Meade County news., 1917-10-25

| uunSerOuSE T.
"Of capture. and possible imprlson.
ment-yes. Probably our lives will
not be in any special peril. We have
no arms with which to resist. If once
overhauled, prize crew would be put
on board, and we would be taken to the
nearest British or French port, as pris.
oners of war. Our cargo, destined for
the German government, would be ant
ply sufficient to condemn us. Under
the circumstances, our own country
would make no effort to protect us. !
should not mind, but / cannot expose
you to hardship and possible lmprls-
onment."
Her eyes were shining, and her hand
reached forth, unconsciously, and rest
ed on mine.
"How long would 1t require?"
weeks, probably; I should choose
the more northern route, around Scot
land, and then skirt the Norway coast
through the North sea-"
ITO place me on some other vessel
at sea would spoil your plan, Mr.. Hol-
ns?"
1T would render our chances of sue
cess much less. The only possibility
would be the meeting Of some Amerl-
can ship, homeward bound, whose cap
tain would prOml1e to make no report.
Such one might be hard to find, espe-
cially If he suspected we were endeav-
oring to carry munitions of war to Ger
many"
"Do you believe the Germans are
right in this war-that you ought to
aid themT
II cannot answer that" / answered
honestly enough, "for / do not fully
understand the conditions. To be per
fectly frank, however, my sympathles
are with England and France. In
this case am not considering either
side, but the poor devil who owns this
ship and cargo. What we carry on
board here will not be a drop lin the
bucket, but its loss will spell ruin to
him, and that is the thought which in.
fluences me-"
"And l could not even dispatch O
meSSage-wlrelessW
"The Indian Chief has no equipment
No. Miss Vera, we shall be absolutely
lost to the world until we are either
captured, or safe in some German port
l would not deceive you-the project
Is both a desperate and a dangerous
one."
The girl remained silent, her eyes
lowered to the deck. I had said all
possible, determined as l was not to
influence her decision. AS she did not
speak, or change her attitude, l arose
and walked across the cabin to where
1 could look out forward.
"Nlr. Hollis"
"Yes." l turned.
81 must decide thls2 You mean tC
leave it all to me?"
"There is no other way"
! "Put C. :lSi know what to say.
thought at first corlc answer yes
gladly. am not ofraid, not the least
bit afraid; and # could only get some
word back to my people in New York
that am safe, would almost welcome
the adventure. l am only a girl, yor
know, and II like such tEi2gs. Bu
they will worry horribly, for they have
no knowledge of where am. No ont
knows. IL have simply disappeared
and papa will have detectives hunt
ing Tor me, aud will have to tel
mother. They will imagine all sort
Of horrid things. And you soy It -na!
5e weeks. or even months. before
couid gel message 20 America"
II aI1 atraio 80. Miss Vera l wishe,
you TO understand the exact truth"
''Oh. ! 90 not :r'rk that would b
righ:-dc your"
. "I Shnuget you might feel that way
: Gnd s" L nt 20 pledge before tel!in
you the story. OF course, l knew nvti
, ing of how you were situated; or ur
der what circumstances you had lef
r home"
II stole away unknown to anyone
( it was just lark, foolish joke. N
one knows where / am. If coUld onl
| send them word"
: l touched the bent head gently wit
0 my hand.
"Do not worry" I said kindly. "W
h will give the scheme up entirely, an
!. head toward the nearest America
b port. Perhaps luck may favor US, an
s If we meet an American ship, we ca
transship you, and then take q chanc