The Pulaskian., 1917-10-19


 l will not consent to have you impli cated in the affair any further than you are now. I will not sacrifice you to help our friend wonder save his for tune. I'll give him my answer now"
 took step aft, but paused sudden ly, for the door of the owners cabin opened, and he came limping forth, resting heavily on a cane, his white face clearly revealed in the glare of the skylight. I stepped back beside the girl, who, aroused by my sudden move ment, glanced up and saw him. Almost instantly she was upon her feet, hesi- tated an instant as though perplexed at the mans appearance then ad vanced and met him.
 "Mr. Bascom," she exclaimed, "can this indeed be you?" 'You speak my name, certainly" he replied, but gazing into her face seem ingly without recognition. "Yet I do not recall"
 "0h, yes, you do; surely you must" she interrupted. "Why, you have changed more than I. Do you not re- member the moonlight nights at Palm Beach? The fishing parties along the coast?"
 "Vera !" he cried, q note of delight in his voice. .Of course I remember but you have become woman, the very last person in the world I expect ed to see. And so you are the lady we were fortunate enough 10 rescue. MT. Hollis never even mentioned your name"
 "There was no reason why snould," I said, having no thought of your pre- yious acquaintance. The young lady and have just been discussing the sit uation-"
 "Wait just moment, Mir. Hollis" she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas- eom's face "This discovery changes everything. Mir. Bascom is an old friend"
 'So judge; but I do not intend to let that influence your decision.'
 "But it will, and does" a certain impetuous appeal in her voice. "I did not understand before, as I do now. You are the owner, MT. Bascom? This is your boat and cargo?
 "Yes, Vera; things have not gone well with me of late, and my entire for tune is here," he answered rather bit terly.
 "I am sorry; had not heard You have been terribly i'll, from your looks, and are lame. lit was that affair | in New York, from which you never recoveredT"
 q was in the hospital for months, and scarcely hoped to live. That was when my business went to smash"
 "Father never told me; and your mother?"
 "Is living in Philadelphia, but in | rather straitened circumstances, and i'll; my younger brother has been com pelled to leave school and seek employ ment." He smiled weakly. q had hoped this voyage would set us all on our feet again"
 She released her hand from his grasp, and sank down once more into the chair, her glance leaving his face, and seeking mine.
 "Mr. Hollis" she said, almost defi- antly. Ut is my wish that the Indian Chief continue its voyage" 'But I cannot consent" "You left this decision to nae. We'll, make that decision. My comfort, even the momentary fear which my family may feel over my strange disap- pearance, could never justify my re- fusal. I know this gentleman, and have met his mother; we were good friends. He shall not be ruined through any whim of girl. I urge you to go ahead, not considering me in the least"
 q cannot quite understand so sud- den change"
 Perhaps you do not understand women" she said, and smiled. "Surely you recall who MT. Bascom is?"
 "Not in the remotest degree" "But we spoke of him in the boat Philip Bascom."
 My eyes widened, and caught my breath.
 Good heavens! yes; now recall the affair. He is the man Fergus Mo Cam shot in the hotel restaurant. That was the accident he speaks of. Why, this is strange enough to be fiction" Bascom stood, leaning on his cane, looking at us, as though failing to com prehend what it was we were talking about. Possibly he did not catch our words clearly, for his white face ap- peared puzzled. "You speak of mel" he asked "of my difficulty with McCann?" She looked up at him earnestly.
 "Yes; 1t is very strange. You should know the truth. There were three of us who escaped together when the yacht sank; Mir. Hollis, myself and Fergus McCann"
 Bascom strengthened, his lips pressed tight.
 "He is here now; guest on beard my ship?"
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