Courier Democrat., 1918-01-03

speak, or change her attitude, arose
and walked across the cabin to where
could look out forward.
"Mr Hollis"
Eyes" 1 turned.
81 must decide this? You mean to
leave it all to me?'
"There is no other way"
"But do not know what to say. I
thought at first I could answer yes,
gladly. 7 am not afraid, not the least
bit afraid; and if could only get some
word back to my people in New York
that am safe, would almost welcome
the adventure. I am only a girl, you
know, and II like such things. But
they will worry horribly, for they have
no knowledge of where I am. No one
knows. IL have simply disappeared,
and papa, will have detectives hunt
ing for me, and will have to tell
mother. They will imagine all sorts
of horrid things. And you say it may
be weeks, or even months, before I
could get message to American"
81 am afraid so, Miss Vera I wished
| ot W uli'tlSlttIltl tllS SAtlCl u ulll
"Oh! I do not think that would be
rlght-do you?"
'T thought you might feel that way,
and so made no pledge before telling
you the story. Of course I knew moth
ing of how you were situated; or I'M
der what circumstances you had left
home"
81 stole away unknown to anyone; {;
1t was just lark, a foolish joke. No
one knows where am. If could only
send them word!''
I touched the bent head gently with
my hand.
"Do not worry" said kindly. eve
will give the scheme up entirely, and
head toward the nearest American
port. Perhaps luck may favor us, and
if we meet an American ship, we can
transship you, and then take a chance,
knowing that you are safely homeward
bound"
"But understood you to say that
that would only increase your peril"
"It might, and it might not. At least
: I will not consent to have you impli-
Gated in the affai@ any further than you
are now. I will not sacrifice you to
help our friend yonder save his for
tune. III give him my answer now.'
took a step aft, but paused sudden
ly, for the door of the owners cabin
opened, and he came limping forth,
resting heavily on cane, his white
face clearly revealed in the glare of
the skylight. stepped back beside the
girl, who, aroused by my sudden move.
mcnt, glanced up and saw him. Almost
instantly she WAS upon her feet. hesi-
J tated an instant as though DerpleNed
| at the mans appearance; then ad,
\ vanced and met him.
"NIr. Bascom." she exclaimed, "can
I this indeed be you?'
"You speak my name. certainly" he
\ replied, but gazing into her face seem
y ingly without recognition. "Yet I do
not recall"
ooh, yes, you do; surely you must
4 she interrupted. "Why, you have
changed more than l. Do you not re.
member the moonlight nights at Palm
Beach? The fishing parties along the
| coast?'
"Vera!" he cried, a note Of delight
in his voice. "Of course I remember
but you have become woman, the
very last person in the world 1 expect.
ed to see. And so you are the lady
1 we were fortunate enough 70 rescue
i Mr.. Hollis never even mentioned your
II name."
| "There was no reason why should
I said, "having no thought of your pre-
vious acquaintance. The young lady
and have just bee n discussing the sit.
uation-"
"Wait just oment, MIR. Hollis
J she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas.
= everything Mr.. Bascom is an old
friend"
$50 I Judge; but I do not intend to
l. let that influence your decision"
ri "But it will, and does!" certain
Y impetuous appeal in her voice. 81 did
] not understand before, as I do now
G You are the owner, Mr.. Bascom? This
). is your boat and cargo?"
eyes, Vera; things have not gone
d we'll with me OF late, and my entire for.
t. tune is here" he answered rather bit
terly.
II am sorry; I had not heard. You
e have been terribly i'll, from your looks,
t. and are lame. lit was that affair
It in New York, from which you never
recovered?"
u II was in the hospital for months,
l.. and scarcely hoped to live. That was
when my business went to smash"
;. "Father never told me; and your
y mother?"
|. "Is living in Philadelphia, but in
}. rather straitened circumstances, and
t. i'll; my younger brother has been COM
J. PEELED to leave school and seek employ
. ment." He smiled weakly. II hat
: hoped this voyage would set us all or
our feet again"
3 She released her hand from his