The Pulaskian., 1917-11-23

"St. Johns Is naval base; the closer we approach the harbor the more apt we are to encounter q Brit ish cruiser"
 Her fingers grasped my sleeve.
 "But. Mir. Hollis, if all these hopes fail, and there should be no rescue, Is there not something we can do? Must we remain here helpless just waiting for death to eomep
 l took the little hands In mine ten derly, and, with an effort, controlled my voice.
 Perhaps so, but we cannot be too cautious. Our only chance is to retain our freedom, and arouse no suspicion that we are plotting together. Can you learn where the others are confined, and get the word to mel"
 "Yes," she said. 'T--I think I can"
 "What is it you think you can do, Miss Carrlngton?" said voice quietly.
 McCann stood in the open passage way leading to the stewards pantry, less than fifteen feet distant, satiri- cal smile on his lips, as he observed our familiar position. How long he had been there, and what portion of our conversation he had overheard, I had no means of knowing, and for the instant I stood speeches., my brain a blank. Not so with Vera. With a laugh, ringing out as naturally as though In full appreciation of some sudden gleam of humor, she withdrew her hands from mine, turned and faced him, executing q mocking curtsey.
 'Hardly fair Mir. McCann," she said, ito steal upon us like that"
 Perhaps not" he answered grim1y, ''but just now I am privileged to do as please on board this ship. Answer my question-what is 1t you think you can do?"
 Perhaps an answer will be embar- rassing."
 'Stop the play-acting," he burst forth, advancing about the stair rail. What were you talking about? want direct answer?"
 The girls long lashes shaded her eyes, but there was not the slightest falter to her voice.
 
 most regretfully, "had asked me if-if thought could learn toto like him, and said IT thought could. That that was all"
 McCann stared at the innocent, downcast face as though he half be- lieved the words her lips uttered were deliberate lies; then he laughed mirth. lessly.
 q see," he said with sarcasm. "No misfortune along other lines is suffi- eient to interrupt Mir. Hollis love-mak- ing. My congratulations, captain, on even this measure of success
 The hot blood flushed my face, not so much at the words as the tone with which they were uttered. They con veyed to me a deliberate insult, tin gling with a memory of the purpose he charged me with during our last 1 interview. He had not quite under stood me before, but now he felt con yinced that under all the veneer was his kind; and he instantly felt that he knew just how to deal with my case.
 "Your congratulations are appreci- ated for what they are worth" I an- swered, unable to wholly restrain my self. "But we will let the discussion end here."
 "Oh, will we2 We'll, perhaps you will recall that circumstances have changed since our last talk. You are no longer captain of this ship--I am {; and l will say what please on board. The first thing I propose doing is to tell Miss Darlington who and what you are."
 Her eyes flashed over my face, then sought his.
 Do understand" she asked clearly, that I have been before topic of conversation between you? What was the occasion?"
 McCann laughed, not in the least embarrassed, and evidently convinced that his position was sufficiently strong to give him clear advantage. "Hollis' natural modesty prevents his answering, but as a disinterested party, will take upon myself to ex- plain. The truth Is I comprehended