Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-13


the Ajax set her forefoot toward the
open sea, she had TO go on. She was
like fate-nothing could swerve her
from her course save an act Of God.
Who first laid down this immutable
sea law that a ship must never turn
back? No one seems to know. II
IRE breaks out in the hold, they fight
1t: they send out calls for help; but
they do not turn back, save in rare
instances; they keep blowing on.
God knows I'm sorry, lad; but we
dropped our pilot two hours back,
and could not turn around If want
ed to. If what you say is true
there's only one thing to do. Send a
wireless to the American consul gen.
eral, state all the facts and have pa
thence"
Patience? My God. and she left
all her money with me-"
YOU write the wireless and I'll
sign it," said the captain, gently. This
young chaps misery went to his
heart. The consul general viii
watch out for her. She'll report there
the moment she learns she's missed
the boat"
Cant make you understand? She's
been abducted. Haven't i told you
the whole story"
I'm sorry, but ! can't turn back.
Write your wireless. Tell the consul
general to notify the police If your
Tears have any real grounds, the po-
lice dragnet will bring out the facts.
Keep your head. Lots OF people miss
boats. and nothing serious happens.
Besides, I've travelled too many seas
not to know gentleman when see
rim. You've misjudged this man
Camden"
Hell. didn't he fool me for weeks?
Can't you speak the first ship going
west and let me tranship:" William
begged.
II could do that; but Wen meet no
steamer going west. Wen make
: Hongkong on Wednesday morning,
though. and you can pick up the Ger
man-Lloyder which is scheduled to
leave that same night. A matter Of
ten days. and you'll be in Singapore
yourself"
Ten days! She may be dead or
or worse! My God or worse.
They'll be off with her in that yacht"
Mention 1t in the wireless. Come,
III go with you. I'll do everything
humanity can for you, except turn
back"
Poor, love-lorn DEVIL" thought the
captain. The girl was all right. Men
weren't such fools as to pursue in this
fashion. Still, 1t was natural that, be-
3ng deeply in love, William should
Imagine all these horrible calamities.
The girl was probably at this mo.
ment comfortably arranging her af-
fairs at Raff1es, or was at the cable
office awaiting the message she knew
would come.
The long wireless was dispat ched,
and around 9 o'clock came the reply.
IT stated briefly that the consul gen
eral had seen nothing of Miss War
rem for William had given Ruth's
real name), that there was no yacht
named Elsa in the harbor, that no
one by the name Of Colburton or
Camden was registered at any of the
hotels. that the police machinery had
been set in motion, and that as soon
as the consul general heard of Miss
Marrens whereabouts a wire would
be sent.
v II,
tShe hasn't turned up; they can't find
her. ! tell you she's been abducted"
The wireless had disspated good
deal of the captains confidence. But
white mem"
Haven't l been hammering at you
that only their skins are white? But,
by heaven. they'll be whittier when ]
kmeet up with them, damn them"
Not so loud. not so loud" warned
the captain. Buck up! There's only
one thing you can do, Mr.. Grogan.
and that's to wait. Make up your
mind to that And don't let the ship
BEE how you take it,"
"A lot l care what they think" said
William.
So he settled down to wait. and join
ed that body of miserab1es who are
individually designated Tantalus and
Prometheus. only ii was time the gods
dangled before his eyes. while the
eagle tore at his heart.
All night william wandered up and
down the decks. But for the ability
10 ease the pressure by signs, his
heart must have cracked. Whether
his eyes were open or closed. he could
not shut out the internal picture. No
matter where he looked into the
night. he saw her terrified face. he