Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-01-20

vainly straining his vision against
the blank pallor OF the encompassing
fog. Alan wondered. worried, dreaded
At irregular intervals. starting
from preoccupation, he would manipu-
late the brass pull on the wheel-box,
provoking the horns suffering blasts
OF protest. But the need for unremit-
ting vigilance and exercise of the fog
signal Jailed none the less to reconcile
Alan to that blatant clamor which so
widely and so hideously advertised
their whereabouts.
II there were anything still to be
feared from Judith and her crew-if.
for instance. as Barcus had suggested.
they had sought out one of the life
saving stations on Nauset beach. ap-
propriated its power-driven lifeboat
and renewed the pursuit. if ever they
heard that horn there would beyond
question be the devil TO pay!
The loneliness Of his vigil was even
tually relieved by the appearance on
deck Of the woman Alan loved.
The tableau that greeted her vision as
she emerged from the companionway,
OF the haggard. unshaven wretch at
the wheel and the other who lay at his
feet, where he had fallen, In a stupor
Of fatigue, instantly wrung from Rose
little cry Of solicitude. And she was
quick to do what little she could to
alleviate their discomfort For Barcus
she fetched pillow and blanket from
the cabin, and this one suffered her
ministrations without once rousing
from his slumbers Then fastening
forward. she got the galley fire going
and prepared a makeshift breakfast
for her hali-famished lover.
Warm food and hot coffee-such as
they were-lending a little tone to
Alan's spirits. he was presently able
to discuss their situation with some
optimism. Yet nothing could gloss
the fact that the problem confronting
them was one whose solution bafHed
their utmost ingenuity-one the simple
contemplation OF which taxed their
courage and intelligence to the ex-
treme.
He summed up: 81 can't see any
thing for It but father and Judith are
determined to have my scalp, and I'm
hanged IL can see how tc protect my
self without taking leaf out OF their
books. What I'm most afraid of is
that some time | may forget it's a
woman I'm defending myself against
When fellows fighting for his very
life he can't always stop TO calculate
the weight Of his blows"
The young man sighed, shook his
head. laughed uncertainty, and held
her closer to him Don't fear; I'll
find some way out without iniuring
either Of them. promise lou that!"
He sealed the pledge upon ner lips.
And In that moment OF their obliv-
ion to the world from some point for
ward muffied crash sounded stimuli
taneously with the dull shock of
collision with a smaller vessel, and a
strange voice cried out with an &C
cent of high exu.tation.
Before either Alan or the girl could
disengage the decks rang loud with a
rush OF booted feet pounding aft.
The figures of the boarding party
were already taking shape through the
fog as Alan sprang toward the com
panionwRy to fetch the rifle. And in
this action his feet slipped on planks
greasy with moisture deposited by the
surcharged atmosphere. He went down
with a stumbling thump. and an in
slant later two men fell bodily upon
him-active, strong fellows in the
dress Of fishermen. He was suffered
to rise only as prisoner, helpless in
the grasp OF two pairs of powerful
hands.
He saw Barcus. rudely reused and
still dumb with sleepy confusion, in
no better case-jerked to his feet and
held captive by two more fishermen.
A fifth had taken charge OF Rose,
clamping her wrists In the wise of
one big hand.
The sixth and sole other member OF
the boarding party. likewise IN the
rough-and.ready garb OF a fisherman,
was Judith Urine
Down the side a heavy life-boat
ground its way astern, the loose end
of its painter slipping over the rail
even as Alan caught sight of IL. $50
1t seemed Barcus had guessed shrewd-
ly)
Observing this, one OF the men In
charge of Alan made as II to leave
him TO the ether. addressing Judith
for permission to prevent the loss OF
the lifeboat She stopped him with
a peremptory gesture.
''No--let 1t go. We're better OF
without it, Hold that man fast TIL
/ fetch rope. Wen make sure OF
them both this time!"
Straining forward in the grasp of
her guard. Rose implored her sister
Judith, in PHYS name. think what
you are doing!"
Hold your tonguei" Judith snapped
viciously. Another whimper out of
you. and I'll have you gagged"
The balance Of her threat though
by the exhibition OF an
pistol. was drowned out by
the sudden roar Of a steamship fog
signal, so close aboard that it seemed
almost to emanate from the forener.t