Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-02-02
THE DEEP SEA PERIL,
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU

oeseeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeoe>
CHAPTER Continued.
"Of course love you," he responde
ndly. Somehow his heart was utterl
overcast; it was as If he had locke
into the face of immortal beauty. 20
course love you. Won't you try t
deep, Ida" he asked.
'Yes," she answered, releasing her
self. 'sBut you don't love me, Don
sld-I know!"
And slowly she withdrew into he
:abin. leaving Donald prey to intens'
bewilderment and despair.
Who was she, this almost invisible
beauty? Had she followed him here
aboard the ship, or-swimming behint
The submarine? Was she another spe
cies Of the sea devils?
Suddenly, for the first time since
their 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 1t came to Donald with convic.
Ion that the old captain had had ref
srence t0-this woman!
And. straining his eyes through the
darkness, he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
her face an expression so pitiful that
1 almost brought the tears to Don
dds eyes.
She was watching him with q dumb
learning Of inexpressible pathos. That
COX reminded Donald Of the old leg
md Of the mermaid who could obtain
I soul only from some human lover.
An idea came to him. He would 60
ap into the coming tower; in that mar
low space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood in the passage, Mt
the bottom Of the trapdoor, Clouts up
feared before him. It occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
here for considerable time.
'It's all right, sir" said Clouts.
You told me to call you when you was
60 on duty. and it's all right"
"What's all right?" demanded Don
I'D.
"It's all right. sir. l understand such
hings," said Clouts.
"Clouts, what the devil are you talk
ng about?"
Its all right, sir" replied Clouts
for the third time, pointing before him.
And In the passage. not more than
dozen feet away, Donald saw the
9oman's form.
Ills anger vanished. He took the
sailor by the arm.
"CIouts," lie said, do you suppose
sc could get her into the coming
:ower?"
Il don't know, SIR" said Clouts,
shaking his head. IF she's willing to
80. sir. That's the question, SIR
''Clouts" voice sank to a
chisper-"you must understand that
his isn't woman-at least not q
suman one. She's-she's-"
"Quitc SO, if might say so. or there
tbouts." said Clouts.
"And do you think you could get
ier there?"
Clouts scratched his head. II sup
pose so, sir" he answered. But she'd
ave to come out again. you know"
That's what intend" said Donald
desperately. "Back into the water
through the airlock."
''Push her in, sir?"
Lead her in, Clouts. Put on my
:oat and let her follow you. Then,
when you've got her inside, put on the
last diving dress and see that She
that she doesn't come back. I don't |
mean you to hurt her. She can live
ander the water, You know. And,
while you're about it, Clouts, you !
night see if you can adjust the rud- |
Ter"
For moment Clouts and his cap
:ain looked hard into each others
Eyes. Then Clouts' grim face softened.
Putting his hands to his pocket, he
rev out his mouth organ, and the
loft strains of "Annie Rooney" went |
Up into the air. Clouts played it
through with quiet resolution.
'I'll do it, sir" he said.
Donald turned and saw that the
Woman of the sea stood exactly where
he had been throughout that inter-
'iew. She had not stirred.
He waited while Clouts found the
asst diving suit in the storeroom, and
hen the two went back into the mess
Dom. Presently Clouts emerged, en-
ased In his cylinder. and holding the
lass mask In his hand. About his
houlders he wore Donald's coat. Don
Id waited within.
He heard the coming tower trap
oOr close, and after that he could
ear nothing. He waited an indefinite
Ime. Suddenly a soft splashing of wa
or told him that the lower levels of
he sea were being agitated by the
oxygen in the airl0ck. There
ollowed silence. The sounds were
ut off abruptly, and for a long time
Donald waited.
His nerves were so tense that when
'louts opened the door he started VIC
emily. He peered into the sailors
nee. /.
"i've done II, SIR" said Clouts. "She
ol!owed me like-like dog. sir. And
saw her eyes when pushed her into
he water. and don't want to see (
,ok like that again. It felt like MUIR {
er. sir" Is
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Donald an
rily. you know perfectly we'll,
louts,. that she wasn't on board when t
e started. Therefore, she must have /
ome in with us from the sea bottom" '