Gilpin observer., 1917-04-12

He drew Pearl to him. She was
too greatly stunned to resist. "There's
something I w-want to say to you"
he went on, thickly. Its now or
n-never, girl! I've got terrible secret
and 1 g-guess it's going to die with
me. But want you to know as w-we
stand here ON the edge of eternity that
Through everything I've been square
to you. Because" he gazed tenderly
into the eyes so near and fixed intent
ly on his, because 1 love you as a
m-man never loved woman before.
In spite of all, g-girl, I'm going to
kiss you again, by heaven I'm going
to!" And he kissed her. Nov y-you
know. You amt mad. are your
Pearl lay in his arm like stunned
little thing, her eyes partly closed.
mo, Adams, I'm not angry" she mur-
INJURED at the end of several seconds.
I'm very much afraid-I'm glad, for
whoever you are or whatever you are,
and regardless of the past, love you."
Then as he folded her close a great
light broke across the prov of the
ship and flashed full upon them. They
thought for one instant that the end
had come when a clear cry arose on
the starboard. They ran to the rail
and discerned shape lying low In the
water not thirty feet away.
1t was the American submarine.
They saw several persons on the cap
tain's bridge, one holding a megaphone
to his lips.
"Ship ahoy!" beloved familiar
voice.
Its Colonel Dare" exclaimed the
astonished Adams. Then he thought
of the dangerous proximity of the SUBJ
marine to the mined vessel.
"This ship is m-mined" he roared
making trumpet of his hands. "Hold
off! Pick us up!"
He turned quickly to the girl cling
ing to him. "Up!" he cried, lifting her
to the top of the rail and springing
after. They stood second in the full
glare of the searchlight. ."Divew
Without word Pearl flung herself
headlong into the sea, holding Adams
by the hand.
When they emerged they grasped a
life buoy which had been thrown to
them.
Pull !" signaled Adams to the
American seamen; and thus they were
drawn to safety and friends on the
deck of the submarine, to whom they
told their story.
Ten minutes after the submarines
escape from the danger zone a fire
broke out in every section of the ship
Of the Silence Menace. A little later
the waters about the submarine trem-
bled from terrific explosion. Through
the smoke and mist the ships wreck
age began to float toward the awed
spectators.
"Colon" cried Colonel Dare to the
submarines captain. "Your wireless,
man, your wireless! !"
Then he turned with a curious grin
to Major Brent and pointed significant
ly to the dripping figure of Adams. II
guess you're wrong about Adams be-
ing the Silent Menace. major" he stat
ed not without touch of sarcasm.
"Well see about that, colonel" the
major replied in a dry voice, but with
out malice.
"Yes, We'll see soon enough" grunt-
ed the colonel, and he went under deck
following his daughter and the cap
tain.
Adams and Brent were for the mo-
ment alone. II overheard your re-re-
marks, major" said the former ap-
preaching as near as he dared without
wetting his superior officer. II got
n-notion that you better shut up on
that Silent Menace b-business."
Brent gave him one look Of scorn
and struck him full in the face with
his glove. Then he went under deck.
Adams stood stock still, filed with
fury. Suddenly he broke into laugh
ter.
by golly! By gum I" he CALCULATED,
rubbing his stinging features. "What
do you think of t-that for a d-n fool?"
PEARLS head now appeared at the
opening of the hatch. "An American
merchant ship passed into the canal
from the Pacific three hours ago!"
she cried eXcitedly. Its been scut-
tied and sunk in Alamarante bay"
"Then the mines are laid!" an
nounced Adams, solemnly.
Pearl stepped on deck and advanced
toward him. adams !" she cried, in a
voice full of emotion, grasping his out
stretched hand, her eyes glistening
with tears. II have told you that
love you. Now I will say more. Lo-
cate and destroy those mines and
will marry you"
A harsh laugh broke upon their
ears. Major Brent had come up be-
hind them unobserved. II can furnish
absolute proof that he will not do that,
even to marry you, Pearl! He will
pretend to do 1t, but he will fool you
I'm going to locate those mines. I think
we know where they are laid"
Pearl stamped her foot. For the first
time in her life she felt hatred for a
human being. She walked away with