The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-20

at distance of about eight PAGES, ht
saw. mistily outlined, the face ant
body of the woman whom he had imag
ined that he saw in the house in Bal
timore-and again outside!
| He stared at her incredulOusly. HI
saw her SO family that once again hi
believed himself the victim Of hallu
cination. The faintest illumination
played about her, showing only the
ethereal spirit that seemed incarnate
in vapory cloud.
But this was no monster such as
those devils Of the sea. It was the
most beautiful woman whom Donald
had ever seen or imagined.
He stumbled toward her. He put
out his hand. AS he did so, the figure
moved, and he heard Enthusiastically the
| faintest slide of feet upon the floor.
He tried to catch her. to satisfy him
self that he was not dreaming but she
eluded him with ease, seeming to float
before his eyes, now here, now there.
Suddenly the door opened. Donald
saw Ida standing in the doorway, by
the light of the candle within her
cabin.
"Donald," she c"ied. 81 thought
I thought 1 saw woman pass my
door"
"Ida"'
The denial died on his lips. He was
not sure. He glanced hastily about
him. and, at the far end. he thought
he saw the dim outlines of his visitor
again.
Ida peered through the darkness.
She saw nothing, but she interpreted
Donald's movements correctly.
Donald! Who is she? How did
she come here?'
''There is nobody. Ida" He heard
the desperation in his voice; and at
that instant yearning toward the
ethereal loveliness Of that uncanny
wrath filled his whole heart. He took
q match from his box and struck 1t.
The squirt Of flame illuminated the
messroom. 1t was entirely empty.
'You see, DEAR" said Donald, turn
ing to Ida with an embarrassed laugh.
you have been dreaming. dear"
Eyes. suppose have been dream
Ing" she answered. But she spoke
without conviction. And suddenly she
was crying upon his shoulder.
"Donald, you were disappointed
when I came In ~ she sobbed.
"Dear. you are hysterical. In the
1t will be all right"
you don't love me any more. Don
aid"
"Of course love you" he responded
sadly. Somehow his heart was utterly
overcast; 1t was as If he had looked
Into the face Of immortal beauty. "Of
course love you. Won't You Try to
sleep, Ida7' he asked. .
"Yes." she answered, releasing her.
self. "But you don't love me, DON
add known |
And slowly she withdrew into her
cabin. leaving Donald prey to intense
and despair.
Who was she. this almost invisible
beauty7 Had she followed him here,
aboard the ship. Or-swimming behind
he submarine7 Was she another spe-
cies Of the sea devils?
Suddenly for the first time since
heir conversation, he recalled Master
mans words:
II brought my specimen home with
he. Think Of that. lad! She didn't
want to eat. They don't eat after they
ire mature, Donald"
Now 1t came to Donald with convic-
ion that the old captain had had ref
re ce tO-this woman!
And, straining his eyes through the
darkness, he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
Ter face an expression so pitiful that
t almost brought the tears to Dom
Ids eyes.
She was watching him with dumb
Of inexpressible pathos. That
ook reminded Donald Of the old leg
nd Of the mermaid who could obtain
soul only from some human hover.
Al idea came to him. He would 20
p Into the coming tower; in that mar
ow space he could see her better and
Understand what she was.
But as he stood in the passage, at
ne bottom OF the tfapdoor, Clouts ap-
cared before him. 1t occurred to
'onald afterward that he had been
here for considerable time. :,
ITS all right, sir!" said Clouts.
You told me to call you when you was
60 on duty, and it's all right" +,
whats all right7" dema ,led DON
Id.
Its all right, sir. understand such
lings," said Clouts. Il
"Clouts, what the devil arc you talk.
q about1" /,
tits all right, SIR" replied Clouts
" the third time. pointing before him.
And in the passage. not more than
dozen feet away, Donald saw the ,
oman's form.
His anger vanished. He took the ,
flor by the arm.
'Clouts," he said. do you suppose |
. could get her into tho coming
wer1'