Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-02

Tony opened his lips He spoke
With painful effort.
Too late ID get past, Would have
10 anchor by Captains Island"
lie pointed At the low, dense mass
OF trees which Miller had noticed
Naturally" Miller answered. That's
let
The threatened change in Tony be
came complete. Ii startled He plac
ed his hands tremblngly on the beak
OF the deck AT Miller's feet. His cheeL,
above the heavy beard had grown
white. His eyes showed the first
3limmer OF revolt Miller had ever de
tected. But strangost OF all. the ma
I'VE. whose hahitual silence was brok
en- only by The most imperative de
mands. burst suddenly into torreniia;
speech.
Miller started back, unwilling 10 be
lieve, because his man. who on occas
ion had displayed the most uncalcu
lating physical bravery, was now eS-
posing shocking cowardice And
why? He scarcely seemed 20 know
himself. The words ran one into The
other with the gulteral accent OF ter.
for. II was something 10 do with
Captains Island II didn't pay to an
Choir there At night. He backed THIS
gpinlon with a flood Of testimony
creeping, lying tales. Miller knew i,
while be tried to shut his eyes -
Them
lie raised his hand to stop this
cruel exhibition He stared into the
frightened eyes. For only moment
the wills of the two men battled. then
the stronger. more intelligent, CON.
quered. Tony's eyes wayored Iii.
auttcral voice ceased
Tony Miller said quietly, with
you or without you, II she can be
coaxed through the channel, the nait
will anchor in Captains Inlet tonieEt
There's the dngy Take il ii Won wish
and row 10 Sandport. You can bring
Il around tomorrow by daylight III
have your money ready"
Tony hesita,ed After II visible
struggle he turned back ~ The wheel
The Darts nose pointed FOR he open
ing.
And. Tony" Miller added, since
YOU seem inclined to stand by the ship
YOU must understand that this nor
sense cannot be repeated
Tony didn't answer yet, knowing
him, Miller felt satisfied but he no
iced that the broad shoulders shook
4 little.
The boat was entering the Snake.
Miller raised his eyes. Perhaps ii was
lhe waning lieht-tor the sun wa7
sctting or some atmospheric trick.
but all AT once Captains Island seem.
ed to have come nearer. The dense
mass of is foliage cut into a flaming
Sky. Stcalihy shadows slipped from
il across the bent marsh grass Mlilet
had a fancy thai il was reaching ont
owIy and surely. For what?
The agents talk of spell came
back 10 him. Was it the spell of III,
place already reaching out for him
He felt suddenly cold. He shiEereG
IT it was the spell of the place it had
found him, for his customary cheer
fulness was finally throttled by !
black heavy depression. lie knew, VI
less The agent had lied, that mon
strous things had happened there
4 Was it possible that Anderson'S let
ter referred 10 their lancied, ncorpor
al suryivals? The fact that the 0ucG
: tion persisted troubled him. l'nthlnk
inoly. he accepted the challenge o.
/ the island. CLOSING his list, he raise,
il AGAINST the line Of forest The alb
~urdity OF his gesture failed to imprc,t
MIN. He descended to The torwart
deck He stepped close to Tony. li'
ried to speak naturally
"Beuer hurry her. Tony 1t mi9htn'
be- Il bad plan 10 get settled in Cay
,ain'S inlet before dark
,TO BE C0NTINl'EDl