The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1915-03-13

power horn bf Il tatboat crying the
warning back 10 the deepthroated
whistle OF q coastwise steamship and
the impertinent drumming OF motor
bont's exhaust with the mufnor cut
out.
This last boxed the compass, sound
ing now near. now far. though the cont
plants OF other shipping diminished
In volume and died away In the dis
tanco. giving place to others still, the
plutter.pluttor OF that motor was never
altogether lost; n at times II faded
Il seemed certain always 10 return In
even louder volume.
Vniniy straining his vision against
tho blank pailor OF the encompassing
fog, Alan wondered. worried, dreadedil
At irregular intervals, starting
from preoocupation, he would manipu-
late tho brass pull on tho wheel'box,
provoking the horns suffering blasts
OF protest Hut the need for unremit-
ting vigilance and exercise Of the fog
signal failed none be less 20 reconcile
Alan TO that blatant clapor which 30
widely and 30 hideously advertised
their whereabouts.
IL there were anything still TO be
feared from Judith and her erew--if.
| for instance, aa Barcus had suggested,
they had sought out one OF tho life
saving stations on Nauset beach. ap-
proprlated It's powcr.drivon lifeboat
and renewed the pursuit. II ever thoy
heard that horn there would beyond
question be tho devil TO payl
The loneliness Of hls vigil was even
tually relieved by the appearance on
deck OF tho woman Alan loved.
The tableau that greeted her vision as
she emerged from the companionway,
OF the haggard. unshayen wretch At
tho wheel and the other who lay at hie
feet. where no had fallen. In a btupor
OF fatigue, instantly wrung from Rose
u little cry OF solicitudo And ahe was
quick 10 do what little she could TO
alleviate their discomfort. For Barcus
she fetched pillow and blanket from
tho cabin. and this one suffered her
ministrations without once rousins
from HIS slumbers. Then Fastening
forward. she got the galley nrc going
and prepared makoahift breakfast
for her halffamished lover.
Warm food and hot coffee-such as
they were--iending a little tone 10
Alan's spirita. he was presently able
TO discuss their situation with some
optimiam. Yet nothing could gloss
tho fact that the problem confronting
thom was one whose solution baffied
their utmost ingenuity-one the simple
contemplation OF which taxed their
courage and intelligence 70 the ex.
tromc.
lie summed up: Il can't see any.
thing for II but father aud Judith arc
determined TO have my scalp. and I'm
hanged N can sec how 10 protect my
self without taking n leaf out OF their
books. What I'm most afraid OF 10
that somo time ! may forget It's a
woman I'm defending myself against.
When n 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 cloaer 10 him. Don't fear: III |
ind aomo way out without injuring
either OF them. ! promise you thati"
Hc sealed tho pledge upon her lips.
And In that moment OF their obliv. |
ion To the world from some point for
ward muffied crash sounded stimuli
taneouBly with the dull shock OF a
collision with n smaller vessel. and q
arrange voice cried out with m ac-
cent OF high exultation.
Before either Alan or tho girl could
disengago the decks rang loud with u
rush OF booted feet pounding aft.
The figures OF the boarding party
were already taking shape through tho
fog as Alan sprang toward tho com,
panionway 90 fetch the rife. And In
this action HIS feet slipped on pianks
groasy with moisture deposited by tho
surchargod atmosphere He went down
with u stumbling thump. and an In.
stant later two men fell bodily upon
him-active. strong fellows In tha
dress or fishermen. He was suffered
to rise only as a prisoner. helpless in
tho grasp OF two pairs OF powerful
hands.
He saw Barcus. rudeiy reused and
still dumb with sleepy confusion, IN
no better case-Jerked 10 his feet and
held captive by two more fishermen.
A NTH had taken charge of Rose,
clamping her wrists In the vise OF
one big hand.
The sixth and sole other member OF
The boarding party. likewise in tho
'ough-and'ready sarb OF fisherman,
was Judith Trino.
Down tho side heavy life boat
ground its way astern. the loose end
u Its painter slipping over the rail
wen aa Alan caught sight OF Il. $50
seemed Barcus had guessed shrewd.
yD
Observing this. one OF the men In
'harge OF Alan made as II 10 leave
lin TO the other. addressing Judith
or permission TO prevent the loss OF
no lifeboat. She stopped him with
peremptory gesture. .
"No-let II go. We're better on I
Without II. Hold that man fast till Q
fetch rope, Wen make sure OF U
hem both this time!"
Strhining forward In the grasp of q
er guard. Rose implored her sistert
judith. In PHYS name. think what u
ou are d0ingi" q
Hold your tonguel" Judith snapped y
iciously. Another whimper out OF q
on, and I'll have you gagged" u
The balance OF her threat. though
ccompanied by the exhibition OF an "
utomatic pistol. was drowned out by @
no sudden roar OF q steamship fog. 4
gnal. 30 close aboard that It seemed n
lmost to emana.c from the forepart az
the schooner herself. u
Az II was answered by shrill and