when called 10 stand his trick
al eight and saw II a mile or two
astern when-still aching with fatigue
he was free to return to his berth
for another four,hour rest.
This time misguided consideration
induced Barcus TO let his crew sleep
through the first afternoon watch. Six
bells we're ringing when. In drowsy ap-
prehension that something had gone
suddenly and radically wrong. Alan
walked.
lie was on deck again almost before
he rubbed the sleepiness from his
eyes, emerging abruptly from the half.
light OF the cabin to a dazzle Of sun.
light that filled the cup OF day with
rarehed gold. even as he passed from
con yiction OF security to realization OF
immediate and extraordinary peril
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

ago, sweet as peache-end all OF =
sudden whips out a gun rs big rs a
cannon. points It at my head ana OF
ders mo TO lun into tho wind BEFORE
could make SUR ! wasn't dreaming
she had fired twice-in the air-a sig
nal to that blessed fisherman asterh
there-at least, they answered with
two toots of a power whistle ana
changed course to run up to US. LOOK
how she's gained already"
"But how did she happen 10 throw
you overheard"
Happen nothlngl" Barcus snapped.
getting to his feet. she did II a
p~urpose-new at me like a wildcat,
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

tho fiendish wind whisked one small
scrap back-and only one!-lnto the
lap Of the woman he loved.
Vainly he prayed that she might
be asleep. The silken laslles trembIed
on her cheeks and lifted slightly, dis.
closing the dark gliuimer OF question.
Ing eyes. And as she clipped the scrap
Of cardboard between thumb and fore.
finger he bent forward and silently
o II from her-One corner OF he
trey OF hearts. but inevitably a corner
bearing the figure "3" above a heart.
"The Pullman agent at Portland
wires no reservations available on any
New York train in the next thirty six
bOurs." he said with lowered voice.
Couldn't we possibly catch the New
York boat tonight"
He shook Il glum head. mol
hooked that up FIRST. II leaves before
we get In"
She said. TOO bad" abstractediy,
reciosed her yes. and apparently
iapsed anew into semisomnolence-
but without deceivtng him who could
well guess what poignant anxiety
gnawed at her heart
He could have ground his teeth in
evaporation.
To think that this vas America, this
the twsntieth century. the apex OF the
highest form OF civilization the world
had ever known--and sim a mar
could be hunted from pillar TO post.
haunted with threats. harried with ut.
tempts At assassination In q hundred
forms-and that By 4 slip Of Q girl
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
CHAPTER K.


He wasted the better part OF an
hour in fruitless and perhaps III
advised Inquiries; then his luck, such
as II was, led him on suspicion down
a poorly lighted wharf, at the ex.
IRENE end OF which he discovered a
lonely young mar perched atop Il pile,
hands In pockets, gaze turned TO n
tide whereon. now black night had
fallen, pallid wralths OF yachts swung
just visibly beneath uneasy riding.
lights.
Pardon me-" Alan ventured. but
perhaps you can help me out
You're come to the wrong shop, my
friend" the young man interposed
with morose cIyility: Il couldn't help
anybody out OF a~nything-the way |
am now"
I'm sorry" said Alan, but I
thought possibly you might know
whore ! could find n seaworthy boat
to charter
Tho young man slipped smartly
down from his perch. III you don't
look sharp ho said o~minously, you'll
charter the So]uycuturc." He waved
his hand toward a vessel moorcd
alongside the wharf. There she IS.
and a better boat YOU won't find any.
Where-schoouor.rIg rugged. nifty feet over
all. twenty-five horsepower. motor aux.
Hilary, " stateroUms-all ready for
as long a coastwise cruise as you care
TO take. Come aboard"
lie led briskly across the wharf.
down "A gangplank, then aft along the
deck 10 "A comranionway, by which the
two men gained n comfortable and
roomy cabin, bright with fresh white
enamel.
Name, Barcus," the young man In.
troduced himself chcerfully; chris.
tened Thomas. Nativity. American.
State OF life, fiat brufe. That's the
rub" he laughed, and shrugged, shame.
faced. Il found myself hard up this
spring with this boat on my hands.
sunk every cent ! had and then some
fitting out on an oral charter with
a muneyed bllghter I'm Now York, who
was 10 have met me here q fortnight
since. He didn't-ani here | am. In
pawn TO the ship chandler, desperate
enough for anything"
How much do you owe?"
Upwards Of a hundred"
SAY ! advanced hat when
can We sail?"
The young mar reflected briefly.
There's something so enEagingly i'd.
otto about this proceeding" he OBJ.
served wistfully. I've got tho strang.
est kind OF n bunch it's going to go
through. Pay my bills. and We can DO
on inside an hour. That is"
He checked with an exclamation OF
dismay. chapfallen. Il may have some
trouble soaring up a crew at short
notice, ] had two men engaged, but
last week they got tired doing moth.
Ing for nothing and left me fat"
Then that's settled" Alan said. "I
know boats; III be your crew-and the
better satisfied to have nobody else
aboard"
The eyes of Mr.. Barcus clouded.
See here. my headlong friend, what's
your little game. anyway? don't
mind playing the fool on the high seas,
but III be no party TO a kidnapping
Or"
"It's an elopement," Alan interrupt.
ed on inspiration. We've simply got
10 sst clear OF Portland by midnight"
You're oni" Barcus agreed prompt.
~. his face clearing. God only knows
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07
svNoPsia

The . Of Hearts II the death sign used
~ Seneca Urine In the private war OF
vengeance, through his daughter. Jul
attn. n woman OF violent and criminal
sempef ana questionable sanity, he wages
gain Alan Law. whose father (now
dend) Trine held responsible for the ac-
eident which made him "A helpless cripple.
ttoae, Judith's twin and double. learning
Of her sisters campaign against Alan.
leaves her home TO aid him. whom she
loves. Under dramatic circumstances Alan
saves Judith's life and 30 wins her love.
but failure to shake his consistency 10 Rose
nxes Judith In her purpose.
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-01-07

and elassy. Through the cleaning,
with the aid OF glasses. figures might
he seen moving about her decks; and
II grew still more dark she lowered
n small boat that heretofore had
swung in davits. A little later n faint
hummlng noise dritted across the tide.
"powor tender" the owner OF the
Sravcnturc interpreted. Coming To
call. | presume. Sociable lot. What
| cant make out Is why they seem to
think II necessary TO tow u dory
back. Uneasy conscience, maybe
what7"
He lowered the binoculars ana
glanced lnquiringly ut his employer.
who g%runted his disgust, and said ne
more.
Don't take II 30 hard. old top" Bar
Gus advised with n change OF note
from irony to sympathy. Then he rose
and dived down tho companionway.
presently to reappear with n mega
phone and a double. barreled shotgun
NO cuttinR.o out parties In this out.
IT." he explained. grinning nmiably.
None ~ that old stun, revised TO suit
your infatuated female friend-once
aboard tho lugger and the man 10
mine"
s%tationlng himself at tho seaward
rail, where his figure would show In
sharp silhouette against the glowing
sunset sky. he brandished the shot
gun Mt arms length above his head,
and beloved stertorously through the
megaphone:
Keep on Keep on! This means
you! Como within gunshot and ID
blow your fool heads on"
Putting aside the megaphone. he sat
Gown again. Not that I'd dare fire
this blunderbuss." he %condded. with
this reek OF gasoline; but just for
moral effect. Pheww! I'd give a dol.
lar for n breath OF clean air; I've In.
hailed so much gas In the last few
hours I'm dry cleaned down TO my
silly old toes!"
For thirty minutes nothing hap
pened. other than that the sound OF
the fishorman's launch was stilled. II
rested moyelesB In the waters. two
figures mysteriously busy In the cock
pit, the Seaventure's dory trailing be-
hind II on a long painter.
Gradually these details became
blurred, and were blotted out by the
closing shadows. The aftcrglow In
the west grew cool and faint. The
crimson waters d%arkeued, to mauye,
20 violet, to n translucent green. tc
]blackncss. Far up the coast two
white eyes, pcoring over the horizon
stared stcadfastly through the dal&.
Chatham lights" Barcus said they
were.
Abruptly he dropped the glasses and
jumped up. Hear that" he cried.
Now the humming OF the motor was
again audible and growing louder with
every instant; and Alan, getting to his
feet In turn. infected with the excite
ment Of Borcus, could just make out
at some distance Il dark ehaduw be-
meath the dim. splutterinE glimmor OF
light, that moved swiftly and steadily
toward the Seaventure.
What the DEVIL" he demaHdga.
puzzled.
You uttered n mouthful when you
said 'dcyil'." Barcus commented.
grasring his arm and hurryiug him to
tho laudward side OF the vessel.
"Qu!ck-klck OF your saoes-pct set
for a milc.l1ng swim! Devils work.
all right be- painted, hastily dIycs,