Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-26

refused to adjust itself. He did not
see which.
Must l decide this m,nu,cg" he
asked
"No--sivc you twen,y.four hour. ;,
think ii over. You'il he ii little thirsty
and hnls hungry. bus not eating ,or
drinking win leave you entirely fre.
IRON thinking" said Dane. "rli show
up tomorrow for my answer Better
think II over carefully, boy You'u h,
Il long time dead
And Clinton Harding was left in the
darkness OF the cave to measure hi,
own manhood.
The next morning Dane returned
to tht Gaze. and with him came his two
companons--thc Seafaring men They
stuck torches in the wall to light the
cave aud when they had made thei,
preparations they asked Harding Tor
his answer.
Without htavado. almost without
emotion. he gave It: Dane, the mo-
mcnt get out Of here I go straigh, to
John Martin with my information."
Dane studied him for Il moment.
and then accepted the answer Well.
boys. as soon as it's dark we'll just
drop him into the water with a rock
to his feet. Men don't come back from
the bottom of the sea to bctray those
who would have been their friends
il theY'd been Eivcn half IA chance"
And Jimmy Barton. peerin;S in eau
had cntc red by means OF the we'll rope
heard aud smiled Erimly to himself
Then Inc cIcpt into the shadow of the
cave and waited for the smugglcrs To
go out and leave Harding to the con.
temptation OF his fate. Presently they
went out tho farther entrance to Sc,
about dragging in moro of their SNUG
Slcd goods from tho watersidc
NJ once Jimmy crcpt round to Hard
Ing ana cut the ropes which bound his
heard returning. and Jimmy had only
time for II hurried whisper: Hang on
10 this knife and when they come for
me take to the water"
Next he hurried over to the entrance
OF the cave and shouted tauntinEly,
Didn't say that watch told secrets?'
ITS that peddler?" shouted Dane.
And on the word he and his men fol-
lowed the haunting figure which hur-
ricd across the passagcway to the bot
| tom OF the we'll and began swarminS
up the wall. tst.t.F.
y moment later the men left the
| cave by two exits. Harding had freed
himself. and. hurrying through the
! bushes he divcd out into the water.
| In the same instant Jimmy got to the
| top OF the we'll, picked up the shotgun
he had left lying in the grass and le-
yelled 1t over the curbng.
On this tablcau John Martin, hia
ana l entcFeO. Jimmy ly
| nG across the Erecnsward aiming his
| gun at three men OF the sea tarng type
while Eood-looking young man in
| corduroys adrip with salt water rushed
over the grass from the top Of tho
cliffs
Don't move. These things scatter
/ awfully." commanded Jimmy, with n
wry glance at his shotgun.
And the dripping young man manag-
| cd to laugh In spite OF his condition.
for he called checrfully: Better take
| this That thing isn't loaded"
But Martin and his officers bore load
| ed guns, and those intimidated the
| smugglers beyond all thought of a
| tight. The law took possession OF them
promptly.
From the cottage came disconso.
| late little figure. .'Oh, you aren't ar
resting Uncle cried Dorothy Dane.
But life has it's compensation. as
kiss and ride away" For she found
| Il refuge in arms which were held out
to enfold her and fend off thoughts OF
| the doubtful uncertainties she had
| known during two long days Of wait
| ing and from the shame she must feel
| when her uncle came to trial. i'.
| No girl Of a fishing village Is ever
afraid of salt water. And though he
was fairly adrip with the waters of
the Atlantic, Dorothy crept happily nto
| Clinton Harding's arms, for that wan
| the beginning OF her story, and SO II
shall be the end of mine.
(THE END.) s's.r'=g