The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-12-07
CHAPTER discontinued.

cabin, leaving Donald prey to intense
bewilderment and despair.
Who was she, this almost invisible
beauty? Had she followed him here,
aboard the ship, or-swimming behind
the submarine? Was she another spe-
cies Of the sea devils?
Suddenly, for the first time since
their conversation, he recalled Master
mans words:
II brought my specimen home with
ne. Think of that, ,ladi She didn't
want to eat. They don't eat after they
are mature, Donald"
Now it came to Donald with convic-
don that the old captain had had ref
erence to-this woman
And, straining his eyes through the
darkness, he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
her face an expression so pitiful that
1. almost brought the tears to Don
- dds eyes.
Y She was watching him with a dumb
learning of inexpressible pathos. That
took reminded Donald of the old leg
end of the mermaid who could obtain
h soul only from some human lover.
An idea came to him. He would go
Ep into the coming tower; in that mar
row space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood in the passage, at
the bottom of the trapdoor, Clouts APP
peared before him. It occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
there for considerable time.
sits all right, sirl" said Clouts.
You told me to call you when you was
10 go on duty, and it's all right"
what's all right?' demanded Don
lid.
cts all right, sir. understand such
things" said Clouts.
'Clouts, what the devil are you talk
ng about?"
TITS ALI right, sir" replied Clouts
5r the third time. pointing before him.
And in the passage, not more than
dozen feet away, Donald saw the
EOman's form.
His anger vanished. He took the
tailor by the arm.
"Clouts,'' he said, '.do you suppose
ne could get her into the, coming
s,wer?"
II don't know, SIR" said Clouts
lhalzing his head "If she's willing to
20. sir. That's the question, sir"
"Clouts" voice sank to
Ehisper-"you must understand that
his isn't woman-at least not
Imam one. She's-she's-"
"Quite so, if might say so, or there
tSouts,'' said Clouts.
"And do yon think you could get
Ter there?"
Clouts scratched his head. ,..T sup
!. pose so, sir" he answered. .'But she'd
A~aave to come out again, you know"
That's what intend" said Donald
desperately. "Back into the water
trough the airlock."
push her in, sir?"
LEAD her in, CIouts. Put on my
.oat and let her follow you. Then,
when you've got her inside, put on the
asst diving dress and see that She
nat she doesn't come back. I don't
nean you to hurt her. She can live
Inder the water, you know. And,
While you're about it, Clouts, you
night see if you can adjust the rud-
Ter"
For moment Clouts and his cap
Tin looked hard into each others
ayes. Then Clouts' grim face softened.
Iutting his hands to his pocket, he
rev out his mouth organ, and the
oft strains of "Annie Rooney went
ID into the air. Clouts played 1t
through with quiet resolution.
''I'll do it, sir" he said.
Donald turned and saw that the
roman Of the sea stood exactly where
me had been throughout that inter
z giew. She had not stirred.
He waited while Clouts found the
LIST diving suit in the storeroom, and
hen the two went back into the mess
.Oom Presently Clouts emerged, en-
.ased In his cylinder, and holding the
glass mask in his hand. About his
shoulders he wore Donald's coat. Don
aid waited within.
He heard the coming tower trap
loor close, and after that he could
Gear nothing. He waited an indefinite
lllne. suddenly SOIt SpiaSnlng OF wa
ter told him that the lower levels of
,tae sea were being agitated by the
condensed oxygen IN the airlock. There
followed silence. The sounds were
cut off abruptly, and for long time
Donald waited.
His nerves were so tense that when
Clouts opened the door he started vio-
lently. He peered into the sailors
face.
'Tve done it, sir" said Clouts. "She
beloved me like-like dog, sir. And
saw her eyes when pushed her into
the water, and l don't want to see a
took like that again. It felt ike muir
der, sir"
"Nansensei" exclaimed Donald an