The Carlisle independent., 1917-03-08

As he was striding briskly past line of stores, barber shops, saloons and pool rooms, which comprise Valda- via's business district, he felt hand fall suddenly on his shoulder, while a hoarse voice boomed:
 "Avast there, MT. Hope. Stand by a minute and pass the time of day with an old shipmate, won't ye?"
 The young officer whirled about to confront a figure so quaint, so pie turesque, so redolent of the sea that he might well have stepped from the pages of Treasure Island" The man was of such tremendous girth that he looked shorter than he really was. Protruding from his right coat sleeve, where his hand should have been, was a crudely fashioned iron hook. For moment, Hope stared at him coldly, then the light of recognition came over his face.
 Hook Barnaele, as I'm alive" he exclaimed, grasping the old sea-dog's single hand. Why, Hook, I haven't seen or heard of you since you got your discharge from the old Decatur back in '99. You've grown so fat since those days that I didn't know you at first"
 You could get as fat as a jellyfsh, l MT Hope, sir, and I'd know you any where. It's going on seventeen years since you jumped overheard in Pago- Pago harbor, and yanked me out of the jaws of that shark, but I remem- | Der it as clear as if 1t happened yes terday And what brings you out to the coast, if 1 might make so bold's to ask, sir?"
 I've been detailed to see man named Burke-Dr. Ralph Burke-an inventor He lives here in Valdavia. Ever hear of him?"
 Hear O Doctor Burke?" chuckled the sailor. Why, Lord love you, sir, I've been doing odd jobs for the doc | tor ever since he and his daughter came here to live. And when he heard that used to be in the navy he gave me charge O putting the engine in that old submarine hull he bought while back. By the jumping Jehosaphat, I'll bet that's what brings you to Valda- via, lootenant-to get the secret O the submarine!"
 Hook" laughed the officer, your deductions would do credit to Sher- lock Holmes. I've come out to have a look into Doctor Burke's invention. Now suppose you show me where he lives"
 At the very edge of the town, where the street became a country road, stood a weatherbeaten two-story frame house. As Hook swung open the creaking gate a young girl suddenly darted around the corner Of the house and then, catching sight of Hope, stopped dead, like a startled lawn. She was a very beautiful girl indeed: straight and slender as boy, with a skin like creamy satin and great crown of ruddy hair which turned to molten gold when the sun struck upon it. So lovely was she that Hope stood staring at her; stared until rosy wave of confusion swept over her | from brow to bosom.
 Miss Cleo, permit me to introduce Lootenant Hope" said Hook. Loo tenant, this is Miss Cleo Burke, Doc tor Burke's daughter. You've hearn me tell O the lootenant before, Miss Cleo, an how he saved my life in Pago-Pago."
 Not the MT Hope who dove into the harbor and saved you from the shark?" she exclaimed breathlessly, open admiration in her eyes. Hook has told us that story a hundred times, Mr. Hope Why, it was quite the b,avest thing I have ever heard of
 Believe me, Miss Burke" said Hope, embarrassed in his turn, "I did nothing that any man would not have done in my place. Hook greatly over rates my services to him. It would | never do to let as good a seaman as 1 Hook become breakfast food for fshes"
 "You-you haven't come to see my fathers invention, have you? You haven't come in answer to his letter to the secretary of the navy?"
 That is precisely why have come, Miss Burke" said Hope. "In order to see it I have travelled three thousand miles,
 "Oh, MT. Hope," she said anXiously, T pray with all my heart that the government will take it. It has been | my fathers life work. It's acceptance will mean so very much to him-to me-to both of us. It would be l dream come true I'll fell him that you are here"
 The room into which she led Hope was stacked from floor to ceiling with books. As he was idly turning over the pages of treatise on chemistry | the door opened to admit Doctor Burke. The inventor was a small, wiry, nervous man, whose quick, ex- citable gestures plainly showed the strain under which he had been work l ing.
 | You are very welcome, MT. Hope" | L l.