The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-05

Instead of following, O'NeiT turned and went below. His appearance, the sound of his voice, were the signals for a chorus of eager whinnies and great stamping of hoofs. Heads were thrust toward him from the stalls, alert ears were pricked forward, satin muzzles rubbed against him as he calmed their terror. This blind trust made the mans throat tighten aching ly He loved animals as he loved children, and above all he cared for horses.
 Me cursed aloud and made his way down the slopings deck to the square iron door or port through which he had loaded them. But he found that 1t was damned, or held fast by the pres sure outside, and after a few moments work in water above his knees he climbed to the starboard side. Here the entrance was obstructed by a huge pile of baled hay and grain in sacks. It would be no easy task to clear it away, and he fell to work with des- perate energy, for the ship was slowly changing her level. He was perspir- ing furiousIy; the commotion around lights went out, leaving him in utter blackneas; the last fading yellow gleam was photographed briefly upon his retina.
 After scrambIing to the cabin deck O'Neil felt for the little bracket lamp on the wall of his stateroom and lit it. He dragged a life preserver from the rack overhead and slipped the tapes about his shoulders, refecting that Alaskan waters are disagreeably cold. Then he opened his travelling bags and, dumped their contents upon the white counterpane of his berth, selecting out of the confusion certain documents and trinkets. The latter he thrust into his pockets as he found them, the former he wrapped in handkerchiefs before slowing them away.
 All at, once he whirled and faced the door with an exclamation of astonish3' ment, for voice had addressed him.
 There, clfnging to the casing, stood 8 woman-a girI-evfdent1y drawn out of the darkness by the. light which streamed down across the s1oping deck from his stateroom. Plainly she had but just awakened, for she was clothed in a silken nightrobe which failed to conceal the outlin es of her body She had flung a quilted dressing gown of some sort over her shoulders and with one bare arm and hand strove to hold it in place. He saw that her pink feet were thrust into soft, heel1ess slippers, that her hair, black in this light, 'caS- caded down to her waist, and that her eyes, which were very dark and very large, were fixed upon him with stare like that of a sleepwalker.
 ''It is so dark-so strange-so stfllv' she murmured. What has happened? ?''
 God! Didn't they awaken you?'' he cried in sharp surprise.
 'Is the ship sinking?" Her odd be- wi1derment of voice and gaze puzzled him.
 He nodded eve struck a rock. The passengers have been taken of. We're the only ones left. In heavens name, where have you been?"
 q was asleep"
 E He shook his head in astonishment. How you failed to hear that hub bub''-
 "I heard something, but was i'll. My head-I took something to ease the pain
 ssAhi Medicine! It hasn't worn off yet, I see. You shouldn't have taken it. Drugs are nothing but poison to young people. Now, at my age there might be some excuse for resortfng to them, but yeu''- He was talking to cover the panic of his thoughts, for his own predicament had been serious enough, and her presence rendered it doubly embarrassing. What in the world to do with ier he scarcely knew His lips were smiling, but his eyes were grave as they roved over the cab in and out into the blackness of the night.
 Are we going to drown?'' she asked duly.
 1 .Nonsense!'' He laughed in appar- ent amusement, showing his large, strong teeth.
 .I'm wretchedly afraid" she whis4 Epered through white lips.
 None of that!'' he said brusqueIy. "I'll see that nothing happens to you.'' He slipped out of his life preserver and adjusted it over her shoulders, 1 first drawing her arms through the sleeves of her dressing gown and knot ting the cord snugly around her waist. Just as a matter of precautfon," he assured her. We may get wet Can you swim ?''
 1 She shook her head.
 Never mind; I can" He found an other life belt, fitted it to his own form and led her out upon the deck. The scuppers were awash now, and she gasped as the sea licked her bare feet Slipping his arm about her, he bore her to the door of the main cabin and entered. She had elasped his neck SC tightly that he could scarcely breathe
 but, lowering her until her feet were on the dry carpet, he gently loosed hel arms.
 Now, my dear child,'' De told her 1 you must do exactly as I tell you l Comet Calm yourself or won't take
 you any farther" He held her or r. i her shoulders. 'I may, have to swi1
 with you; you mustn't cling to me so!
 O'Neil judged that the ship was