Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-01-27

and Alan was annoyed to think that
the rest of his beloved should need
lessly have been disturbed
What did you do that for?' he de-
manded sharply.
Because / jolly well wanted to"
Barcus returned in tone as h=ssQue.
"Oh, you iid-eh2"
Yes, / do -ehl / happen to be
bossing this end g the boat and to
have sense enough TO realize there's
no sense at all in our wasting fuel the
way we are-cruising nowherel"
WELL" Law commended, struck by
the fairness of this argument, but un-
able to calm his uneasiness-"tust 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 the
contrary. And in such case. for one
respectfully prefer to have gas enough
to take US home again If ever this
da-blessed fog lifts!"
And for several seconds longer the
stiffness strangled their spirits in its
ruthless grasp.
Then of a sudden a cry shrilled
through the fog, so near at hand that
it seemed scarcely more distant than
over the side:
Alloy! Helpi Alloy there! Help!"
So insistent, so urgent was its &C
cent that, coupled with the surprise,
it brought the three as one to their
feet. all a-tremble, their eyes seeking
one auothers faces, then shifting un-
easily away.
What can it be?' Rose whispered,
aghast, shrinking into Alans ready
arm.
"A woman" Barcus put in harshly.
Judith" the girl moaned.
Alan shook himself together. 'Tm-
possiblel" he commended. 81 saw her
go down :"
THAT doesn't prove she didn't come
up" Barcus commented acidly.
Alloy! Motorboat aho-o-oyl Help"
"And that" Barcus pursued sadly.
'just proves she did come up-blame
the luckl Alive she is, and kicking;
stand clear. An able-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:
"Ahoyi Where are your Where
away?"
Thereon the acknowledgements
perishing with chill"
How does my voice bear?" Alan
called back.
What the dickens do you care"
Barcus interpolated suspiciuosly.
ITO port" the response rang through
the fog. "starooard your helm and
come in slowlyl"
"Right-o! Half minute!" Alan re-
piled reassuringly.
Like HE'LL" Mr.. Barcus muttered in
his throat as he jumped down into the
engine pit and bent over the fiy-wheel
Leaping on the forward thwart and
balancing himself perilously 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
reefl"
Nothing doing" Barcus retorted
CURLY. THE motto is now Full speed
asternl' as you must know"
20 comet We can't leave a woman
out therein a fix like that"
Cant we? You watchi" Barcus
grunted malevolently, rocking the
heavy fiywheel with all his might; for
the motor had turned suddenly stub
born.
"Alan!" Rose pleaded, laying hand
upon his sleeve. Think what Il
means! / know it sounds heartless OF
me-and it's my own sister. But you
know how mad she is--wild with ha-
tired and jealousy. If you take her into
this boat, it's your life or hersl"
IF we leave her out there" Alan
retorted, shaking his arm impatiently
free, fits her life on our headsl"
At this juncture the motor took
charge of the argument. ending 1t In
summary fashion. With a smart ex-
plosion in the cylinder, II started up
Unexpectedly, at one and the same
time almost dislocating the arm Of
Mr.. Barcus and precipitating Alan
overheard.
1t was not given him to know what
was happening until he found himself
in the water; he struggled to the sur
face just in time to see the bows of
the lffeboat back away and vanish into
the mist.
CHAPTER XVI.