The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-04
Copyright A. c. McClurg & Co.,

IN good ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS enOugHI
to carry them all, but the Indian
Chief will be left with none to rescue
those of us who are left on board in
case Of accident to the vessel"
"And you anticipate @accident?"
II believe the ship will be deserted
In an unseaworthy scondition-either
with her bottom pierced, or her sea-
cocks open; and that those Of us left
aboard will be so confined as to be
practically helpless to save the vessel
from going down." -
"And the men In the boats will get
ashore, scatter and never be heard
from again. No one will ever learn
what became of the Indian Chief, or
that we were aboard2"
1.-THE French cruiser will report hav-
Ing spoken us ut sea. That will be
the last word. The truth will never
be made clear. Our fate will be anOth-
er sea mystery, never explained"
"Some of the crew might talk later
In liquor" - :.
"There is always that danger, and
Mccain is farsighted enough to guard
against 1t as far as possible. The
boats will easily become separated IN
the darkness. If the others ure ever
picked up, it will be accidentally by
some ship at sea-and there are al
most no ships in this ocean. There
are few laws in the plan, US l have
figured out"
She did not answer, her eyes on
my face, her expression exhibiting the
horror she felt ut this vivid picture
which I had drawn. Then she slowly,
gently Withdrew her, hand from my
grasp, sinking into aacAair, her head
bent forward. ~
"You-you really believe they actu-
ally, plan to do all this!' she asked
ut last. "And what-4-what about me?
You suggested that--that marriage
might save me from this fate. Do you
think so i'll of me as to imagine l
would ever consent to such bargain!
"What | may imagine has nothing
to do with the case, Miss Vera. My
thought, and that Of Fergus McCann,
Is not liable to be the same on any
subject. The only hope he can have
of ever winning you is through threat.
He possesses power and can assall you
with deadly peril. 1t is my belief that
he contemplates doing So"
"That he will offer me choice of
marriage with him, or death|'
"Yes; it will not be put III just SO
brutal form, for the fellow has
certain polish over his villainy, but
It will mean that"
"LOan me the revolver"
"For what purpose?" ".
ITO kill the brute, If ever he dares
such a proposal. Mr.. Hollis, | would
die before l would ever permit his
touch Marry him to save my life!
Why, l am so ashamed | cannot look
you in the face; cannot even find
words to express my7detestation of
such a suspicion"
stepped forward, and my hand
gently rested on the bowed shoulder.
"My dear girl" said earnestly.
'look Mt me, and believe my words.
Lift your eyes; want you to read
the truth in my heart. 1t Is not your
life alone; it Is mine also, and the
lives of nearly all the others aboard,
which are at stake. For the sake OF
us all am going to ask of you Il sac
rifce."
There had been mist of tears In
the uplifted eyes, but as l paused this
had vanished. "<f.
"a sacrifice?" she stammered. "rhat
marry that MANI"
GOD forbid! No; but thur you en-
courage him to think it possible"
"Oh, l could mott could not! DO
not ask that Of me-"
But listen," l urged eagerly, forget
full of all else in the earnestness OF
my plea. "Vera, listen before you
make decision. The only possible
hone lies in the freedom of one OF us
aboard. l can so juggle figures us to
keep the ship safely at sen for another
day and night, but no longer.
.Someone must he free to act ano
plan. I cannot, nor any Of those men
confined amidships. BY winning Nc
Cann's confidence: by seeming to yielt
to his desires, you will be allowed free
dom on board. You can demand it as
the price Of your surrender. All else
must depend on your woman's wit"
'But-but could l convince the man
Of my sincerity? IL detest him ST."
''He will want to be convinced; your
mere consent will satisfy him. You
must not look at this from your stand
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