The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-11-02

bound"
But I understood you to say that
that would only increase your peril"
1T might, and 1t might not. At least
will not consent to have you impli-
Gated In the affair any further than you
are now. I will not sacrifice you to
help our friend yonder save his for
tune. I'll give him my answer now"
l took a 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, hest
tated an instant as though perplexed
at the mans appearance; then adj
vanced and met him.
"Mr. Bascom," she exclaimed, "can
this indeed be you?"
"You speak my name, certainly" he
ingly without recognition. "Yet / 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 I" he cried, note of delight
in his voice. "Of course remember;
but you have become woman, the
very last person in the world expect
ed 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"
I said, "having no thought of your pre-
vious acquaintance. The young lady
and have just been discussing the sit
uation-"
"Wait just a moment, Mr.. Hbllis,"
she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas-
CONS face. "This discovery changes
everything. Mr.. Bascom Is an old
friend"
$50 Judge; but do not intend to
let that influence your decision"
"But 1t will, and does!" a certain
impetuous appeal in her voice. ~ did
not understand before, as do now.
You are the owner, Mr.. Bascom? This
is your boat and cargoT
Eyes, Vera; things have not gone
well with me of late, and my entire for
tune is here" he answered rather Bit
terly.
II 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
recoveredw
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
mother?"
SIS living in Philadelphia, but in
rather straitened circumstances, and
i'll my younger brother has been COM
PEELED to leave school and seek employ
ment." He smiled weakly. II 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 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. I know this gentleman, and
have met his mother; we were good
friends. He shall not be ruined
through any within Of girl. / urge
you to go ahead, not considering me In
the least"
II cannot quite understand so sud-
den change"
perhaps you do not understand
women" she said, and smiled. Surely
you recall who Mr.. Bnscom ISL"
"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 / recall
the affair. He Is the man Fergus Nc
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 ut 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 APP
peared puzzled.
you speak of met" he asked, "of my
difficulty with McCann?'
She looked up Mt him earnestly.
yes; II Is very strange. You should
know the truth. There were three of
US who escaped together when the
yacht sank; Mr.. Hollis, myself and
Fergus Mccain"
Bascom Strengthened, his lips pressed
tight.
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