The Carlisle independent., 1917-06-14

Upon reaching Ignacio, Hook ascer tained. after considerable question ing, that there was indeed a GreeB fisherman named Vlasto who lived with his wife in small shack on the beach, several miles from the town Landing at the rickety little wharf and crossing the strip of sandy beach oD which nets were drying, he approached the miserable dwelling. The tiny doorstep was shaded by vines, and seated under them was a girl. A pale and pitifully wasted girl, but at sight of her Hook gave a shout of joy. II was Cleo. For a moment she stared at him as though he had been 8 stranger; then the light of recognition l showed in her great, tired eyes, and 1 with a sob of relief and happiness she threw both arms around his neck, like child who has been lost and found.
 By dint of careful questioning he was able to gradually piece togethei the strange story of her disappear ance. For twenty-four hours after Mahlin's departure she had waited, without food or water, for his return At last the darkness, thirst and hun. ger had their effect on nerves already overstrained; her habitual coolness de serted her and she gave way to the hysteria of blind, unreasoning fear During the long hours of her impris onment she had discovered in the floor of the StOrehouse a trapdoor, which had evidently been overlooked by Mahlin, and this she raised, intending to use it as a last resort. At last, when her highly strung nerves were at the breaking point, she heard 8 motor car stop at the end of the wharf and the sound of men rapidly approaching. Never pausing to think that they might be friends instead oi enemies, and terrified at the thought that Mahlin was returning to carry out his unspoken threat, she hurriedly threw off her coat and hat, kicked of her slippers, and, lowering herself si- lently through the trap-door into the water, struck off in the darkness in what she supposed to be the direction of the shore. But she lost her bear ings, her strength failed her. and, witt a cry for help, she lost consciousness When, after many days, she returned to a realization of things, she was in bed. evidently in a flsherman's hut tended by an old Greek fisherman and his wife. The shock of her abduction her fear of Mahlin and Satsuma, and her narrow escape from death by drowning, had resulted in long and alarming nervous breakdown, from which she was gradually recovering.
 The official trial of Doctor Burke's invention had surpassed Hopes great. est expectations. It had done every thing that he had claimed for it and more.
 And now, with the submarine run hing awash as it sped back to Mare island, Hope stood on the deck beside the coming tower, staring out across ! the waters of the bay, turned momen. tarily crimson by the setting sun. The secret of the submarine had been found at last. It had proved an un. qualified success. The acceptance by
 
 the government was virtually assured He had accomplished his mission and would doubtless receive commendation and promotion. But of what avail was it all now? With Cleo gone his sue cess was not worth having. Tears blinded him at the thought of how had she been alive, they would have rejoiced together.
 So engrossed was he in his melan, choly thoughts that he failed to ob- serve the dingy power boat which ran alongside as the submarine slowed down to approach its moorings. Stand. ing in the stern was Hook, waving his hat delightedly. He had evidently come out to offer congratulations But, as the fishing boat came closer, he stepped aside and the young off. cer, looking down with staring, in- credulous eyes, saw, seated in the stern amid pile of pillows, girl, white and fragile as flower, who smiled up at him happily. For mo ment he continued to stare as though his eyes deceived him. Then, with great cry of love and happiness, ha sprang to the deck of the fishing boat and gathered her into his arms