The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-01-31
CHAPTER xl-Contlnued.

Mdly. Somehow his heart was utterly
overcast; 1t was as II he had looked
into the face Of immortal beauty. "Of
course / love you. Won't you try to
Neep, Ida?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, releasing her
self. "But you don't love me, Don
add knowr
And slowly she withdrew into her
nbin, leaving Donald prey to intense
bewllderment and despair.
Who was she, this almost invisible
beauty? Had she followed him here,
lboard the ship, or--swlmming behind
the submarine? Was she another spe-
cies OF the sea devils?
Suddenly, for the first time since
heir conversation, he recalled Master
mans words:
II brought my specimen home with
ne. Think of that, lad! She didn't
want to eat They don't eat after they
ire mature, Donald"
Now II came to Donald with convic-
don that the old captain had had ref
nence to-thls woman
And, straining his eyes through the
darkness, he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
her face an expression so pltlful that
l almost brought the tears to Don
lld's eyes.
She was watching him with dumb
learning Of inexpressble pathos. That
Dok reminded Donald of the old leg
md of the mermaid who could obtain
soul only from some human lover
An Idea came to him. He would go
~ into the coming tower; In that mar
iow space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood In the passage, ut
he bottom of the trapdOor, Clouts APP
peared before him. 1t occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
here for considerable time.
TITS all right, sir" said Clouts.
You told me to call you when you was
% go on duty, and it's all right"
"Whats all right?' demanded DON
Nd.
TITS all right, sir. understand such
hings,' said Clouts.
"Clouts, what the devil are you talk
ng about?"
Its all right, SIR replied Clouts
tOr the third time, pointing before him.
Aud in the passage, not more than
4 dozen feet away, Donald saw the
Toman's form.
His anger vanished. He took the
mlor by the arm.
"Clouts," he said, "do you suppose
Ee could get her into the coming
sDwer?"
II don't know, sir" said Clouts,
making his head. "If she's willing to
20, sir. That's the question, sir"
"Clouts"-Donald's voice sank to
Ehisper-"you must understand that
thls isn't woman-at least not
iuman one. She's-she's-"
"Qute so, II might say so, or there
lbouts," said Clouts.
"And do you think you could get
her tkere?"
Clouts scratched his head. 81 sup
Jose so, sir" he answered. "But she'd
have to come out again, you know"
"That's what intend" said Donald
desperately. "Back into the water
through the alrlock."
'Push her in, sir?"
LEAD her in, Clouts. Put on my
Dat and let her follow you. Then,
Ehen you've got her inside, put on the
hast diving dress and see that She
Ihat she doesn't come back. I don't
mean you to hurt her She can live
ander the water, you know. And,
Ehlle you're about it, Clouts, you
might see If you can adjust the rud-
1er."
For moment Clouts and his cap
min looked hard into each others
eyes. Then Clouts' grim face softened.
Putting his hands to his pocket, he
1rew out his mouth organ. and the
soft strains of "Annle Rooney" went
up into the air. Clouts played 1t
through with quiet resolution.
'Tll do ii, sir" he said.
Donald turned and saw that the
CONAN of the sea stood exactly where
ihe had been throughout that inter-
View. She had not stirred.
He waited while Clouts found the
hst diving suit In the storeroom, and
then the two went back into the mess
iOom. Presently Clouts emerged, en-
ensed In his cylinder, and holding the
glass mask in his hand. About his
shoulders he wore Donald's coat. Don
aid waited within.
He heard the coming towers trap
door close, and after that he could
hear nothing. He waited an indefinite
line. Suddenly soft splashing of wa
er told him that the lower levels of
he sea were being agltated by the
condensed oxygen in the airlOcE. There I
followed silence. The sounds were
,ut off abruptly, and for a long time
Donald waited.
His nerves were so tense that when
Clouts opened the door he started vio-
Iently. He peered into the sailors
ince.
"i've done II, SIR" said Clouts. "She
beloved me like-like a dog sir. And
saw her eyes when pushed her into
he water, and I don't want to see n
bok like that again. 1t felt like MUIR ,
DER sir" S
Nonsense exclaimed Donald an
pily. You know perfectly well,
Clouts. that she wasn't on board when I
we started. Therefore, she must have !