Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-10

tain to carry the news Of his inprison-
ment forward in spite Of any threat.
I began to suspect that McCann under
lock and key might indeed prove a
greater danger IN the end than he
would ifgaeft free to roam the deck.
The knowledge he now possessed that
this ALPHABETICALLY belonged to the very
man crippled by his pistol shot would
only serve to render the fellow more
yenomous. Nor could determine his
feelings toward Vera; yet IL he once
gained ascendancy on board, with such
rufflans as Liverpool and White in
control, the position Of the helpless
girl, alone and unprotected, would be
desperate indeed. MOI would hold
IN to the man and then rough 1t out
with the others. Se
The cabin lamp was turned so "
that scarcely the faintest reflection
streamed through the glass Of the com
panion, and was 20 deeply engrossed
in these reflections as to not even no.
tice the opening Of the door. Her voice
at my side aroused me with Q sudden
thrill.
us this Mr.. Hollisf'
1T certainly is," I answered, aware
now Of the dark outline beside me,
and even dimly distinguishing the con-
tour of her uplifted face. 1T is some
time since have enjoyed the pleasure
of your presence on deck in the night"
"Why refer to that now?' sreproach-
fully. ut Is not so delightful q mem.
ory."
1.-THE shipwreck-no; but the hrst
evening we met I cannot forget. But
you promised to make the mystery Of
your presence on board the Esmeralda
clear?'
"Has It not revealed itself?"
"Not to me-"
"But has not Philip Bascom told you
who ami"
I shook my head, not altogether
happy at this Introduction of his name,
but unable to resent 1t.
But you knew he recognized me !;
that we had been friends"
IAN the more reason why I should
remain silent As long as you evident
ly preferred that should not know"
"Oh. but / didn't, Mr.. Hollis" she
interrupted. ut never once occurred
to me that you were still in doubt as
to my identity. OF course at first
thought 1t safer to guard my secret;
IL did not know you at all then, only
by name; you. were merely guest on
board my fathers yacht"
"Your fathers yuchti Why, Of
course-how stupid Of me. Vera, Vera,
why the name had q strangely familiar
sound from the very first, but l could
not recall the association; you are
Gerald Carrington's daughter3"
II am Vera Darlington"
'But ! supposed you to be in Eu-
roper
ibid papa say so7s You must have
misunderstood. Mother would have
taken me with her. but.I had so much
I wanted to dsIn New York. It is
strange you should not have suspect
ed; TINT no one should have told you.
Why, both Mr.. Bascom and Mr. Nc
Cam knew me"
'Not McCann, surely?''
"Why mott We have met socially
In New York. II seems hardly pos
sibls, now that I realize the true char.
acter Of the man. But probably you
never asked; never discussed me be-
tween your
''That is the truth. OF course 1t was
quite impossible for me to question
McCann, and have seen very little Of
Bascom. Besides you rather threw
yourself on my honor"
"On the Esmeralda-yes. It was nee
essary then. for / simply had to keep
my presence a secret until we were
q safe distance at sea. There were
several on board who would have rec
ognized me at once. and would have
told papa. Mr.. Hollis, realize far
more than You can, all that has oc-
CURED through the mad whim Of girl.
But for me you would not be here on
this unlucky ship. .You would be with
those others rescued from the Esme-
rnlda safely in New York. Mr.. Hollis,
tell me, 10 there real trouble on board7
II there doubt Of your being able to
take the Indian Chief into port"
why do you ask7"
''Because-well, have heard things:
not much, but enough to arouse suspi-
cion. Then you had some trouble just
now, and locked a man up in one of
the staterooms. It was to ask you
about this that came on deck. VINO
was the man, and what had he done"
"Our old friend, Fergus McCann," I
answered, deciding to be frank with
her. ut was not so much what he had
done, as what he proposed doing. BE
was attempting to corrupt the crew
forward by the use Of money. and un-
fortunately, there are some scamps
aboard only too willing to make
trouble. felt II safer to nip the
scheme early"
"But what-what doss Mr.. 1cCann
seek7 Why should he endenvor to buy
up the meni What II his purposer'
ITO have the Indian Chief returned
to an American port. I'll do him the
credit Of saying that, until l told
him while ago. he possessed no
knowledge whatever that Bascom
owned the vessel. or WAS on board. he
hates Bascom yet, and will be only too
glad to ruin him. And he hates me.
because Of what occurred In the boat.
This Ii what underlies his action, no
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