The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-10-06
subtitle and mysterious than wireless

subtle anu mysterious '""'
itelegraphy.
At this moment the great mans
secretary entered hastily, packet OF
letters in his hand.
| THE American mail, Sir James"
said he. "And you will be delighted.
I'm sure. to see the handwriting OF
Mr.. Hayden Norcross again"
"Ah. thank you" was the eager.
beaming reply, the woman forgotten.
I"No doubt my son has written to tell
sage for home. \ White Star boat.
or Cunarder, l suppose.
The storm had almost blown itself
out. and the swollen seas that reared
against a .eaden horizon were sui
Ilenly subsiding. The Chiffon Grange
rolled as though weary of the battle
for survival. Captain Nelson Sack
EFT marked how slow and heavy was
her motion, her natural buoyancy
well nigh gone. His first mate stood
beside him, man whom life had
whipped into uncomplaining forti-
tude. 1t was part of the scheme of
existence. as he knew it. that mari
ners should be forced to go in un-
seaworthy vessels to earn their
bread.
will she last through another
night. sir?' he asked without emo
ton.
Il doubt it, Mr.. Rhoades. When
she settles little lower we will try
to get the boats away. I'm hoping
something may happen along to pick
us off before the poor old hooker
founders"
she never had a fair chance this
voyage, sir. Crippled to begin with,
and luck went against her"
Right you are" said Captain
/ iSackett. and feel sorry for her"
"Queer-awful queer, isn't it. sir.
that the owners son should have
showed himself aboard the way he
did-and tAon the voyage turn out
this way?"
| Strange it is, Mr.. Rhoades. and
perhaps not so strange. You and /
believe in the judgments of God.
They can overtake man as power
full as Sir James Babb Norcross.'
! Hayden Norcross had climbed to
the bridge and approached them un-
observed. He heard the voice of
Captain Sackett. solemn and devout
deliver this condemnation as one
who knew whereof he spoke. White
and shaking. but not with fear the
young man stepped between the two
officers and cried:
why have you been hiding things
from me ever since we left New
York? What is the trouble with
this ship? Is she haunted? What's
this nonsense about my father and
the Judgments of God?"
The mate sighed and went for
ward, methodical. unhurried. as al
ways. Captain Sackett laid his hand
upon Hayden's shoulder as he
lsaid
The Chiffon Grange is dropping
to keep the truth from you because
| could not rally hold you responsi-
BILE. But now you ought TO know
If you come out this alive. l want you
to remember for the sake of other
! sailors -
Remember WHAT" exclaimed
Hayden Norcross. discerning that in
this extremity there was no room for
anything except the truth naked and
brutal.
THAT your father sent this steam
er to sea when he had the facts to
prove she wasn't At to go. He did
! 1T to save no more money than you
fling away in a month And jolly
/ little he cared if we poor devils never
saw Liverpool"
! It's a lie! 1t must be a lie!"
shouted young Norcross. but his
voice faltered You are trying to
cover up your own neglect. You have
! listened to the silly rawlings OF the
crew. My God. to say such thing
as that about my father"
/ From his salt-stained blue coat
the shipmaster pulled out copy of
the report he had mailed to Sir
James Babb Norcross and the cabled
reply. Without anger he gave them
to the son. The evidence required
no comment. II was final cOmpletp