The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-12-28
CHAPTER xxiI.-continued.

those words repressed so long. Almost
had forgotten where we were. the ma
ture Of our surroundings, the fate
which threatened us. could remem.
ber only her, the velvety touch of her
flesh, the welcoming light of love In
her eyes. ] know not what we talked
about, conscious only of the. Joy OF
being alone together. with every bar.
rser between us swept away forever
The sunshine poured in through the
open. port, touching her hair with
threads of golden light, and leaving
q bar Of brilliance across the state
room deck.
Yet l imagine the respite was not
long. There came sharp rap upon
the wood of the door, bringing us in
stantly back to realization of our po-
sitiOn. Her arms released me, and /
arose to my feet.
"What is wanted?"
Its few minutes till noon, sir"
said voice failed to recognize. "And
Tin to tell you to come on deck"
-Quite right. my man, I'll be there
ut once. Stand by to carry the instru-
ments."
aye, aye, STR"
There was a certain cheerfulness
and respect in the voice, which con-
WINGED me that the fellow was not
among the ringleaders, but the hope
Of making him an adherent to our
cause vanished when 1 opened the
door, and recognized Dade. The man
was too weak, too much of jellyfish.
to render his friendship OF any particu-
lar value. Besides Dugan was also In
the cabin, leaning idly against the
stair-rail, but quite as evidently on
guard. / nodded to him, but he only
eondescended to stare In return, and
the look in his eyes convinced me that
ne had not yet forgiven the rough
treatment accorded him few hours
before. The memory made me smile.
'T've seen you when you looked hap
pier Dugan." / said carelessly, "but
imagine you have nothing on Jim
White"
ITO HI with yer" he growled saw
agely. eff had my way ye'd have no
tongue left to get smart with. Get
along now after yer things"
Dade followed me into the captains
stateroom. He was obedient enough,
but reluctant to talk, no doubt afraid
Of being overheard by Dugan.
The conspirators were grouped on
the after deck waiting my arrival, and
I followed Dade up the ladder, deter
mined they should perceive no change
In my demeanor, which might awaken
suspicion. McCann's manner was far
from cordial as / approached, but
thought 1t best to ignore his churlish-
ness.
You were long enough coming; per-
haps you still think yourself in COM
mandY he said savagely.
THAT would indeed be stretch of
the Imagination" replied, holding my
temper, and motioning Dade where to
place the sextant. However, do not
think have wasted my time-it is still
two minutes of twelve"
He growled something, but busted
myself with the observation, only anx-
iors to make 1t accurate enough for
my own use. Whatever figures / re-
ported, 1t was absolutely necessary
that know myself the exact position |
ef the ship. Nor did dare to juggle |
them greatly in my report, for while |
Mccain was far from being an expert |
navigator, he yet possessed smatter-
fng Ds knowledge, which rendered him |
dangerous, and he was very sure to |
check up my figures with every care |
possible. However, ] fooled him by a
point or two, sufficient for my purpose,
r nd wrote down the result on the back |
Of an old envelope, while slowing away |
the correct figures in my own brain.
Although the air was balmy enough,
the wind from the southwest almost |
directly in our teeth, yet there was a
ock of the north about both sea and
,ky. which would have convinced me
that we were approa ching higher lati-
'udes without the aid of my observa-
ZION. Without being able to explain
the phenomenon the seaman instinc-
IANcty TtCOSnlLtS noIlucih waves.
Now. as my eyes swept the wide circle
of the horizon, vainly seeking the
1ieam of some distant sail, the heav-
Tag expanse of water, the overarching
rky were almost alike In cOlor-a
roid. rcpellent blue, misting into gray
Afaf off, as though particles of fog
Tiled the atmosphere. Indeed it was
sis which interested me the most, this
Tnsue evidence of floating vapor, for
bnew enough of these seas to sus-
,eet that this might prove the fore
INNER of storm, already preparing to
weep down upon us out of the more
,crthern mystery. Others must have
s.fed the evidence also, for Liverpool
-ossed the deck to where stood, leav-
" Mccain with the chart In his
knds.
sWhat do yer think o. that sorter
Ist out yonder?" he asked, Indicating
e distance by a sweep of the hands,
N striving to make his gruf voice I
und friendly.
aIt may mean nothing" ! answered (