Meade County news., 1917-12-13

force once you are ashore. do not
count that a serious danger-only he
must not suspect your purpose until
too late to prevent his interfering with
your action. Nor will you be unsafe
with him in the open boat, for the two
of you will not be alone. Your great
est peril will be while aboard this
ship, and completely in McCann's
power"
"The open boat will not be long at
seaT
"Not to exceed few hours prob
ably; Liverpool and White are seamen
enough to see that it is equipped with
sail, and If the wind be favorable,
they will make land quickly. But
there is even chance that you need
not take this risk"
"What chance?" the full measure of
her emotions finding evidence in her
voice.
"If Leayord or Olson could be Sc
cretly released, or even If you could
be assured that I was free to attain
the DICK at the proper moment, and
thus able to release these others, we
might best play bold game. By urg-
ing some excuse you could delay leav-
ing the ship until after all the mutt
neers were over the side, and in the
boats. McCann might remqin on board
with you, but he would be only one
man to handle. Once we had control
of the ship, we could defend the decks,
and prevent those ruffians from return
ing on board, at least until they sur
rendered all arms, and agreed to such
terms as we offered"
"That-that would be most despe-
rate expedient," she said dejectedly,
"its success doubtful. You would be
terribly outnumbered, and without
weapons"
II do not see it so. Outnumbered,
yes; but with every advantage Of po-
sitlon. Those fellows could not clam
ber up the side, unless it be one at
time. Besides the major part of the
crew are doubtless mutineers against
their will, and would be glad enough
to return to duty If promised protec-
tion. 1 doubt If there be three revolv-
ers on board. have one Of these, and
McCann carries another. Really the
plan looks feasible to me-"
She arose and crossed over to the
open port, gazing out in silence across
the waste Of waters, the wind lifting
strands of her ruffled hair. She re-
mained there motionless so long I be-
came impatient.
"Have you no answer to make?" I
questioned at last. "You think the
scheme impracticable%
'No; it is not that" but without
changing posture or glancing about,
and l felt there was a deadness in
her voice, far from encouraging. "But-
but do not like the part assigned to
me-"
"You fear you might find 1t difficult
to carry out the deceitP"
She turned and faced me, and there
were tears in her eyes, which she
swept Indignantly away with a swift
gesture.
"You have used the right word" she
exclaimed, no longer hesitating in
speech. II am not accustomed to de-
ceit, Mr.. Hollis; have never learned
how to lie, or conceal my true feelings.
l am not afraid physically; 1t Is not
that; but you ask me to permit this
fellow to make love to me, and am
to encourage his hoTes, and pretend
to yield to his advan,~ments. You
ask me to lower my wesaanhood, to
take my place on level Nth girl
Of the streets, and pretend II. veil my
self for price. Is this your eTNcep-
tion Of my characterT
1t was as though she had SLAPPED
me in the face, yet was ready, kali
anticipating she might assume this po-
Sltlon.
"No; but I believe you willing to
sacrifice your conception of what Or
dinarily seems right to save this ship,
and the lives of those aboard; to pre-
serve Philip Bascom's fortune. There
need be no love making, no pretense
at love. You seemingly yield to force,
surrender to fear; that would be the
only way in which Mccain would ex-
pect to gain your consent"
"You-you wish me to do this?"
ut appears to me as our only hope"
"And If do, you will not despise
me2 You will not feel my action un-
wohanly?"
N feel that of you'll Never; why,
1t would be impossible for me to con.
ceive of your acting unworthilyl"
She held out her hand.
"Then I will try" she said simply,
her eyes uplifted to mine.
CHAPTER XXI.
Words Of Love.
Ny hand-clasp tightened, and the
long lashes shaded her eyes, conceal
ing from me the mystery Of their