The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-06-04

the sea--and yachting is such awfully
good fun. II you only get decent
weather." -a.s3
The mention OF yachting brought
back to my mind the visit Of the Lola
and its mysterious sequel.
y Your father has a yacht. them" I
remarked. with as little concern as |
could.
YES. The Iris. My uncle is cruising
on her up the Norwegian Fiords. For
us 1t Is change to be here, because
We are so often afioat."
$50 you must have made many long
voyages, and seen many odd corners OF
the world, Miss Leithcourt?" re-
marked, my interest in her increasing.
for she seemed so extremely intelli-
gent and well informed.
"Oh. yes. We've been to Mexico,
and to Panama, besides Morocco.
Egypt and the west coast of Africa"
"And you've actually landed at Leg
horn!" l remarked.
Yes, but we didn't stay there more
than an hour-to send a telegram.
| think II was Father said there was
nothing to see there. He and / went
ashore, and l must say was rather
disappointed.
you are quite right. The town IT.
self is ugly and uninteresting. But the
outskirts-San Jacopo. Ardenza and
Antigniano are all delightful. 1t was
unfortunate that you did not see them.
Was it long ago when you put in
there?"
mot very long. really don't recol-
| lect the exact date" was her reply.
1--WE were on our way home from Alex
andria."
Have you ever, In any of the ports
you've been, seen yacht called the
Lola? ?" I asked eagerly. for it occurred
to me that perhaps she might be able
to give me information.
"The Lola!" she gasped. and instant
| ly her face changed. A flush over
spread her cheeks, succeeded next mo-
ment by deathlike pallor. 1.-THE
Lola!" she repeated in a strange,
hoarse voice, at the same time en-
deavoring strenuously not to exhibit
| any apprehension. "No. have never
heard Of any such vessel Is she
steam yacht? Who's her owner?"
| regarded her in amazement and
suspicion, for | saw that mention of
the name had aroused within her some
serious misgiving. That look in her
dark eyes as they fixed themselves
upon me was one of distinct and un-
speakable terror.
What could she possibly know con-
corning the mysterious craft?
Il don't know the owners name"
said, still affecting not to have noticed
her alarm and apprehension. THE
vessel ran aground at the Meloria, a
dangerous shoal outside Leghorn, and
through the stupidity of her captain
was very nearly lost"
"Yes?" she gasped, in a half-whisper,
bending to me eagerly, unable to suf-
ficiently conceal the terrible anxiety
consuming her. And you-did you go
aboard herr"
YES" was the only word | uttered
A silence fell between us, and as my
eyes fixed themselves upon her, / saw
that from her handsome mobile coun-
tenance all the light and life had sud-
denly gone out, and ! knew that she
was in secret possession of the key
to that remarkable enigma that so puz-
zled me.
OF sudden the door opened, and a
voice cried gayly:
why, I've been looking everywhere
for you, Muriel. Why are you hidden
here? Aren't you coming?"
We both turned, and as she did so a
low cry of blank dismay involuntarily
escaped her.
Next instant | sprang to my feet.
The reason of her cry was apparent,
for there, in the full light of the golden
sunset streaming through the long
open windows, stood broad-shoul-
dered, fair-bearded man In tennis fan
nels and Panama hat-the fugitive
knew as Philip Horribly!
I faced him, speeches..