Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-02-01
Copyright by w, C. Chapman

them over ,hc waves. They could
make out MacBeard's figure beside the
engines. Ida was doubtless within the
cabin.
"Up anchor, Clouts," said Donald.
Davies. take the engines again"
Presently the submarine began to
move 50 as to cut off MacBeard's
egrcss into the open sea. Then, at
Donald's command, they drew toward
the mOtOrbOat.
MacBeard had seer them. He was
working frantIcally at the engine. The
inland sea still heaved, but it was be-
ginning to subslde as the monsters, for
gctful Of Clouts' mouth organ, began
to draw toward the submarine agnin.
Then, for the third time, the i'm
prisoned queen gave the swarming call.
The sound, soft, yet incredibly vOlu-
minOus, rolled from the interior Of the
ship and seemed to fiji the universe.
II was like Il deep, soft note upon
some mighty organ, And the response
WaS Instant.
For the third time the swarm, mad
dcncd by the call, leaped toward its
leader. And, as on Fair island, a tidal
bore came on, n wall of water which
struck the F55 and rendered her help
less in an instant. It dashed her round
like n top, It drove her, uncomfortable,
before It. In an instant the steering
gear was disabled, and the vessel
Skiddcd through the waves toward the
cliffs Of the ford, which grew larger
with unbelievable swiftneSS.
II was the last voyage Of the F55.
The battered old submarine which had
rendered such ycOman service, drove
hard on the rocks. A needle point
pierced her nmidships, II score Of razor
edges rent her TANKS, Slowly she sank,
still spinning, into the Sccthing waters
that whipped the desolate shore.
AS 500 as they realized that moth
ing could be done, the three had gath
cred upon the deck and waited for the
disaster, AS the F55 struck they leaped
into the sea. They escaped the hid
den fangs Of the rocks almost by a
miracle. A few strokes, and Donald
found himself upon the shore, which
the waves We're wildly flashing, and
helping Davies to scramble out.
They gaspcd n moment and recOv-
cred their breath.
where's Clouts" asked Donald
%anxiously.
Then they saw the sailors head bob
bling among the waves. lie was APP
parently Clinging to Il point Of rock
with one hand, while he thrust the
other down into the water.
"Clouts' Are you drowning2" Don
aid called.
A bubbling sound replied. Donald
Waded into the sea, cllnglng to the pro-
icrting reef TO save himself against the
pounding waves. As he nearcd Clouts,
the latter Strengthened himself and
sighed rcgrctfully.
"What is it, Clouts? Are you badly
hurt?" asked Donald.
mo, sir" he gaSped. 'But I've
I've lost 1t. sir"
Donald graspcd him and pulled him
through the breakers to dry land I'M
gently. At that moment ClOuts had
strained his patience severely with his
lost mouth organ.
Look, sir" said Davies, when the
three stood together one more.
Two hundred yards away Mae
Beard and Ida were standing beside
the motorboat. MaC}eard'S light craft,
built upon scientific principles of his
own dcviSing, had once again eStah-
liShed its worth. The wAvcS-and luck
had driven 1t ashore uniniurcd. And
Maclieard seemed to be inviting Ida to
re-cnter it..
The game seemed in MacBeard's
hands once more.
Gomez" shouted Donald, starting
forward.
But before he had broken into n run
Clouts stood barring his way.
1--WE found her, siri" he shouted.
Look, sir
Donald was on the point Of knock
ing the sailor down, His mouth organ
had become a justification for homi-
eide.
But CloutS was not making refer
cnce 10 his mouth organ Just then. A
cry from Davies stopped Donald upon
the verge of delivering his blow.
Donald started and saw, close to his
side, the cvaneScent, nehulous out
lines of the queen of the swarm.
And in that moment the memory of
Ida faded from his mind. He stared
ut her like a man bewitched,
Her face, which had always been
the most conspicuous part, was
strangely clouded. 1t was, indeed, as
if a veil of yapor had been drawn over
it, II seemed to cover her. like a lone
bridal veil, giving her the aspect of Il
Shroudcd figure.
Davies did not stay to watch that
meeting, Neither did Clouts. They
started at full speed toward MNcBeard
who, already having launched his mo
torboat upon the waves, was holding
out his hand 70 Ida.
She heSitated and drew back, They
We're only fifty PAGES away. And, tori
between her pledge and the desire t.
see Donald for one last moment OF
earth, the girl stood waiting.
n..Il .o ,,;th 49, o,n y,nE,,,