The Dolores star., 1918-04-12


smiling insolence lay . silken force
to match his own. She too had taker
what she wanted from life, but she
had won Il BY indirection. ManifestlJ
she was Of those women who conceive
that charm and beauty are tools t.
bend men to their Wills.
The duslky young woman with the
magazine was the FIRST Of those ON the
upper deck to retire for the night. She
fitted 30 quietly that Gordon did moi
notice until she had gone. Mrs. Self.
ridge and her friends disappeared with
their men folks, calling gay good
nights to one another as they left.
Macdonald and Mrs. Mallory talked.
After q time she too vanished.
The big promoter leaned against the
deck rail. where he was Joined by Self
ridge. For a long time they talked in
low voices. The little man had most to
say, His chief listened, but occasion.
ally interrupted to ask sharp. incisive
question.
Elliot, sitting farther forward with
Strong. Judged that Selfridge was max
ing a report of his trip. Once he
caught fragment Of their talk. enough
to confirm this impression.
ibid Winton tell you that himselfr'
demanded the Scotsman.
The answer of his employee came In
a murmur 80 low that the words were
lost. But the name used told Gordon
a good deal. The commissioner Of the
general land office at Washington
signed his letters Harold b. Winton.
Strong tossed the stub Of his ciga-
rette overheard and nodded good night.
A glance at his watch told Elliot that
1t was past two o'clock. He rose.
stretched and sauntered back to his
stateroom.
The young man had Just taken of
his coat when there came the hurried
rush Of trampling feet upon the hur-
ricane deck above. Almost instantly
he heard a cry Of alarm. He could hear
the shufiing Of footsteps and the sound
Of heavy bodies moving.
Someone lifted a frightened shout.
"Helpl Help!" The call had come,
he thought, from Selfridge.
Gordon flung open the door Of his
room, raced along the deck and took
the stairs three at time. A huddle
of men swayed and shifted heavily In
front Of him.
Even as he ran toward the mass
Elliot noticed that the only sounds
were grunts, stertorous breathings
and the scraping Of feet. The attack
ers wanted no publicity. The attacked
was too busy to waste breath in futile
cries. He was fighting for his life.
Two men. separated from the crowd
lay on the deck farther aft. One was
on top Of the other, his fingers clutch
ing the gullet Of his helpless opponent
The agony Of the man underneath
found expression only In the drumming
heels that beat O tattoo on the floor
The spasmodic feet were shod in OK
ford tans Of an ultra-fashionable cut
No doubt the owner Of the smart foot
wear had been pulled down as he wal
escaping to shout the alarm.
The runner hurdled the two in hi
stride and plunged straight at thu
struggling tangle. He caught one mar
by the shoulders from behind and fiunt
him back. He struck hard, smashing
blows as he fought his way to the hear
Of the melee. Heavy-fsted miners will
corded muscles landed upon his fac
and head and neck. he did not car,
a straw for the odds.
The sudden attack Of Elliot ha(
opened the pack. The man battlini
against a dozen was Colby Macdonald
The very number of his foes hat
saved him so far from being rushet
overheard or trampled down. His Goa
and shirt were In rags. He was bruised
and battered and bleeding from tn,
chest up. But he was still sluggini
hard.
They had him pressed to the rail.
huge miner, head down, had his arm
around the waist Of the Scotsman ant
was trying to throw him overheard
Macdonald dashed out and landed fusl
upon the cheek Of man attempting Il
brain him with billet Of wood. 81,
hammered home a short-arm jol
against the ear Of the giant who wa
giving him the bear grip.
The big miner grunted, but hung OF
like football tackler. With a jerl
| A0 AuASCO 0AdSuOudlu 1EOIu Tue HOO
Just as three or four others rushed hin
again. The rail gave way. splinteret
like kindling wood. The Scotsman ant
the man at grips with him went ovel
the side together.
Clear and loud rang the voice Of Ri
lot. Man overboardw
The wheelsman signaled to the en-
CINE room to reverse and blew short
sharp shrieks of warning.
'Men overboard-two of 'eml" e1
planned Elliot in a shout from the boa
which he was trying to lower.
The first mate and another man rar
to help him. The three of them low
cred and manned the boat. Gordon sal
in the bow and gave directions Will,
the other two put their backs init
the stroke. d.
Across the water came q call fol
help. sTm sinking-hurryi" s...
q