The Huttig news., 1917-10-20
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this indeed he your
 You speak my name, certainly" he replied, but gazing into her face seem ingly without recognition. "Yet l do not recall"
 "Oh yes. you do; surely you must,' she interrupted. "Why, you have changed more than I. Do you not re- member the moonlight nights at Palm Beach? The fishing parties along the coast?'
 "Vera.' he cried a note of delight in his voice. "Of course l remember: but you have become woman, the very last person in the world l expect. cd to see. And so you a@P the lady we were fortunate enough to rescue. Mir. Hollis never even mentioned your name"
 "There was no reason why l should, I said, having no thought of your pre- gious acquaintance. The young lady and I have just been discussing the sit uation-'
 "Wait just moment, NIT. Tlollis," she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas- com's face. This discovery changes everything. Mr Bascom Is an old friend"
 "So I judge; but l do nor intend to let that influence your decision"
 But it will and does!" a certain impetuous appeal in her voice. II did not understand before. as I do now. You are the owner. Mr Baseom? This s your boat and cargo?"
 'Yes, Vera; things have not gone we'll with me of late and my entire for une Is here," he answered rather bit terly.
 'I am sorry; I had not heard. You have been terribly i'll, from your looks, and are lame. lit was that affair in New York, from which you never recoveredf"
 ''I was in the hospital for months, and scarcely hoped to live. That was when my business went to smash.n
 Father never told me; and your mother?"
 "Is living in Philadelphia, but In rather straitened circumstances, and III; my younger brother has been com- pelled to leave school and seek employ ment." He smiled weakly "T had hoped this voyage would set us all on our feet again."
 She released her hand from his grasp, and sank down once more into the chair. her glance leaving his face, and seeking mine.
 "Mr. Hollis" she said, almost def- antly. .'It is my wish that the Indian Chief continue its voyage"
 But I cannot consent-'
 You left this decision to me. We'll make that decision. My comfort even the momentary fear which my family may feel over my strange disap- pearance, could never Justify my re fusal. l know this gentleman, and have met his mother; we were good friends. He shall not be ruined through any whim of girl. l urge you to go ahead, not considering me in the least"
 "I cannot quite understand so sud den change"
 Perhaps you do not understand women,n she said, and smiled. "Surely you recall who Mir. Baseom is?'
 Not in the remotest degree"
 But we spoke of him in the boat Philip Bascom.'
 My eyes widened. and I caught my breath.
 Good heavens! yes; now l recall the affair. He is the man Fergus Me Cam shot in the hotel restaurant. That was the accident he speaks of. Why this Is strange enough to be fiction
 Bascom stood, leaning on his cane looking at us, as though failing to com prehend what 1t was We were talking about Possibly he did not catch our words clearly, for his white face ap peared puzzled.
 You speak of me?" he asked, "of my difficulty with McCann?"
 She looked up at him earnestly.
 "Yes it is very strange. You should know the truth. There were three of us who escaped together when the yacht sank; Mir. Hollis, myself and Fergus McCann."
 Bascom strengthened, his lips pressed tight.
 "He is here now; a guest on board my ship?"
 'Yes do not know where-sdeeping in one of the staterooms, prob ably. l have not seen him since l came over the side"
 Bascom's expression was one of struggle, as he stared into our faces. It was difficult for him to find words; to even control his mind.
 "This-this is misfortune" he said finally. "I do not know how it will end. I have sought to avoid the nan. Miss Vera, do you know the truth of that affair? not the newspaper story, but the facts?"
 She shook her head.
 "I only heard that the trouble oc- cured over Myra Bradley. McCann found you together, and shot you in fit of jealous rage"
 "So far the story was true; but I was not at the restaurant with Miss