Meade County news., 1917-12-20
CHAPTER xxII.-continued.

had forgotten where we were, the ma
ture of our surroundings, the fate
(which threatened us. / could remem
pr only her, the velvety touch Of hel
desh, the welcoming light Of love In
her eyes. know not what we talked
about, conscious only Of the Joy OF
being alone together, with every bar.
rier between US swept away forever
The sunshine poured in through the
open port, touching her hair with
threads Of golden light, and leaving
q bar of brilliance across the state
room deck.
Yet / imagine the respite was not
iong. There came a sharp rap upon
the wood of the door, bringing us in
etantly back to realization Of our po-
Aton. Her arms released me, and ]
arose to my feet.
"What Is waAted"
"It's few minutes till noon, sir, "
eaid voice failed to recognize. sand
I'm to tell you to come on deck"
"Quite right, my man, I'll be there
at once. Stand by to carry the instru-
ments."
aye, aye, Sir"
There was a certain cheerfulness
and respect In the voice, which con-
Htnced me that the fellow was not
among the ringleaders, but the hope
OF making him an adherent to our
cause vanished when / opened the
door, and recognized Dade. The man
was too weak, TO much Of jellyhsh,
10 render his friendship of any particu-
Jar value. Besides Dugan was also In
the cabin, leaning idly against the
Gtair-rail, but quite as evidently on
guard. / nodded to him, but he only
condescended to stare In return, and
the look In his eyes convinced me that
ne had not yet forgiven the rough
treatment accorded him few hours
before. The memery made me smile.
~rve seen you when you looked hap
pier, Dugan," said carelessly, "but /
Imagine you have nothing on Jim
White"
ITO hi with yer" he growled saw
agey. 'If had my way ye'd have no
tongue left to get smart with. Get
along now after yer things,
Dade followed me into the captains
JStateroom. He was obedient enough,
but reluctant to talk, no doubt afraid
of being overheard by Dugan.
The conspirators were grouped on
the after deck waiting my arrival, and
4 followed Dade up the ladder, deter
mined they should perceive no change
In my demeanor, which might awaken
suspicion. McCann's manner was far
from cordial as 1 approached, but l
Thought 1t best to ignore his churllsh-
ness.
"You were long enough coming; per-
maps you still think yourself in COM
mand?" he said savagely.
THAT would indeed be stretch Of
che Imagination" replied, holding my
temper, and motioning Dade where to
place the sextant. However, do not
think / have wasted my time-it Is still
two minutes Of twelve"
He growled something, but busied
myself with the observation, only anx-
4ous to make 1t accurate enough for
my own use. Whatever figures / re-
ported, 1t was absolutely necessary
that know myself the exact position
of the ship. Nor did I dare to juggle
them greatly in my report, for while
McCann was far from being an expert
navigator, he yet possessed smatter-
tng Of knowledge, which rendered him
dangerous, and he was very sure to
check up my figures with every care
possible. However, I fooled him by a
point or two, sufficient for my purpose,
and wrote down the result on the back
of an old envelope, while slowing away
the correct figures in my own brain.
Although the air was balmy enough
the wind from the southwest almost
directly in our teeth, yet there was q
took of the north about both sea and
sky, which would have convinced me
that we were approaching higher lad
tudes without the aid of my observa'
tion. Without being able to explain
the phenomenon the seaman instinc
lively recognizes northern waters
Now, as my eyes swept the wide circle
of the horizon, vainly seeking the
gleam of some distant sail, the heav
lng expanse Of water. the overarchinG
sky were almost alike in color-t
cold, repellent blue, misting into gray
afar off, as though particles of fot
oiled the, atmosphere. Indeed 1t wa'
this which interested me the most, thi'
vague evidence Of floating vapor, fol
q knew enough Of these seas to sus
pect that this might prove the fore
gunner of storm, already preparing t.
sweep down upon us out of the NOR
northern mystery. Others must hav,
noted the evidence also, for Liverpoo
crossed the deck to where stood, leav
Ing McCann with the chart in hi
hands.
'Nvhat do yer think O. that sorte
anist out yonder?" he asked, indicating
,the distance by a sweep of the hands
And striving to make his gruff voic
sound friendly.
"It may mean nothing" answere,
civilly enough. II have never sale
these waters, but my guess would b