Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-18
CON TR Alb AND
A Romance of the North Atlantic
BY RANDALL PARRISH

trampinE mp tho stairs Tho cabin became
Vuiot as though deserted. although I had
li,tlc doubt hut that a guard had been left
behind
Relieved Of the strain I turned to meet
the questioning eyes Of the girl
"That--that was better than nghting-
wasn't it?"' she asked almost anNousy.
Yes | lost my head for the moment, and
could only think Of reaching deck and
shouting an alarm to- the cruiser"
1T was too late FOR that"
Yes; we know it was now. and probably
would never have reached there alive. !
am very thankful to YOU"
ITO me- her lips smiled although her
eyes remained grave. why I merely
opened a door; besides, even that act was
suprcmly selfish"
~ cannot conceive how"
"Iou do not? Yet surely YOU can realize
what 1t would mean TO me to he left alone
on board with-with Fergus McCann."
"Ilc has ventured--"
only to my imagination, perhaps. He
has made no advances as--as yet DO not
think that for really / ought not to accuse
the man Of this evil only he has alarmed
me. ! hardly know why Trines have oc-
CURED which | would never have noticed
under other circumstances but-but | have
reason to fear the man"
Sometimes a glance is more Of an insult
than the painest speech"
Yes; that must he what I mean. so
dcspisc the creature that / shrink from
even looking into his eyes lit was to
avoid meeting him again that l locked the
door"
"IIc talked with you, them"
Yes. at the table. We were alone for n
moment, and II was bis manner that fright
cued me rather than any words said In
speech he seemed courteous enough, eX-
Ccpt that he boasted of his powers on
board, End tried to impress me with the
| though, that | was helpless except for his
protection. | became SO nervous ] could
remain with him no longer
And McCann-he made no effort to re.
strain you?"
He had no opportunity to interfere.
loft the table without speaking He--he
followed me, however, and tried my state
room door"
Saying nothing?"
mo; it was locked, and-and he laughed
and went away"
! crossed over, opened the port glass and
| looked out The sea was specked with sun
| shine, but the horizon was blotted with
| mist, which made me suspect the brooding
| Of storm. l turned to again meet her
| eyes.
81 suspect the man Is almost as much
| afraid Of you as you are Of him." I said
| quietly, and he is puzzled what to do with
you"
Afraid OF me-why?"
wen, II you were not ABOARD his problem
| would he much easier one TO solve. The
! lives Of none OF the rest Of us would weigh
| much in the calculation"
And you think my life does?'
Undoubtedly. Mccain is villain by
| nature he was born with criminal instincts.
| which have in no wise been changed by the
| possession Of wealth They were fairly well
| developed even in the environment of New
| York, but, when the fellow became suddenly
| plunged into this adventure when he found
| himself utterly outside the limits of the law,
| with reckless followers behind he COM
| plctely ran amuck His hatred OF me, and
| desire for revenge, probably were the
| earliest factors leading to action / doubt
| If he realized in the beginning any such re-