Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-04
venture must be kept from the pub.
lie at all hazards.

venture u De Kept from n pub
lie at all hazards.
persuasion, II really can't give you a
word. You were very good before,
and I'd like to show my s12reciation,
but-well. you see, my lips are sealed.
Captain Conway and Captain Hartley
must have told you all there is to tell.
lAey we're appointed spokesman, and
really. I'm not permitted to speak"
"Oh, come" urged the young news
paper man, you can tell what the OBJ
ject Of the trip a Captain Hartley
admitted it wasn't a pleasure cruise.
What was it? Where were you go
ing?" He halted his questioning for
a second, and then he asked bluntly:
Weren't there any ladies aboard?"
There was nothing to be learned
from Brooke's expression. His face
was graphically imn.obile.
"See here" he said, a sudden re-
solve taken, Il see how unfair 1t is to
ask you to be considerable a second
time. and I'm not going to ask it. But,
just the same. I'm not going to help
you any on this affair. Because, as I
told o before, I can't honestly do
so, But I'll tell you what I will do.
You come to me tonight at the hotel
and Ill give you a story that will be
worth printing, and it will be all your
own"
Young Moore's eyes danced.
What time?" he asked.
make it midnight in the mems
cafe. I'll be on the lookout for you"
Then they shook hands and parted;
the reporter swinging nimbly down
the swaying rope ladder to the wait
ing tug.
When he had gone Brooke's gaze
ran furtively up and down the deck.
He had so much to tell her, and the
hour they would be at the dock. But
she was nowhere in sight.
He walked aft through the misting
rain. but without reward. Then he
tramped forward, with no better re-
suit. After ten minutes of search,
however. he discovered her and Moore
In the saloon, seated in revolving
chairs beside n Of the long empty
dining tables.
now long have I known you,
Brooke?' 1t was in this wise that
the Chicagoan greeted him.
Brooke held up a hand and began
counting his fingers.
"One, two-no,. one and a half
days" he said, laughing.
And in all hat tln,e." returned
the other. you W told me that
you were a hero. and had once saved
the life of Peaches sister,"
Constance Colby smiled fleetingly.
Twice." she corrected.
"Oh, modest hero!" Moore chaffed,
and doubly a hero because SO
modest.
ooh. cut it," Brooke cried, joining
heroic fashion: II. did my duty, and
nothing more. I assure YOU"
His eyes meanwhile were devour-
ing the girl in >reverent admiration.
How wonderful she was! Sltclhg
here, her cheeks flushed. her eyes
bright, n gave sl!a444 evidence OIL an
experience that would have threaten
ed ninety-nine women Of a hundred
with nervous prostratiun.~
b was as thoroughly composed as
II pouring tea In her fathers drawing
room; and yet within twelve hours
she had been drugged and abducted,
on the open sea. What splendid nerve
she possessed.
So far as Brooke knew, no one had
told her yet OF the tragedy, and he
hoped that Moore had not revealed to
her the story of her sisters marriage.
These were matters which she could
learn later. Her own adventure had
been enough to compass and to over
come. He had been very guarded
himself in explaining why Mumtord
desired to kidnapI Annette. He had
simply stated that he had been her
riding master and that. avaricious Of
her fathers wealth. he had planned
the abduction In hope of a ransom.
When Moore went away and left
them alone together. Constance Col.
by reverted to this.
TELL me. Mr.. Brooke" she said.
|perplexed, how you came to know
about my sister. I can't seem to UNI
derstand it."
II met her the first day I was In
New York." he told her.
And you knew that she was my
sister,"
Not then: no." he answered. How
could I? ! did not even know your
name then. / should not have known
at all had It not been that l. saw your
photograph In her rooms. 1t was .,
very strange coincidence. wasn't 1t ?
Marvellous" she commented; and
then she taaked: But where did o
sse herr i came to Nav York -,
peciAlly to- find her, but could ret no