American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-12-14

he not insist upon my going with him
In the boat?"
l walked twice across the narrow
space of the deck, conscious that her
questioning eyes followed me.
Yes" l admitted, pausing to study
her face. "You might even be obliged
to do that. You must front this DOS
sibillty, although the necessity may be
avoided. But McCann's boat will make
st. Johns. He dare not resort to
force once you are ashore. l do not
u that a serious danger-only he.
must not suspect your purpose until
too late TO prevent his interfering with
your action. Nor will you be unsafe
with him in the open boat, for the two
of you will not be alone. Your great
est peril will be while aboard this
ship, and completely In McCann's
power"
"The open boat will not be long at
scar"
mot to exceed a few hours prob
ably Liverpool and White are seamen
enough to see that II is equipped with
a sail, and II the wind be favorable,
they will make land quickly. But
there is even a chance that you need
not take this risk"
What chance7" the full measure of
her emotions finding evidence In her
voice.
If Leayord or Olson could be Sc
cretly released, or even II you could
be assured that l was free to attain
the deck at the proper moment, and
thus able to release these others, we
might best play a bold game. BY urg-
ing some excuse you could delay leav-
ing the ship until after all the mutt
neers were over the side, and in the
boats. Mccain might remain on board
with you, but he would be only one
man to handle. Once we had control
OF the ship, we could defend the decks,
and prevent those rufians from return
ing on board. at least until they sur
rendered all arms, and agreed to such
terms al we offered"
"That-that would be a most despe-
rate e~xpedient," she said dejectedly,
ats success doubtful. You would be
terribly o~utnumbered. and without
weapons"
II do not see It so. Outnumbered,
yes; but with every advantage of po-
sition. Those fellows could not clam
Der up the side, unless 1t be one at a
time. Besides, the major part of the
crew are doubtless m%utineers against
their will, and would be glad enough
to return to duty If promised protec-
ton. l doubt If there be three revolv-
,ers on board. l have one of these, and
McCann carries another. Really the
plan looks feasible to me-"
She arose and crossed over to the
open port, gazing out in silence across
the waste of waters, the wind lifting
strands of her rufled hair. She re-
manned there motionless so long l be-
came impatient.
Have you no answer to maker |
questioned at last. You think the
scheme impracticable? ?"
"No; II is not that" but without
changing posture or glancing about.
and l felt there was a deadness in
her voice, far from encouraging. But
but l do not like the part assigned TO
me-"
"You fear o might find It difficult
to carry out the deceit7"
She turned and faced me. and there
We're tears in her eyes, which she
swept Indignantly away with a swift
gesture.
you have used the right word" she
exclaimed, no longer hesitatlng in
speech. Il am not accustomed to de-
ceir, MIR. Hollis l have never learned
how TO lie. or conceal my true feelings.
am not afraid physically; ii is not
that but you ask me to permit this
fellow 10 make love to me. and [ am
70 encourage his hopes, and pretend
TO yield to his a%dvancements. You
ask me to lower my w~omanhood. 10
taxi my place on u level with a girl
OF the streets, and pretend to sell N.Y.
self for a price. Is this your concep
ton Of my character3"
IL was as though she had slapped
me In the face, yet l was ready. half
anticipating she might assume this Do
sitiOn.
"No; but l believe you willing TO
sacrifice your conception of What or
dinarlly seems right to save this ship.
and the lives of those aboard; to pre-
serve Philip Bascom's fortune. There
need De no love making, no pretense
at love. You seemingly yield to force,
surrender to fear; that would be the
only way in which Mccain would ex-
pect to gain your consent"
"You-you wish me TO do thlsf"
ut appears to me as our only hope"
"And II l do. you will not despise
met You will not feel my action I'M
: