Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-03-02
THE DEEP SEA PERIL
Bv VICTOR ROUSSEAU
(copyright by w. G. Chapman

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
MacBeard had seen them. He was
working frantically at the engine. Inc
inland sea still heaved, but 1t was be-
ginning to subside as the monsters, for
getful of Clouts' mouth organ, began
to draw toward the submarine again.
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 fill the universe.
1t was like deep, soft note upon
some mighty organ. And the response
was instant.
For the third time the swarm. mad
dened by the call, leaped toward it's
leader. And, as on Fair island, tidal
bore came on, q wall of water which
struck the F55 and rendered her help
less in an instant. 1t dashed her round
like top, it drove her, uncomfortable,
before it. In an instant the steering
gear was disabled. and the vessel
skidded through the waves toward the
cliffs of the ford, which grew larger
with unbelievable swiftness.
It was the last voyage OF the FOO.
The battered old submarine which had
rendered such yeoman service. drove
hard on the rocks. A needle point
pierced her amidships, score OF razor
edges rent her tanks. Slowly she sank,
still spinning, into the seething waters
that whipped the desolate shore.
AS soon as they realized that moth
ing could be done, the three had gath
cred upon the deck and waited Tor the
disaster. AS the F55 struck they leaped
into the sea. They escaped the MD
den fangs Of the rocks almost by q
miracle. A few strokes, and Donald
found himself upon the shore, which
the waves were wildly flashing, and
helping Davies to scramble out.
They gasped a moment and recov-
cred their breath.
"Where's Clouts?" asked Donalo
anxjously.
Then they saw the sailors head bob
bling among the waves. He was ap'
parently clinging to point OF rock
with one hand, while he thrust the
other down into the water.
"Clouts! Are you drowning" Don
aid called.
A bubbling sound replied. Donald
vaded into the sea, clinging to the pro-
jecting reef to save himself against the
pounding waves. AS he neared Clouts
the latter Strengthened himself and
sighed regretfully.
"What is it, Clouts? Are you badly
hurt?" asked Donald.
mo, sir" he gasped. "But I've
I've lost it, sir!"
Donald grasped him and pulled him
through the breakers to dry land un
gently. At that moment Clouts had
strained his patience severely with his
lost mouth organ.
"Look. sir!" said Davies, when the
three stood together once more.
Two hundred yards away Mac
Beard and Ida were standing beside
the motorboat. MacBeard's light craft
built upon scientific principles OF hi
own devising, had once again estab
lished it's worth. The waves-and lucl
had driven it ashore uninjured. Ant
MacBeard seemed to be inviting Ida t
re-enter it.
The game seemed in MacBeard'
hands once more.
"Come" shouted Donald, starting
forward.
But before he had broken into ru'
Clouts stood barring his way.
1--WE found her, sir!" he shouted
"Look, sir!"
| Donald was on the point Of knock
ing the sailor down. His mouth orgal
had become a justification for hom1
eide.
But Uouts was not making refer
ence to his mouth organ just then. 4
CRY from Davies stopped Donald upol
the verge Of delivering his blow
Donald started and saw, close to hi
side. the evanescent, nebulous on,
lines of the queen Of the swarm.
And in that moment the memory Q
Ida faded from his mind. He stare
at her like a man bewitched.
Her face, which had always bee
, the most conspicuous part, wa
strangely clouded. It was, indeed. a
| If a veil of vapor had been drawn owe
It. It seemed to cover her, like Ion
bridal veil, giving her the aspect OF
J shrouded figure.
| Davies did not stay to watch tha
) meeting. Neither did Clouts. The
r started at full speed toward MacBear'
{ who, already having launched his M
torboat upon the waves, was holdln
= out his hand to Ida.
She hesitated and drew back. The
t we're only fifty PAGES away. And. tor
between her pledge and the desire
!. see Donald for one last moment Q
! earth. the girl stood waiting.
Donald, alone with the queen. locke
;, into her face and was aware Of notl
ing else.
!. She raised her arms, slowly Sd
}. threw off the draperies Of clinging mil
D that covered her head. She street.-the
! her arms out toward him. She fe
r upon her knees.
Her face was visible now. and Dol
q aid was aware Of a startling chang
!. in It. The beauty that had dazzle
q him was gone. A milky pallor, sprea'
ing along the veins and arteries, su
i fused the flesh. The same change We
y passing over her that had passed ov'
) the dying monster in the house in Ba
timore.
. 1xz,4h horror n0nald realized tn,