American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-10-26

tune. III give him my answer now"
/ 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. l 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 Appearances then adj
vanced and met him.
mr.. Bascom," she exclaimed, "can
this indeed be your"
you speak my name, certainly" he
replied. but gazing into her face SEEM
lngly without recognition. Yet / do
not recall"
"Oh, yes, you do surely you must"
she interrupted. why, you have
changed more han /. DO you not re-
member the moonlight nights at Palm
Beach, The fishing parties along the
cOastf'
Vera I" he cried, a note Of delight
I'm his voice. "Of course I remember
but you have become a 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 l should"
| 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.. Hollis"
she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas-
CONS face. This discovery changes
everything. Mr.. Bascom Is an old
friend
$50 I judge; but l do not intend to
let that influence your decision"
"But 1t Will, and does !" Il certain
lmpetuous appeal In her voice. 81 did
not understand before, as l do now.
You are the owner, Mr.. Bascom2 This
Is your boat and cargoT'
yes, Vera things have not gone
well with me Of late, and my entire for
tune Is here" he answered rather BIT
terly.
IL am sorry | had not heard. You
have been terribly m. from your looks.
and are lame. lit was that affair
In New York, from which you never
recovered7"
IL was In the hospital for months,
and scarcely hoped to live. That was
when my business wen to smash"
Father never told me; and your
mother2"
rs living in Philadelphia. but in
rather straitened circumstances. and
Ill my younger brother has been com
PEELED to leave school and seek employ
ment." lie 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.
mir. Hollis" she said, almost def
antly. ut is my wish that the Indian
Chief continue its voyage"
But l 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-
p%earance. could never Justify my re
fusal. l know this gentleman, and
have met his mother; we were good
friends. He shall not be ruined
through any within OF u girl. l urge
you 10 20 ahead, not considering me IN
the least"
Il cannot quite understand so sud
den IA change"
| Perhaps you do not understand
women" she said, and smiled. "Surel,
/, you recall who Mr.. Bascom ISL"
, mot In the remotest degree"
|, But we spoke Of him in the boat
Philip Bascom."
, My eyes widened, and l caught m,
: breath.
Good heavens yes; now l recall
J the AFFAIR. He is the man Fergus Nc
Cam shot In the hotel restaurant. Tha
was the accident he speaks OF. why
/ this Is strange enough TO be fiction"
5 Bascom stood. leaning on his a n
y looking at us, as though failing TO com
prehend what Il was we were talkinI
about. Possibly he did not catch GU
4 words clearly, for his white face az
peared puzzled.
9 "You speak of mel" he asked. "of IN.
difficulty with McCannf"
She looked up at him earnestly.
. Yes IL is very strange. You shout
know the truth. There were three O
us who escaped together when IN
: yacht sank; Mr. Hollis, myself md
Fergus Mccain"
Bascom Strengthened. his lips presse
~ tight.
y He is here now; a guest on boar
my shipT'
h YES; l do not know where-sleepin
In one OF the staterooms, probably.
have not seen him since l came owe