The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-01-24
CHAPTER xi-continued.

overcast; Il was as II he had looked
into the face OF immortal beauty. "Of
course I love you. Won't you try to
sleep. Idar he asked.
Yes" she answered, releasing her.
self. "But you don't love me. Dom
add knoww
And slowly she withdrew into her
cabin. leaving Donald a prey to intense
bewilderment and despair.
Who was she. this almost invisible
benuty7 Had she followed him here,
aboard the ship. or-swimmIng behind
the submarlnef Was she another spe-
cies of the sen devils7
Suddenly. for the nrst time since
tieir conversation. ne recalled Master
mans words:
n brought my specimen home with
sss. Think Of that. ladi She didn't
want to cot. They don't eat altar they
are mature, Donald"
Now it came to Donald with c0nvic-
ton that the old captain had had ref
asenca t0-this womani
And. stralnlng his eyes through the
darkness. he saw her again.
But this time there was visible upon
her face an expression 30 pitlful that
n almost brought the tears to DON
AIDS eyes.
(, She was watching him with q dumb
yearning Of inexpressible pathos. That
look reminded Donald OF the old leg
end Of the mermaid VINO could obtain
O soul only from some human lover.
An idea came to him. He would 20
up Into the coming tower : In that nar
rpw space he could see her better and
understand what she was.
But as he stood In the passage. ut
the bottom Of the trnpdoor. Clouts ap-
peared before him. II occurred to
Donald afterward that he had been
there for a considerable time.
sTt's all right. siri" said Ciouts.
'sxou told me to call You when you was
70 60 on duty. and It's all right"
"What's all rightf" demanded DON
aid.
''1t's all right. sir. I understand such
things" said Clouts.
''Clouts. what the devil are you talk
ing aboutr'
~It's all right, SIR" replied Clouts
Cor the third time. pointing before him.
And In the passage. not more than
q dozen feet away. Donald saw tho
Woman's form.
HIS anger vanished. He took the
seAilor by the arm.
SClouts." he said. do You suppose
yc could get her into the coming
fnwerf"
II don't know. SIR" said Clouts,
shAsing his head. "If she's willing to
@. SIR. That's the question. SIR"
"Clouts"-DouaId's voice sank to q
vhisper-"you must understand that
this isn't a womnn-at least not n
human one. Ehe's-she's--"
''Qnite 80. II I might say so. or there
abouts." said Clouts.
sAnd DO you think you could get
her there1'
Clouts scratched his head. II sup
pose 30. sir" he answered. .Rnt she'd
have % rome ont again. ycn know"
ssrhat's what I intend" said Donald
desperately. 'Back into the water
through the airlock."
apush her IN, STRIP
sLead her In, Clouts. Put on my
snst and let her follow you. Then.
when you've got her Inside. put on the
lnst diving dress and zee that she
tAat she doesn't come back. don't
Gan you 20 hurt her. she can live
nnder the water. you know. And,
EAile you're about II. Cicuts, 0
snlxht see II you can adjust the rud-
Dr.s
EDr q moment Clouts and his cap
faln looked hard into each others
ms. Then Uoutsr xrim face softcned.
tutting his hands 10 his pocket. he
drew out his mouth organ. and the
ri strains Of .Annie Rooney" went
- into the air. Ciouts played Il
tnrough with quiet resolution.
r.-.ss 49, - 49,.