Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-17
~CON1RABAND"
"A Romance q the
North Atlantic
By
RANDALL PARRISH
Copyrisht A. @ No Clurg d 90.
Author . my Lady q the
North, " Maid q the Pores" stc.

OopyN0nt a. ~ No VluIB q 70
The hours Of the night gave me am.
pie opportunity for thought, and care
full consideration. The wind held
steady, and while the sea roughened
somewhat this slight change was not
sufficient to diminish our progress, or
cause any swerving from the course
set. All remained quiet forward, the
watch on deck finding little to do other
than their routine duties, and no men,
Der Of the crew had any occasion to
come aft, except those detailed to tho
wheel. There seemed no reason why !
should remain on deck, yet the respon-
sibility rested upon me, and the impor-
lance Of the nights run prevented my
having any wish to retire below. How
ever, I found NO occasion to interfere
with the operation Of the ship, and re-
NAMED mostly on the main deck,
where my watchfulness assured me
there was no communication passed
between forecastle and cabin.
The fog grew steadily more dense,
until at dawn, we were steaming reck-
lessly through a thick cloud Of vapor,
barely able to observe the surface of
the sea. dull, sodden gray, few yards
in advance Of our bow. The dense,
watery folds swept along our sides, and
the rigging dripped moisture onto the
glistening deck planks. It was
gloomy, dreary morning enough and,
even as the light Of early dawn
strengthened, I could scarcely distin-
guish a thing forward of the main
mast. However, there was no slowing
up of speed or sounding of siren. Con-
WINGED that we were now safely to the
north Of the usual course of ships, I
preferred to take the chance of posi-
BILE collision.
My eyes were heavy from lack Of
sleep, and long staring out through the
black night; my senses dulled by hours
of inaction, during which nothing un-
usual had occurred to arouse me to
Of impending danger. no
longer even suspected trouble, or any
active hostility forward. With the,
dawn the density Of fog enwrapping
us seemed to increase, and completely
blot out every glimpse Of sea and sky.
Even Leayord leaned over the rail
just above me, could scarcely be dis
as man, and evidently his
eyes could not make me out at all, for
he hailed doubtfully:
"Are you still on deck, Mr.. Hollls?'
EYES," I answered, staring up at his
shadow. "a had fog"
''It is, sir. Would we better reduce
speed?"
"No, not yet; I am counting on open
water, and would rather chance strik-
Ing stray than risk being overhauled
by q British cruiser. The sun will
split this mist before noon, and mean
while we must make all the northing
possible"
/ heard his faye, aye, SIR" as I
crossed to the port rail. had reached
Z point nearly opposite the broken
stump Of the foremast when I was sud-
denly confronted by two blurred fig
ures emerging noiselessly from the
deeper shadow cast by quarter boat
swinging in davits. The fellows must
have known who was, and the path
Of my approach; no doubt had been
close enough aft to overhear my con-
with Leayord. At least they
were on me before l truly realized
their near presence-the one gripping
the arm I flung up In startled defense;
the other driving his fist straight into
my face.,~a sledge-hammer blow which
sent me crashing back full length on
the deck. Stunned, dazed as was by
this vicious attack, made an instant's
struggle, but was quickly crushed back,
. i.,erciiess hand gripping my throat.
Almost at the same moment the revol-
yer was removed from my pocket, the
cold. muzzle thrust against my cheek.
Lie still, d-you ~ muttered a
tense voice, and I knew the speaker
for Jim White, 'or FL blow the whole
top o yer head of"
retained sense enough to obey,
+ MIX: :.' 1sss i;;t;i;iIs me 10 the deck,
but some sound Of my fall must have
carried aft, for Leayord sang out
through the fog:
sT'orward there! What's all that
racket about?"
Whites fingers choked me into help
less silence, his knee crunching hard
into my breast. It was Liverpool Red
vvl,o anoWared sullenlY: = "