Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-10-25

AND, Stralnlng MS eyes through the
darkness. he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
her face an expression so pitiful that
it almost brought the tears to Don
AIDS eyes.
She was watching him with a dumb
yearning Of inexpressible pathos. That
look reminded Donald of the old leg
end of the mermaid who could obtain
q soul only from some human lover.
An idea came to him. He would go
Up into the coming tower; in that mar
row space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood in the passage, ct
the bottom Of the trapdoor, Clouts ap-
peared before him. 1t occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
there for considerable time.
cts all right, sir" said CIouts.
"YOu told me to call you when you was
to go on duty, and it's all right
whats all right?" demanded Don
aid
ITS all right sir. l understand such
things" said Clouts.
"Clouts, what the devil are you talk
ing about?"
ITS all right, SIR" replied Clouts
for the third time, pointing before him.
And in the passage, not more than
a dozen feet away, Donald saw the
wOman's form.
His anger vanished. He took the
sailor by the arm
"Clouts," he said, "do you suppose
we could get her into the coming
tower?"
81 don't know, sir" said Clouts,
shaking his head. eff she's willing to
go, sir. That's the question, sir"
"Clouts"-Donald's voice sank to a
whisper-''you must understand that
this isn't a woman-at least not
human one. She's-she's-"
"Quite so, if I might say so, or there
abouts," said Clouts.
"And do you think you could get
her there?"
Clouts scratched his head. 81 Sup
pose so, sir" he answered. But she'd
have to come out again, you know"
That's what intend" said Donald
desperately. Back into the water
through the airlock."
''Push her in, STRIP
Lead her in, Ctouts. Put on my
coat and let her follow you. Then,
when you've got her inside, put on the
last diving dress and see that She
that she doesn't come back. I don't
! tn
under the water, you know. And
while you're about it, Clouts, you
+ might see if you can adjust the rud-
der"
! For q moment ClOuts and his cap
tain looked hard into each others
! eyes. Then ClOuts' grim face softened.
! Putting his hands to his pocket, he
! drew out his mouth organ, and the
soft strains of "Anfie Rooney" went
| up into the air. ClOuts played it
/ through with quiet resolution.
"I'I do it, sir" he said.
Donald turned and saw that the
woman of the sea stood exactly where
she had been throughout that inter-
view. She had not stirred.
He waited while Clouts found the
last diving suit in the storeroom, and
! then the two went back into the mess
room. Presently CIouts emerged en-
cased in his cylinder, and holding the
glass mask in his hand. About his
shoulders he wore D0nald's coat. Don
aid waited within.
He heard the coming tower trap
door close, and after that he could
hear nothing He waited an indefinite
time. Suddenly a soft splashing of Wa
ter told him that the lower levels Of
the sea were being agitated by the
| condensed oxygen in the airlOck. There
| followed silence. The sounds were
cut off abruptly, and for long time
Donald waited.
His nerves were so tense that when
CIOuts opened the door he started yiO-
lently. He peered into the sailors
face.
give done it, sir" said Clouts. "She
followed me like-llke dog, sir. And
| / saw her eyes when I pushed her into
the water and I don't want to see a
look like that again. It felt like MIR
der, SIR
"Nonsenser' exclaimed Donald an
grily. you know perfectly we'll
ClOuts, that she wasn't on board when
we started. Therefore, she must have
come in with us from the sea bottom
81 know, sir" said Clouts, shaking
his head mournfully. Then, unable tc
control himself, he clapped his hand
| to his mouth organ.
And Donald waited alone, sleepless
while the dreary night wore on.
CHAPTER XII