Meade County news., 1917-10-25

| bound"
"But I understood you to say that
that would only increase your peril"
ut might, and 1t might not. At least
l will not consent to have you impll-
Gated in the affair any further than you
are now. l will not sacrifice you to
help our friend yonder save his for
tune. III give him my answer now"
took step aft, but paused sudden
ly, for the door of the owners cabin
opened, and he came limping forth,
resting heavily on a cane, his white
face clearly revealed in the glare OF
the skylight. stepped back beside the
girl, who, aroused by my sudden move
ment, glanced up and saw him. Almost
instantly she was upon her feet, hesi-
tated an instant as though perplexed
at the mans appearance; then ad-
vRnced and met him.
"Mr. Bascom," she exclaimed, "can
this indeed be you2"
"You speak my name, certainly" he
replied, but gazing into her face SEEM
lngly without recognition. "Yet l do
not recall"
"Oh, yes, you do; surely you must"
she interrupted. "Why, you have
changed more than /. Do you not re-
member the moonlight nights at Palm
Beach? Tho fishing parties along the
coastT
"Vera I" he cried, n note of delight
in his. voice. OF course l remember; /;
but you have become a woman, the
very last person in the world expect
cd to see. And so you are the lady
we were fortunate enough 70 rescue.
Mr.. Hollis never even mentioned your
name"
"There was no reason why should"
said, "having no thought of your pre-
vlOus acquaintance. The young lady
and have just been discussing the sit
uation-"
"Wait just moment, Mr.. Hollis"
she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas-
CONS face. "This discovery changes
everything. Mr.. Bascom Is an old
friend"
$50 1 Judge; but do not intend to
let that influence your decision"
"But 1t will, and does" a certain
Iimpetuous appeal in her voice. II did
not understand before, as l do now.
You are the owner, Mr.. Bascom? This
is your boat and cargOT
"Yes, Vera; things have not gone
xrvlfI 0f Ioko nd for
tune is here" he answered rather bit
terly.
II am sorry; had not heard. You
have been terribly Ill, from your looks,
and are lame. lit was that affair
in New York, from which you never
, recoveredT
II was in the hospital for months,
and scarcely hoped to live. That was
when my business went to smash"
"Father never told me; and your
motherT
as living in Philadelphia, but in
rather straitened circumstances, and
III; my younger brother has been COM
PEELED to leave school and seek employ
ment." He smiled weakly. 81 had
hoped this voyage would set us all on
our feet again." s.s.f.g
She released her hand from his
grasp, and sank down once more into
the chair, her glance leaving his face,
and seeking mine. -.
"AIr. Hollis" she said, almost def
antly. at is my wish that the Indian
Chief continue its voyage"
"But i cannot consent"
"You left this decision to me. Well,
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. 1 know this gentleman, and
have met his mother; we were good
friends. He shall not be ruined
through any whim of a girl. / urge
you to go ahead, not considering me in
the least"
II cannot quite understand so sud-
den change"
"Pe;haps you do not understand
wAmen," she said, and smiled. "Surely
you recall who Mr.. Bascom ISL"
"Not in the remotest degree"
"But we spoke of him in the boat
Philip Bascom."
Ny eyes widened, and caught my
breath.
"Good heavensi yes; now / recall
the affair. He Is the man Fergus Nc
Cam shot in the hotel restaurant. Vha
was the accident he speaks Of. Noy
this Is strange enough tc bo t"tion."
So ",G eS"irg . his c01e
H." a; ms. -, tbo,'Yt ling TO com
prehen6 what II was we were ta!ktni
about. Possibly he did hOt catch Oh
words clearly. for his white face an
pearei pusz;ea.
"YoI speak OF nei" he asked, "ot m,
difficulty with MtCann?"
She looked mp at him earnestly.
eyes; It is very strange. You shoul'
know the truth. There were three o
us who escaped together when tn
yacht sank; Mr.. Hollis, myself and
Fergus McCann."
Bascom Strengthened, his lips presse
tight.
"He is mere now; guest on boar
, my shlp?"