The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-03-28
CHAPTER xi-Continued.

overcast; II was as II he had looked
into the face Of immortal beauty. "Of
course love you. Won't you try to
sleep, 1dar he asked.
"Yes," she answered, releasing her
self. "But you don't love me, Don
add know"
And slowly she withdrew into her
cabin. leaving Donald prey TO intense
bewi!derment and despair.
Who was she, this almost Invisible
beauty, Had she followed him here,
aboard the ship, o--swimming behind
the submarine7 Was she another spe-
cies of the sea devlls7
Suddenly, for the first time since
their conversation, he recalled Master
mans words:
81 brought my specimen home with
me. Think Of that. ladl She didn't
want TO eat. They don't eat after they
are mature, Donald"
Now II came to Donald with convic-
ton that the old captain had had ref
erence to-this womanl
And. straining his eyes through the
darkness. he saw her again.
but tllls tlInt tntEt WIS NiSiDit upoh
her face an expression so pitlful that
Il almost brought the tears to DON
AIDS eyes.
She was watching him with dumb
yearning Of inexpressible pathos. That
look reminded Donald Of the old leg
end of the mermaid who could obtain
soul only from some human lover.
An idea came to him. He would go
up into the coming tower; in that mar
row space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood In the passage, at
the bottom Of the trapdoor, Clouts ap-
peared before him. II occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
there for considerable time.
''It's all right. sir!' said Clouts.
"You told me to call you when you was
to go on duty, and it's nll right"
"what's all right" demanded Dom
aid.
"It's all right, sir. I understand such
things" said Clouts.
"Clouts. what the devil are you talk
ing aboutf" SEQ
i. "It's all right, SIR" replied Clouts
Tor the third time. pointing before him.
And In the passage, not more than
a dozen feet away. Donald saw the
woman's form.
His anger vanished. He took the
sailor by the arm.
'Clouts," he said, "do you suppose
we could get her into the coming
tower?"
II don't know. SIR" said Clouts,
shaking his head. III she's willing to
60. sir. That's the question, sir"
"Clouts"-Donald's voice sank to n
whisper-"you must understand that
this isn't woman-at least not a
human one. She's-she's-"
"Quite so, II might say so or there
abouts," said Clouts.
"And do you think you could get
her therer
Clouts scratched his head. "I sup.
pose so, sir" he answered. "But she'd
have to come out again, you know
"That's what l intend" said Donald
desperately. "Back into the water
through the airlock."
"Push her in, sir?'
LEAD her In. Clouts. Put on my
coat 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. l dom
mean you to hurt her. She can live
under the water. you know. And
while you're about 1t, Clouts, yor
might see II you can adjust the rud
der"
For a moment Clouts and his cap
tain looked hard into each others
eyes. Then Clouts' grim face softened
Putting his hands to his pocket, HI
drew out his mouth organ, and th'
soft strains OF "Annie Rooney" wen
up into the air. Clouts played 4
through with quiet resolution.
"I'll do II. sir" he said.
Donald turned and saw that tn,
woman of the sea stood exactly wher'
she had been throughout that inter
view. She had not stirred.
He waited while Clouts found tn,
last diving suit In the storeroom, ant
then the two went back into the mess
room. Presently Clouts emerged. en-
cased In his cylinder, and holding tn,
glass mask In his hand. About hi
shoulders he wore Donald's coat. Don
aid waited within.
He heard the coming tower trap
door close. and after that he coul'
hear nothing. He waited an indefinite
time. Suddenly soft spiashing of wa
ter told him that the lower levels o
the sea were being agitated by tn
condensed oxygen in the airlock. Their
followed silence. The sounds wer
cut of abruptly, and for long tim
Donald waited.
His nerves were so tense that whe
Clouts opened the door he started vic
lently. He peered into the sailor