Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-11-15

"4Ou-yOu consider the attempt very
| dangerously"
'Of capture. and possible imprison-
| ment-yes. Probably our lives Will
not be in any special peril. We have
no arms with which to resist. If once
| overhauled, a 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 am
ply sufficient to condemn US. Under
the circumstances, our own country
| would make no effort to protect us. 1
| should not mind, but 1 cannot expose
you to hardship and possible impris-
Onment."
Her eyes were shining, and her hand
reached forth, unconsciously, and rest
| ed on mine.
'How long would it 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-
lisp
| 1T would render our chances of sue
cess much less. The only possibility
|
| can ship, homeward bound, whose cap
tain would promise to make no report.
Such a 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 them?''
81 cannot answer that I answered
honestly enough, ''for I do not fully
understand the conditions. To be per-
fectly frank, however, my sympathies
are with England and France. In
this case I 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 in the
bucket, but its loss will spell ruin to
him, and that is the thought which in
f1uenceS me-"
''And could not even dispatch a
message-wireless?''
"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
1 would not deceive you-the project
is both a desperate and q dangerous
one"
The girl remained silent, her eyes
lowered to the deck. I had said all
possible, determined as 1 was not to
influence her decision. AS she did not
| speak, or change her attitude, arose
and walked across the cabin to where
1 could look out forward.
''Mr Hollis
/ "Yes." / turned.
Il must decide this? You mean to
leave it all to me?'
"There is no other way"
But / do not know what to say.
thought at first / could answer yes
gladly. 1 am not afraid, not the least
bit afraid: and if I could only get some
word back to my people in New York
that am safe, would almost welcome
the adventure I am only a girl, you
know, and II like such things. But
they will worry horribly, for they have
no knowledge of where am. No one
knows. II have simply disappeared
and papa Will have detectives hunt
ing for me. and will have to tel
mother. They will imagine all sort.
of horrid things And you say it ma,
be weeks, or even months, before
could get message to American"
IT am afraid so, Miss Vera I wished
you to understand the exact TRUTH
| "Ohi 1 do not think that would b,
right-do your"
81 thought you might feel that way
/ and so made no pledge before tellin.
you the story. Of course, knew moth
, ing of how you were situated; or un
der what circumstances you had lef
{ home"
Il stole away unknown to anyone
f | it was just lark, foolish joke N
one knows where am If could onl
i send them word !"
: I touched the bent head gently wit
u my hand
/ do not worry" said kindly. wv
h will give the scheme up entirely, an
t. head toward the nearest America
h port. Perhaps luck may favor us, an
S Eff we meet an American ship, we ca
ltrnnsship you. and then take chanc'