The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-12-14

less than fifteen feet distant, a satiri.
cal smile on his lips, as he observed
our familiar position. How long he
had been there. and what portion of
could trust the man In any way was
practically impossible, for he had re-
vealed to her his true character in so
many ways the memory could not be
blotted out.
AS the full knowledge OF this truth
grew apparent, 1 was able to view all
that had occurred later in q different
light. She had simply accepted her
one chance; had grasped with womanly
Intuition the single weapon left at
her command. Girl as she was in
years, her experience in the world had
been that of woman, and she instinc-
lively realized her power-the power
of wealth, of beauty. and of youth 1t
had been beautifully done. so deftly
accomplished as To deceive even me-
Aye. and the method had succeeded
with Mccain. / recalled the express
sion of surprise, of qualification, Of
awakened pride on the mans face He
had no power of resistance left; he
was already putty in her hands.
True, but would he remain so? The
game she played was dangerous one ::
IL she ventured too far she would dis
cover the brute lurking in him still.
And he had the power. the physical
power, TO wreak vengeance once ne
suspicioned deceit. And there was no
one to help her II she made a single
false step-absolutely no one; she was
lamb among wolves. Those fellows
would never release me again. not for
moment. / would be compelled to
take observations, to calculate posi-
ton, TO trace our sailing course on the
chart, but not for an instant would
be left again unguarded. either on
deck or In the cabin. McCann would
see to that.
The afternoon passed, dragging its
weary hours, Nothing happened to re-
lieve the monotony and dread OF soli-
tude. No one approached the door OF
the stateroom not eTen TO offer me
food, and my ears were able to dis
tinguish no sound OF movement in the
main cabin. Occasionally footsteps
passed along the deck overhead, and
once or twice heard the voice of Liv-
erpool sing out some order to the men
forward. The sun sank, its rays CLINT
ing across the waters, and telling me
the ship held TO its southwest course,
but the ocean, so far as l could see.
remained desolate, the horizon unbro-
ken by a CLEAN of sail, or smudge of
smoke. No echo of cry reached me
from any lookout aloft. Tho vessel
proceeded quietly, no effort being
made, apparently, to achieve speed.
judged our rate would not exceed I. .ght
knots, and decided there was either
scarcity Of men in the stokehole, or
else they were conserving fuel to at
tain greater speed during the hours
of darkness. The bright sunlight be-
gan TO fade into purple dusk.
he knew just how to deal with my case.
Your congratulations are appreci-
ated for what they are worth" / an
swered. unable to wholly restrain my
self. But we will let the discussion
end here"
"Oh, will we? Well, perhaps you
will recall that circumstances have
changed since our last talk. You are
no longer captain OF this ship-I am !;
and i will say what please on board.
The first thing l 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 a topic of
conversation between you? What was
the occasionl"
Mccain laughed, not In the least
embarrassed, and evidently convinced
that his position was sufficiently
strong TO give him a clear advantage.
Hollis natural modesty prevents
his answering but as disinterested
party, / will take upon myself to ex-
plain. The truth is | comprehended