The Elbert County tribune., 1918-04-19

Dut unuerstOOO you TO say tnnt
that would only increase your peril"
ut might, and It might not. At least
l will not consent to have you impli-
Gated In the affair any further than you
are now. will not sacrifice you to
help our friend yonder save his for
tune. I'll give him my answer now"
I took a step aft, but paused sudden
ly, for the door Of the owners cabin
opened, and he came llmping forth,
resting heavily on a cane. his white
face clearly revealed in the glare of
the skylight. / stepped back beside the
girl. who, aAoused by my sudden move
ment. glanced up and saw him. Almost
instantly she was upon her feet, hesi-
tated an instant as though perplexed
at the mans appearance; then ad-
vanced and met him.
"bfr. Bascom," she exclaimed, "can
this indeed be your
you speak my name, certainly" he
replied, but gazing into her face seem
ingly without recognition. yet / do
not recall"
"oh, yes. you do; surely you must"
she interrupted. "Why. you have
changed more than I. DO you not re-
member the moonlight nights at Palm
Beach? The fishing parties along the
constr"
"vera ~ he cried, a note of delight
in his voice. "Of course / remember;
but you have become woman, the
very last person In the world 1 expect
ed to see. And SO you are the lady
we were fortunate enough TO rescue.
Mr.. Hollis never even mentioned your
name"
"There was no reason why shoultl,"
I said, "having no thought of your pre-
vious acquaintance. The young lady
and l have just been discussing the sit
uation-"
"Wait just moment, Mr.. Hollis"
CONS face. "This discovery changes
everything. Mr.. Bascom Is an old
friend"
$50 Judge; but do not intend to
let that influence your decision"
But 1t will, and doesi |" certain
impetuous appeal in her voice. 81 did
not understand before, as l do now.
You are the owner, Mr.. Bascom? This
Is your boat and cargoT
"Yes. Vera; things have not gone
well with me of late. and my entire for
tune is here" he answered rather bit
terly.
II am sorry; had not heard. You
have been terribly Ill. from your looks,
and are lame. TIT was that affair
In New York, from which you never
II was In the hospital for months.
and scarcely hoped to live. That was
when my business went to smash"
Father never told me; and your
'Is living in Philadelphia. but in
rather straitened circumstances, and
Ill; my younger brother has been COM
PEELED to leave school and seek employ
ment." He smiled weakly. II had
hoped this voyage would set us all on
our feet again."
She released her hand from his
grasp. and sank down once more into
the chair, her glance leaving his face,
and seeking mine.
"Mr. Hollis" she said, almost def
antly. "It is my wish that the Indian
Chief continue Its voyage"
But cannot consent"
"You left this decision to me. Well,
I make that decision. My comfort,
even the momentary fear which my
family may feel over my strange dlsap-
pearance, could never justify my re-
fusal. I know this gentleman, and
have met his mother; we were good
friends. He shall not be ruined
any whim of girl. I urge
you to go ahead, not considering me in
the least"
II cannot quite understand SO sud-
den change"
"Perhaps you do not understand
women" she said, and smiled. Surely
you recall who Mr.. Bascom is2'
"Not In the remotest degree"
''But we spoke OF him In the boat
Philip Bascom."
My eyes widened, and caught my
breath.
Good heavensI yes; now recall
the affair. He is the man Fergus Nc
Cam shot in the hotel restaurant. That
was the accident he speaks of. Why,
this Is strange enough to be fiction"
Bascom stood, leaning on his cane,
looking at us, as though failing to COM
prehend what 1t was we were talking
about. Possibly he did not catch our
words clearly. for his white face mp
peared puzzled.
You speak Of met" he asked. ''of my
difficulty with McCannr'
She looked up at him earnestly.
"Yes; 1t is very strange. You should
know the truth. There were three of
us who escaped together when the
yacht sank; Mr.. Hollis, myself and
Fergus McCann."
Bascom Strengthened, his lips pressed
tight.
He IS here now; a guest on board